RAFA Racing Merges with Smooge for Expansive Program

Photo: Fred Hardy/SRO

RAFA Racing and Smooge Racing have merged operations ahead of an expansive 2025 program that will include entries in no fewer than four series in IMSA and SRO America competition next year.

Announced on Tuesday, the combined effort will run under the RAFA Racing Team banner and field Toyota Supra GT4 EVO2 entries in Michelin Pilot Challenge, VP Racing SportsCar Challenge and Pirelli GT4 America.

Additionally, the team will have a multi-car presence in the IMSA-sanctioned Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America and and outside partnership with RAFA Racing branding and drivers in the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup.

Driver lineups for each of the programs will be announced in the coming weeks.

The merger comes after Smooge’s John Geesbreght retired racing mid season in GT4 America this year, leaving the Kevin Conway-led operation seeking new partners for 2025.

Launched in 2023, RAFA, standing for ‘Race as Family Always’, took part in McLaren Trophy Europe Series, GT4 European Series and Porsche Sprint Challenge North America competition.

“This was not necessarily an opportunity we were searching for, but merging our efforts with Kevin’s makes perfect sense for the RAFA Racing team, our program, and our future goals,” said RAFA Racing founder Rafael Martinez.

“We’ve worked with some fantastic teams over the past couple of years, but this relationship and the existing partnerships with Toyota Gazoo Racing North America and Lamborghini Squadra Corsa are something special. It’s a logical step in our mission, and a great way to make our debut at this level here in the States.”

Conway added: “I’m looking forward to pairing our efforts with the larger group at RAFA Racing.

“The off-track activities that RAFA Racing is already involved in will not only augment our existing relationships but give them a chance to grow. It’s going to be a busy upcoming season, but we’re ready to make a difference immediately both on and off the race track.”

The new-look RAFA Racing Team will make its IMSA debut during the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona with the VP Racing Challenge, followed by the Pilot Challenge four-hour race the next week in advance of the Rolex 24.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John