world challenge

Sofronas Gains 14 Positions En Route to Season-Best Finish at Long Beach

Date April 21, 2015

Despite an incident packed event that only saw a limited number of laps under green flag conditions, James Sofronas and the entire Global Motorsports Group (GMG) organization took a season-best finish of seventh during yesterday’s 41st Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Gaining fourteen positions in only a handful of laps, not only was it Sofronas’ best finish of the year, but he would also receive the VP Racing Fuels “Hard Charger” award for passing more cars than anyone else. Adding to the success of the weekend, both David Welch and Brent Holden would also enjoy strong showings, with all three cars seeing the checkered flag and incurring virtually no damage.

“It was a chaotic race for sure, and one that we all hate to see for the fans,” stated Sofronas. “Despite all the yellows, however, all three of our cars came through it cleanly, and that is exactly what we need headed to Barber this weekend. The guys made a setup call for the race that was absolutely the right move, it was a good feeling to be able to make so many passes. We had a strong car and this provides excellent momentum as we head to one of our best tracks. It was also great to see David and Brent survive through all the carnage. They drove with incredible patience and that’s how we’re able to load three cars on our trailer in race-ready form. It’s very unfortunate just how many teams have extensive damage to repair before this coming event and in that sense we’re very fortunate.”

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Following a disappointing qualifying effort that left the No. 14 Spyder / The Thermal Club / Mobil 1 Audi R8 LMS ultra mired in the 11th row, the team knew than an emphasis on passing would be key for their Sunday chances. Getting a great jump during Sunday’s standing start, the Villa Park, California resident was up several positions when the first of several caution flags flew before he’d even made Turn One. Pulling another great move during the race’s second restart, the No. 14 machine would find itself within sight of the top-10 before the race’s midway point, having only run three laps of green. With incident after incident continuing to slow the race, James knew that maximizing his restarts would be critical with the recurring theme of caution periods, and he did so brilliantly, eventually moving to seventh and never looking back as the race came to an end.

After a three-year absence from Pirelli World Challenge competition, David Welch in the No. 21 numerix Audi R8 LMS ultra would also enjoy a banner event, gaining sixteen spots en route to a 5th place finish in the GTA category. Welch, who last took to the series in Detroit 2012, drove a tactical event, knowing full well the potential for incidents. Finding himself in the chaotic middle of the pack, David kept remarkably patient, utilizing the restarts to full advantage and gaining with every green flag lap.

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“I’m really happy we were able to keep the car clean,” stated Welch. “I couldn’t believe how long we were under yellow and with all the chaos around it just seemed to be endless. Knowing how this was going, I put a premium on just running clean, and it worked out exactly as I’d hoped. A fifth place finish is not a bad way to mark my return, and I look forward to my next race.”

Finally, also enjoying a top-10 in the GTA category would be local driver Brent Holden. Driving the No. 44 machine, Brent also took advantage of the attrition to gain ten spots on the day, ultimately finishing 10th. In addition, Holden also set some of the best lap times he’s ever run at the circuit, a testament to the team’s recent practice runs performed at The Thermal Club, near Palm Springs, as well as extensive data analysis.

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“You hate to see this kind of race for the fans, but I’m happy that our car had a minimal amount of damage,” stated Holden. “It seemed like every time we went green there was another incident right around me and I’m thankful we were able to get through all of it. Everyone at GMG did their usual superb job of running through the data and getting me up to speed and all-in-all I was very happy with how we performed.”

In addition to the on-track action, GMG once again enjoyed their place front and center in the Long Beach Convention Center, with several cars and accessories on display. With the event welcoming tens of thousands of race fans, the Santa Ana-based team was happy to host local fans and enthusiasts, introducing the team’s many partners and tuning products to the public.

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With no time to reflect, GMG and the rest of the Pirelli World Challenge is already en route to their next event, taking place at the scenic Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, where they will take to the track on Thursday. Race One will take place on Saturday, April 25, followed by a second round on Sunday, April 26. The team will provide updates and coverage throughout the weekend.

Madison Snow to Join GMG for Pirelli World Challenge Opener

Date March 2, 2015

Joining the team for this weekend’s season-opening round of the Pirelli World Challenge at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, Global Motorsport Group (GMG) is proud to announce the addition of 19-year-old standout Madison Snow to the lineup.

“I couldn’t be happier to bring Madison into our program,” stated GMG team owner and co-driver James Sofronas. “At a very young age, Madison has been extremely impressive at the top levels of our sport, and he should acclimate well to our way of working. Even though he’s become something of a Porsche specialist, I’m very confident he’ll be able to jump right into our Audi and the series’ sprint format and immediately contend. We make a very conscious effort to arm our drivers with a comprehensive amount of data, setup information, and more so that they can jump right in and be comfortable.”

Hailing from Lehi, Utah, Madison Snow has been a standout within the IMSA ranks. Making his first full-season effort last year in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, Madison was an instant contender in the new series. Opening his championship effort with a podium at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, followed by additional podiums at Road America and the season-ending Petit Le Mans, Snow managed a seventh place ranking in the standings in his first season. In 2013, the then 17-year-old took an impressive seven victories en route to a championship in the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge.

Having previously competed in two rounds of Pirelli World Challenge competition, Snow will make his Audi debut in the No. 21 Santa Cruz Bicycles / UIS Audi R8 LMS ultra, joining a four-car effort campaigned by GMG. With teammates Alec Udell, Alex Welch and James Sofronas, Snow’s first race with both the series and marque will be aided by the team’s vast experience. Taking advantage of the team’s extensive collection of data and setup history with the Audi, compounded by two decades of history in the series, Madison will return to the circuit where he narrowly missed the podium during the 2014 TUDOR race.

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“I’m really looking forward to the whole event this weekend,” stated Snow. “The Pirelli World Challenge has a lot of momentum behind it, and it is great to return. The sprint format is nothing new to me from my experience in the GT3 Cup and Prototype Lites, but obviously the level of competition and quality of teams will make it a real challenge. The Audi R8 LMS ultra has always been a tough car to compete against in other series, so it should be an interesting experience to finally get behind the wheel of one. GMG is one of the most experienced teams in the paddock so I’m confident I’ll have plenty of data to work from. Thanks to everyone at the team and especially Santa Cruz Bicycles for making this opportunity possible.”

The No. 21 will feature sponsorship from Santa Cruz Bicycles and Universal Industrial Sales, Inc. (UIS). With dealerships around the world, Santa Cruz Bicycles is recognized as one of the premier mountain bike manufacturers. Founded in 1993 in Santa Cruz, California, the company has focused on developing state-of-the-art technology behind their bicycles, currently manufacturing 12 models. To learn more, visit www.santacruzbicycles.com.

UIS is a steel fabrication company located in Lindon, Utah. It is among the largest suppliers of sign structures and highway products in the western United States. The company’s strategic intent is to become one of the premier manufacturers of overhead sign structures, guardrail, bridge rail and custom fabricated steel highway products in the country. Universal is dedicated to satisfying its customers. They consistently provide their customers with excellent service, superb quality, on-time deliveries, flexible lead times and competitive pricing.

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.”

Richard Prince PhotographyMaking 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.”

SON_6734Following 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.”

SON_6446Adding 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.

222A1311“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.