GMG Racing Press Release
SANTA ANA, Calif. (August 1, 2014)- Following a relatively quiet few rounds of the Pirelli World Challenge, Global Motorsports Group (GMG) will head to the historic Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in search of renewed form. Continuing another four-car line up in to this weekend’s Honda Indy 200, the team looks forward to returning to another permanent road course, where the Audi fleet has shown relative strength.
“We’re really hoping to turn things around this weekend,” stated GMG team owner James Sofronas. “This should be a good track for us, and in that I’m confident Andrew will shine through again, as will Bill. Alex is back with us as well, and he will be a welcome addition, having run some really big events at the beginning of the year. We’re really looking to rebound this weekend, and I’m confident we can.”
Driving the No. 21 Spyder / The Thermal Club Audi R8 LMS ultra, 20-year old Andrew Palmer comes in to the event as the top ranked contender for the team. Arriving at yet another circuit where he’s had no experience, having only driven in his first proper car race 10 months ago, Palmer is excited about the prospect of competing at a permanent road course. With the twisty nature of the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course being the closest configuration to where the Pomona College student took his first win at Barber Motorsports Park just three months ago, anticipation is high for this weekend’s double-header.
“Mid Ohio is definitely a track where we’re hoping for good things,” stated Palmer. “The last few races have gotten away from us, but this weekend we all feel we can get it turned around. The guys have been working hard to find some new areas in the car that can help us run a little faster, and I’ve been studying everything I can to gain speed here, so hopefully we’re in good shape.”
In the No. 14 Mobil 1 / The Thermal Club / Spyder Audi R8 LMS ultra, James Sofronas arrives looking for renewed form after a fairly quiet few weeks. With hopes that the team’s return to a familiar venue may help in their preparation, the Villa Park, California resident is aiming at podium results.
“It would be great to finally come home with some hardware,” stated Sofronas. “We had such an amazing year in 2013 that we knew this year would be tough. It’s such a strong field, and only getting more competitive, so we’re doing everything we can to raise our game and compete.”
Continuing on in the No. 95 Swisher Racing machine, Bill Ziegler looks forward to returning to a permanent road course. Just six weeks ago at Road America, another permanent road course, the Florida native took his first series podium.
“Traffic at Mid Ohio is always at a premium,” stated Ziegler. “Coming in to this weekend we know that we’ll have to navigate the traffic very carefully, as it’s really tough to pass. If we can manage that and stay out of trouble, I know we’ll have another shot at a podium.”
Finally, returning to the fray for his first run in the all-new GT-A category, Alex Welch looks forward to stepping in to the No. 76 / GMG / Prestige Imports / Morgan Adams Foundation machine. Having missed the first half of the year to take part in such events as The Rolex 24 at Daytona as well as The 12 Hours of Sebring, Welch returns to the series with a wealth of experience, and should be an instant contender.
“Mid-Ohio is an excellent course to return to, and I think we can deliver a good result,” stated Welch. “A track with this many medium-speed corners should hopefully play in to our hands, and looking at the strength of the GT-A field I think we should be able to mix right in. It will be great to get back behind the wheel, and it’s great to rejoin the team.”
Official practice for the event begins tomorrow, August 1, at 3PM. Live race coverage will once again be featured on world-challengetv.com the following day at 11:50AM, followed by Race Two on Sunday, August 3, at 1:30PM.
About GMG
Founded in 2001 by James Sofronas and Fabryce Kutyba, GMG has quickly established itself as North America’s premier performance tuning and racing facility. What began as a small 1200 sq. ft. shop, maintaining two race cars, has grown into a 30,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art performance tuning, racing and service facility located in (Orange County) Santa Ana, California. The staff's experience, attention to detail, and passion are what make GMG the choice of professionals and enthusiasts world wide. Whether you want to maximize the performance of your street car, or race wheel-to-wheel on both amateur and professional racing series across North America, GMG’s reputation for service and quality is unmatched.
Learn more at www.gmgracing.com
About Spyder
Spyder was founded by avid skier and outdoor athlete David Jacobs. He rose to world-class rankings as a competitive skier, and stayed connected to the sport he loves by coaching, designing related products, and building one of the most powerful brands in the industry. His dedication to the sport of skiing and the Spyder brand is as inspiring as it is intriguing. Spyder's growth exploded over the turn of the century, and the company is now the largest ski-specialty brand in the world. David has recently discovered the adrenaline rush in racing classic Formula One cars, finding success - not surprisingly - in this new pastime. For a man who's thrived on sports, technology, and professional advancement, the world is sure to see David go a few more times around the track.
Learn more at www.spyder.com
About The Thermal Club
The Thermal Club is the premier private motorsports facility in the world. In addition to 4.5 miles of members-only racetrack, the Club facilities include a fully amenitized Clubhouse and Village unrivaled in the motorsports world. All 4.5 miles of our exquisite racetrack are designed to push both amateurs and professionals to their limit, giving members the thrill of driving at peak performance amidst the endless desert skies. Featuring three different private circuit configurations, trackside villas, a motorsport village with a state-of-the-art clubhouse, tuning shop, a fuel island, as well as member storage garages, The Thermal Club will bring the country club lifestyle to Southern California’s diverse car culture. More information can be found at www.thethermalclub.com.
About Mobil 1
Conventional oil is simply refined crude oil. Mobil 1 synthetic oil, however, is not only refined, but it is also distilled, purified, and broken down into its basic molecules. It is then rebuilt and added to, so that it can better protect against wear, high heat, cold weather and sludge buildup. Ultimately, this process helps your car’s engine run better for longer. You can explore more about these benefits below.
Learn more at www.mobiloil.com
Photo credit: Pirelli World Challenge
