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Two-Car CTSC Entry for GMG at Daytona

GMG Racing will field two Audi R8 LMS GT4 machines in the CTSC opener at Daytona…

Photo: GMG

GMG will make its return to IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge competition with a pair of Audi R8 LMS GT4 machines for this month’s season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

Competing in the season-opening BMW Endurance Challenge, GMG will re-join with Audi Sport customer racing to debut the new GT4-spec Audi, with returning sponsor CrowdStrike Racing and driver George Kurtz joining forces with series champion Andrew Davis and James Sofronas, as well as a second car for team newcomer Daren Jorgensen, who will be joined by endurance champion Cameron Lawrence and British GT champion Rick Parfitt, Jr.

“We couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to return to IMSA competition,” stated GMG team owner and driver James Sofronas.

“GT4 is an impressive global platform that North American sports car racing has very wisely adopted, and Audi’s new R8 LMS is built on a proven platform with a level of support we’ve come to expect.

“This is a logical progression for CrowdStrike Racing and George Kurtz after an impressive 2017 season, and with veterans like Andrew and myself we should be strong.

“Daren Jorgensen is a great addition to our group and development platform, and I expect the addition of Cameron and Rick will prove fruitful.”

After competing at the same event one year ago, GMG’s 2018 campaign will feature a number of firsts. Most notably, the team will be part of a national debut for the Audi R8 LMS GT4, the latest in the marque’s fleet of customer-driven GT machines.

With two entries, the team will compete in the GT4-driven GS category of the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, with three drivers per car in the four-hour season opener.

Driving the CrowdStrike No. 14 Audi R8 LMS GT4, a series of veterans will make up the team’s pursuit of victory. Making his series debut, George Kurtz will enter the event following an incredible 2017 championship in the Pirelli World Challenge GTS category.

A similarly spec’d GT4-based series, Kurtz won an incredible nine races en route to the GTSA series title, suiting him well for the demands of the upcoming IMSA effort.

Joining Kurtz will be Sofronas, also coming off an incredible 2017 that saw him take two separate titles in the Pirelli World Challenge, and finally the venerable Andrew Davis, a former Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS champion.

The second team entry will be the No. 13 Audi R8 LMS GT4, featuring a mxture of enthusiasm and experience.

Headlining in his first ever Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race, team newcomer and car owner Jorgensen, will come after a strong club racing season featuring two class championships and over 20 podium finishes, not to mention competing in multiple Touring Car races during the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge season.

Joining Jorgensen will be Rick Parfitt, Jr., a rock and roll musician and the first double British GT Champion after winning GT4 and GT3 classes, as well as Cameron Lawrence, a veteran of sports car competition with multiple Trans-Am series championships and a title in the IMSA North American Endurance Cup.

The latest sports car racing news from trusted series, manufacturer and team sources based around the world.

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