GMG Eyeing Sprint Cup Program with Porsche

Photo: Gavin Baker/SRO America

GMG Racing could make its return to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition this year, with James Sofronas eying a potential run in the newly launched WeatherTech Sprint Cup.

The California-based team, which recently debuted its new-for-2019 Porsche 911 GT3 R, is looking to take part in the seven-round series, which will run within the existing GT Daytona class on WeatherTech Championship weekends.

While a deal has yet to be reached, Sofronas indicated he’s in dialogue with multiple drivers for the proposed program.

It would come in addition to the team’s already confirmed two-car effort in Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, which serves as an IMSA-sanctioned support series for the WeatherTech Championship.

“Obviously, the GT3 R can play in IMSA,” Sofronas told Sportscar365.

“I’ve been approached under a couple of different scenarios, and we could do if it makes sense, because we’ll be there with the Lamborghini [Super Trofeo] program.”

The team, which last competed in IMSA’s top series in 2014, made its return to GT3 racing last weekend at Circuit of The Americas after focusing largely on Audi R8 LMS GT4 machinery last year.

“First things first, we [have to] settle everything in and get everything done,” Sofronas said. “We’re pretty much almost there.

“And then, strategically look at the races in GTD that I would want to do, and what my co-driver or client or sponsor or whoever wants to do.

“The fun thing is that I don’t have to make any commitments. It takes the pressure off. As long as my clients are taken care of, then I decide where they’re all situated.”

A handful of teams currently not in the full WeatherTech Championship season have already expressed interest or committed to the Sprint Cup, including Compass Racing, which will give the McLaren 720S GT3 its North American debut in the first round at Mid-Ohio in May.

Both Pfaff Motorsports and Moorespeed initially announced Sprint Cup-only programs last year prior to expanding to the full GTD campaigns.

2019-Spec Porsche “More Capable” Car

Sofronas has given Porsche’s new-gen GT3 contender high marks, stating that it is a step forward in all areas compared to the previous model.

GMG had campaigned multiple previous-gen Porsches, which included championship titles in SRO Motorsports America in 2016.

“We had high hopes and Porsche was touting this car as an entirely new platform, in the sense that the aero, the suspension, the differential… there are a lot of upgrades on this car, and the braking is amazing,” he said.

“And it’s all true. From the Gen 1 to this is a massive step-up in improvement. It’s not necessarily faster, just more capable.”

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