GT3 cup Archives - GMG Racing

Victory Sweep at Thermal Highlights 2017 Plans for GMG

Date	February 14, 2017

Servicing seven Porsches throughout the first round of The Thermal Club’s emerging “Triple Crown” racing series last weekend, the depth and quality of Global Motorsport Group (GMG) shined as the team prepares for a full assault on the upcoming 2017 racing season.

Winning both races outright as well as in multiple classes, the team collected nine trophies over the event weekend, servicing a full Porsche fleet that included: four Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsports, two Porsche 911 GT3 Cup vehicles, as well as the top-tier Porsche 911 GT3R.

Turning the team’s attention to the 2017 season, where it has already committed to competing in the Pirelli World Challenge, Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA, as well as additional grassroots series, GMG’s commitment to next year stands well ahead of many of its competitors, particularly in the fact that it heads in to next year with a legitimate foundation, not just the promise of one.

“We’re not a team that will make claims to show up based on some vague notion of reality, we’re looking toward 2017 because we’re fully staffed and prepared for it,” stated GMG’s James Sofronas. “This weekend we were lucky enough to see seven cars race under our umbrella, in a variety of Porsches and featuring drivers who came with a variety of experience levels. I’m proud of the fact that every one of them had a great experience, and our veteran team of technicians, engineers and driving coaches were able to provide an unparalleled service to all of them.”

As a team built on providing a variety racing opportunities to suit the experience and interest level of the driver, the team’s comprehensive understanding of all-things Porsche, whether it be the entry-level Cayman GT4 Clubsport, the established 911 GT3 Cup, or the aspirational GT3R, makes the team a perfect fit for racing at all levels.

After taking a commanding championship with 12 victories in the Pirelli World Challenge GT Cup category with driver Alec Udell, GMG’s commitment to the series remains unchanged, with multiple entries expected in 2017.

Newest to the fold is the team’s recent support of the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport, of which the team is already supporting four machines. As a mid-engine vehicle producing around 385hp, the car acts as a perfect entrée to motorsports for the less experienced, all while enjoying the excellence expected with a Porsche vehicle.

Most notably, the car will be eligible to race in a variety of categories in 2017, not only in several Porsche-based club categories, but also the Pirelli World Challenge’s GTS category, where drivers can visit some of the most famed tracks in North America, and competing against top teams and drivers.

During this weekend’s Thermal Club races, GMG’s experience with the GT4 paid tremendous dividends, with victory and podiums seen for all of the team’s entrants with the prolific machine.

Taking the top-step of the podium would be team newcomer Hutton McKenna, who took to immediate pace in his GT4 Clubsport, taking pole on Saturday and converting that to lead every lap in his class, ultimately taking the victory.

Not to be outdone, taking part in his first-ever car race was development protégé Charlie Yuma. Charlie, who first began working with GMG many years ago on several streetcar projects, has become a signature member of the team, starting with his first track days before eventually making the full commitment to GT4 competition. Driving with a maturity beyond his years, Yuma was impressive all weekend, not putting a scratch on the car despite engaging in some impressive wheel-to-wheel races. This would be accented with a second-place finish, which was a remarkable achievement for someone who’d never taken part in a race prior.

Finally, also taking part in the weekend was team newcomer Elias Sabo, the team’s latest entry in to the driver development program. Sabo, who went from casual interest in track-day events to taking part in full-fledged racing, showed tremendous patience throughout the weekend, making zero mistakes and walking away with dual trophies as he took home podium finishes on both days of racing.

Beyond having a dedicated team of technicians on all of their cars, the three newcomers were also welcomed with professional coaching and data support by none other than Alec Udell, who happily went through every inch of data and visual support to help the trio achieve a podium sweep on Saturday.

Meanwhile, GMG’s support of the ever-present Porsche 911 GT3 Cup remained as strong as ever, with the team supporting drivers Kevin Westcott and Alex Welch. Campaigning the same type of machine that the team won 12 races with during this season’s Pirelli World Challenge campaign, the team’s depth of experience continued with a victory and podium for both drivers. Welch, a team veteran who has driven some of the biggest events in the world with GMG, including The Rolex 24 at Daytona as well as 12 Hours of Sebring, had a rough start during Saturday’s Race One when he was tagged from behind during the start and ended up spinning to a halt in the first turn. Not one to be complacent, the Colorado resident wasted no time getting back up to speed, picking up positions with every lap and eventually finding himself back to the lead in his class before the race would end, taking an impressive victory to add to his tally.

Kevin Westcott, meanwhile, continued an impressive development season, showing vast improvement from his first race 10 months ago to drive clean races all weekend, eventually taking home third place honors on Saturday.

Sharing duties in the top fledge Porsche 911 GT3R, Brent Holden and James Sofronas would race on Saturday and Sunday respectively, taking easy victories overall thanks in part to a year’s worth of experience that both drivers and crew have shared after competing with the machine in the Pirelli World Challenge GT and GTA categories.

Looking toward 2017, the team has not only demonstrated an amazing ability to provide unparalleled service to their clients, but continue to offer an increased line of services to new and prospective racers.

With the team committed to not only Pirelli World Challenge competition, but a number of series and big races around the country, we welcome any and all inquiries toward 2017.

Full Roster for GMG in Utah

Date	August 12, 2016

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GMG Begins New Porsche Chapter with Pirelli World Challenge Season Opener

Date	February 18, 2016

With many of Global Motorsport Group’s (GMG) greatest motorsport achievements coming in Porsche machinery, the upcoming Pirelli World Challenge season-opener at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas will mark a new chapter for the Southern California-based team, one that includes a return to the famous marque.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to compete with many of the greatest marques over the years,” stated GMG team owner and driver James Sofronas, “but when we look over the years, our heritage with Porsche has been one of the most pronounced in our company’s history. It will be great to make a full return with Porsche in Austin, we’re excited to return to our roots in a way.”

While the aftermarket and performance tuning side of GMG’s business has built a reputation for enhancing a number of exotic vehicles over the years, the team’s history in racing has been firmly ensconced with Porsche machinery. Beyond competing with Porsche to earn the first victories for the team in the Pirelli World Challenge, GMG also played an instrumental role in Porsche’s Pirelli World Challenge Manufacturer’s Championships in 2008 and 2009. Adding to that victories at Long Beach and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, runner-up championship finishes in the series, as well as competing at events such as the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Rolex 24 at Daytona, the return to the brand seemed a logical fit with the debut of the all-new Porsche 911 GT3 R.

Running three-cars strong, GMG will enter the opening round with one entry in the premier GT category, as well as two entries in the spec GT-Cup class.

Leading off the trio in the GT category will be the No. 14 Mobil 1 / The Thermal Club Porsche 911 GT3 R of James Sofronas. While the team owner has not raced Porsche machinery in the series since 2012, the team’s deep entrenchment in Porsche-based club racing and production categories over recent years should bode well for Sofronas, who expects a smooth transition in the switch back.

“While this will be my first time competing in a Porsche at Circuit of the Americas, I don’t believe it will be a huge step thanks to all of our experience over the years,” stated Sofronas. “Having raced during the last three COTA events for the series, combined with my understanding of Porsche dynamics, it should be a pretty smooth transition. Unfortunately, the timing has worked out that it will be the first time we’re able to do some serious laps in the car, so inevitably there will be some adjustments, but we’re all excited to take to the track.”

Returning to the series’ GT-Cup category, a spec-class built specifically for Porsche’s prolific 911 GT3 Cup 991 machine, will be Alec Udell. Hailing from nearby Woodlands, Texas, Alec is coming off a tremendous 2015 season. Competing in the same category, Udell took 13 podiums in 14 starts, including two victories. Being forced to miss four events due to damage sustained from an early-season incident, Udell was a clear championship contender had he been able to run the full championship.

In 2016, the goal for Alec and the No 17 Euroworld Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is set to resume his championship challenge.

“I’m very excited to be back with GMG for the 2016 Pirelli World Challenge racing season,” stated Udell. “After the successes from last season with James, Nev, and the GMG crew I’m ready to jump back into the car and pickup where we left off! I’d also like to announce a continuing partnership with Euroworld Motorsports out of Houston Texas, a key part to the success in the second half of my 2015 season I can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store.”

Additionally, representing the team in the series’ GT-Cup category will be long-time team veteran Alex Welch, driving the No. 08 machine. Hailing from Colorado, Welch has already been off to a strong start in 2016, taking dominant back-to-back victories during The Thermal Club’s first event of the season, held in mid-January to get back in to the swing of things. No stranger to the challenges of Circuit of the Americas, Welch will head to the event for the third year in succession.

“Circuit of the Americas is unlike any circuit on the calendar, so it’s always exciting to head back,” stated Welch. “It doesn’t really seem that long ago that the 2015 season ended, but it will be nice to get off to a good start. We’re entering a new era for everyone at GMG and I’m happy to be a part of it, it should be a fun event.”

While the entries of Sofronas, Udell and Welch will present a formidable challenge during the upcoming season-opener, long-time team veteran Brent Holden will also return to the team for the upcoming Sprint-X championship, which will make its debut at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Canada, on May 21-22. As an endurance-focused, two-driver event, Holden will partner with James Sofronas in the No. 14 Porsche 911 GT3 R.

Practice for the season-opening round will begin Thursday, March 3, with the first of two races taking place at 2:30PM CT on Saturday, March 5. Race Two will take place nearly 24 hours later at 2:15PM on Sunday, March 6.

Udell, GMG Continue Podium Streak in Sonoma

Date	September 1, 2015

Continuing a streak that has seen him on the podium in 12 of the 13 Pirelli World Challenge races he’s competed in this year, Global Motorsports Group’s (GMG) Alec Udell extended his impressive season with a second-place finish during Sunday’s Grand Prix of Sonoma.

“Of course, after coming off of a win the previous day, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want a little more, but we should be proud of our run,” stated Udell. “All of the guys did an excellent job preparing the car as always, and we had a great Porsche through the whole run. With a yellow or a small change of fortune we might have had a run for the front, but it just wasn’t meant to be. We’re continuing to learn, and headed to Laguna Seca I’m confident we’ll have a good shot.”

Starting from the front row in the No. 17 Euroworld Motorsports / Panther Pipeline Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 991, a first lap incident with the GT category in front of him would put the field under caution before he’d even reached the first turn, with the “real” race start coming several laps later.

As the field went green for the second time, a brief battle with driver Sloan Urry would serve as the primary excitment for the No. 17 machine, with Udell eventually building a gap to Urry and the field behind him, and all focus turned on race leader Colin Thompson.

Unfortunately, with the race staying green until the end, the gap to Thompson was simply too large and Alec would eventually cross the finish line in second.

It would serve as the 10th consecutive podium for Alec, and 12th in 13 races. While an early season incident would force the 19-year-old to miss several races, he still sits fourth in the GT-Cup standings with one race to go.

The entire Pirelli World Challenge will return to action in less than two weeks’ tim, with the season finale taking place just a few hundred miles south at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Practice begins on Thursday, September 10, with the race taking place on Sunday, September 13.

Udell, GMG Take Third Victory of Season in Sonoma

Date	August 30, 2015

Continuing an impressive campaign that has seen him take victory during the last two weekends of the Pirelli World Challenge series, Global Motorsport Group’s (GMG) Alec Udell took an impressive third victory in the GT Cup class during today’s Race One of the Grand Prix of Sonoma.

“This was just an incredible day, I can’t thank everyone at GMG enough for it,” stated Udell. “We’ve been fast all weekend and knew we had a shot, and everything just seemed to go our way. My crew chief, Neville, was with me on the radio the whole race keeping me on top of what was happening and we were able to capitalize when the opportunity came to take victory. We can’t enjoy it for too long since we have a race tomorrow morning, but I’m certainly going to savor the day.”

Driving the No. 17 Panther Pipeline / Euroworld Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 991, confidence was high headed into today’s sprint race. After setting top times throughout practice, the 19-year-old would start second for today’s Race One, making immediate work of pole-sitter Colin Thompson during the start, jumping to the lead by time they approached the first turn.

Engaged in a heated fight, Thompson would get back around, however would fail to run away from Alec who stayed engaged on Thompson throughout the entirety of the race. With the race managing to run without a single caution period, tire management became a key factor in the event with Udell once again doing a masterful job of driving tactically and managing his machine.

With just over 10 minutes remaining in the race, Alec’s strategy of keeping pressure on the leader would prove fruitful, with Thompson sliding off while under heavy braking, and handing the lead to Udell for the closing laps.

Alec would never look back as he ran down the clock taking yet another victory in a breakthrough season. It would serve as his third victory in as many weekends and his 11th podium in 12 races.

Race Two will take place tomorrow at 10:55AM PT with live coverage available on world-challengetv.com.

GMG Confirms Four Car Effort in Pirelli World Challenge Series

Date	January 31, 2015

Now entering their 14th season of Pirelli World Challenge competition, one of the longest-running teams in the series, Global Motorsports Group (GMG), will once again return with four entries to the championship. Beyond the return of drivers James Sofronas, Alex Welch and Brent Holden, GMG will also welcome young talent Alec Udell to the series’ all-new GT-Cup category.

“We’ve been committed to the Pirelli World Challenge for over a decade now, and it’s remarkable to see how the series has grown,” stated GMG team owner and driver James Sofronas. “The growth and momentum that we’ve seen in the last few years is absolutely staggering, and we’re proud to be a part of it. We’re now entering our fourth year with the Audi R8, and the experience accrued will really help with both our performance and driver development. In all honesty, I’d been considering pulling myself out of the car this year, but when two of my closest friends, Alex Welch and Brent Holden decided to return, it just made sense to come back. Adding Alec Udell to the all-new GT-Cup class will be a really strong addition, as not only will Alec be very competitive, but our decades of experience with Porsche Cup machinery should really elevate his development. Additionally, it’s great to have such partners as Spyder, The Thermal Club, and Mobil 1 all back with us for 2015, and we’re excited to continue our growth and development together.”

Making his debut for the team in the all-new Porsche GT-Cup class will be 19-year old Alec Udell. Now entering his fifth year of Pirelli World Challenge competition, Alec has achieved a number of accolades in the series’ GTS category, including three podiums and 11 top-five finishes. Taking part in GMG’s renowned driver development program, Udell will enter the next chapter of GMG’s history with Porsche. Not only has the team competed at such events as The Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in Porsche machinery, but GMG also played a critical role in Porsche’s manufacturer’s championships in 2008 and 2009.

“It’s exciting to join GMG for this next chapter in my career,” stated the 19-year-old. “The team has a great reputation within the paddock, and our goals are set very high for a strong season. A lot of people say that learning a Porsche is unlike any other sports car out there, and I’m fortunate to join a team with such vast experience. Beyond that, the team has had some great results over the years, and I’m hoping to add my name to it.”

Following a quiet 2014 season, James Sofronas and the No. 14 Audi R8 LMS ultra will headline the team’s GT efforts at the season-opening round on March 7. As the first-ever driver to win with the Audi R8 in World Challenge competition, James nearly took the series’ GT championship in 2013, taking the title all the way to the season finale.

Rejoining the team will be long-time GMG driver Brent Holden. Hailing from Newport Beach, California, Brent has been a long-time veteran of the team, having competed in a number of categories and events over the years, starting in the Porsche GT3 Cup and currently in the Audi R8 LMS ultra. Entered in the sportsman-designed GTA category, Holden’s speed and patience should make him a strong contender.

“GMG’s attention to driver development and providing a comfortable atmosphere is unlike any other,” stated Holden. “I really enjoy my time not only with the team, but taking part in all that the Pirelli World Challenge has to offer. The series features many of my favorite tracks, exciting cars, and a competitive racing format; combined with the experience that James and the team offer, I look forward to returning.”

Adding to the team’s GT lineup will be the return of another long-time member of the organization, Alex Welch. A multi-year veteran of the series, Welch and his Audi R8 LMS ultra showed strong last year, including capping his season off with a GTA-class podium during the final weekend of 2014.

“It’s always exciting to return to GMG and the Pirelli World Challenge,” stated Welch. “The GTA class is extremely competitive, but the team has done a great job getting us prepared and the access to driver data, coaching, and all the other assets that the team has to offer goes a long way. The series looks to be bigger than ever, but it’s a challenge we’re all excited for.”

Additionally, GMG will continue their multi-year partnership with Spyder, Mobil 1, and The Thermal Club. Spyder, most known for its outerwear designed for winter enthusiasts, has recently begun the promotion of a new warm weather line. Partnering with a number of motorsport entities, the brand’s Spyder GT line is available now. Additionally, GMG will once again continue their association with Mobil 1 who has been a long-time motor oil supplier for all of GMG’s programs. Finally, the company’s affiliation with The Thermal Club, a motorsport country club-style facility located near Palm Springs, will also continue in 2015.

The opening round of the Pirelli World Challenge will take place from March 6-8 at a standalone event in Austin, Texas, at the famed Circuit of the Americas.

While the team currently has four entries locked in, the ability to expand remains an option with several other programs still in discussion. GMG will continue to make additional announcements as the program expands.

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