road america

Podium Streak Continues for GMG at Road America

Author GMG Racing
Images GMG Racing
Date September 24, 2019

Continuing a strong summer and fall 2019 season, Global Motorsports Group (GMG Racing) would further continue their run of podium finishes by adding to the collection during Saturday’s round of competition in SRO GT4 America. Taking on double-duty during both the Sprint and SprintX events, Jason Bell would show strong in both, with a highlight of second in the SprintX category alongside teammate and GMG returnee Alec Udell.

“It was great to continue our podium streak,” stated GMG’s James Sofronas. “This weekend was all about spotlighting Jason Bell, and I’m glad he was awarded with a podium. Road America is one of the most challenging tracks in the world, and Jason drove very well. Having Alec Udell back in the fold was fantastic, and together it’s no surprise they were a repeated threat.”

Driving the No. 2 Porsche Cayman 718 GT4 in the SprintX category, Jason would welcome the driving talents of teammate Alec Udell. A veteran of GMG’s driver development system, where he won the 2016 Porsche GT-Cup title, the likable Texas native most recently took the title in the European GT4 Championship. Adding both pace and experience to the combination, the duo would enter Saturday’s Race One a strong contender.

After a strong start, Jason would hold his own during Saturday’s Race One, running competitive times with the lead pack as he ensured the car was kept clean for Alec’s closing stint. Following a strong stop, Udell would take the reigns for the closing half of the race, doing a remarkable job of working his competitors to advance to second where they would finish.

During Sunday’s Race Two, a similar race would unfold, with the duo well primed for another podium finish. Unfortunately, a pit penalty would relegate the team further down the order, ultimately finishing fourth.

In the series’ Sprint category, Bell would take on solo duties, gaining valuable track time in the process. During Saturday’s Race One, the Florida resident would maintain a strong pace to stay on the lead lap to take yet another top-10, while Sunday’s Race Two was unfortunately cut short due to an incident.

With one race remaining, the next round of SRO competition will take place at a new event for the series, heading to the adventures of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway road course. Official practice begins on Friday, October 18, with racing action on the weekend of the 19th and 20th.

GMG to Bring Three Porsches to Road America

Date June 23, 2016

Continuing the team’s commitment to the Pirelli World Challenge, Global Motorsports Group (GMG) will head to this weekend’s 12th and 13th rounds of the GT championship with three cars entered in two categories. Returning to one of the first venues that the team ever competed at, the famed Road America in scenic Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, the team is happy to continue their championship efforts with Alec Udell, as well as welcome the return of drivers Alex Welch and James Sofronas.

“Road America is a great place to return to,” stated team owner and driver James Sofronas. “When we first dipped our toes into racing 15 years ago, Road America was one of the first places at which we’d competed, and we’ve enjoyed many highlights since then. With three cars entered this weekend we’ll definitely be a bit busy, but we’re fortunate to have a great team around us who keep it all working smoothly. Alec is coming in to the weekend leading an extremely close championship. The last few weekends he’s shown tremendous skill and pace, but it’s going to be a tight battle between him and Sloan. Supporting him in GT Cup will be Alex Welch, and it’s great to have him back in the car this weekend as well. Alex is one of the most loyal and gracious members of our family, and I think this track and class should suit him well. It’s great to get back behind the wheel myself, and I’m excited to get this going.”

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Driving the No. 17 Euroworld Motorsports / Panther Pipeline / Amsource Capital Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Alec Udell heads in to this weekend’s 11th and 12th rounds of the GT Cup category with a strong focus on winning to bolster his championship efforts. In what has proven a very tightly contested championship, the Clemson University engineering student currently sits in a tie with championship rival Sloan Urry, with both competitors proving to be very closely matched from weekend to weekend. With the series now entering the second half of the season, the 20-year old knows that winning, coupled with consistency, will be critical.

“This year’s championship fight has been incredible,” stated the Texas native. “It’s been a strong contest every weekend, and it’s really exciting to be competing with such great drivers. The second half of the season is definitely looking like it will be close, any mistakes can cost us valuable points, but we’re all confident that we can perform well. Road America is a great track and I’m ready to be back in GMG’s #17 Porsche to deliver great results!”

Returning to the GT-Cup championship since his debut in Austin, Texas, long-time GMG driver Alex Welch will return to the fold in the No. 08 Morgan Adams Foundation / Torque Branding Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. A veteran of multiple categories and premier races, including running multiple GT races in the Pirelli World Challenge for the last five years, Welch will enter his second-ever GT Cup category race having driven a number of high profile events in a similar style car, including the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and beyond. Returning to one of North America’s most historic courses, the Colorado resident relishes in the challenge.

“Racing at Road America is an opportunity we all really look forward to,” stated Welch. “It’s been a few months since my last Pirelli World Challenge race, but this is a venue that I never want to miss, and it should deliver some excellent racing. As you can see from Alec’s results, everyone at GMG has done a great job getting to understand the current GT3 Cup car, and we’re optimistic for a strong performance on our side.”

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Finally, returning to the premier GT category once again will be James Sofronas in the No. 14 Spyder / Mobil 1 / The Thermal Club Porsche 911 GT3 R. Continuing his focus on the engineering and development of their machine, the Villa Park resident examines every race weekend as an opportunity to further the team’s understanding and development of the car in their efforts to enhance the company’s street-tuning division. Making no secret of the translation between the team’s motorsport and street-car efforts, Sofronas is proud of his team’s efforts. “We’re very proud of our racing heritage, but ultimately every lap we turn furthers the capability of our tuning business,” stated Sofronas.

“With the all-new GT3 R, we knew that we were going to be handed a very sophisticated vehicle with a state-of-the-art approach to everything that makes it work. We’ve learned a lot over the year, and with the long straights and fast corners of Road America, we will continue to only further our product.”

Official practice for this weekend’s event begins on Friday, June 24, with Race One taking place on Saturday, June 25 at 5:30PM ET. Race Two will take place the following morning on Sunday, June 26, at 10:55AM ET.

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