HP-TECH Aiming to “Learn as Much as We Can” in GT3 Debut

HP-TECH Motorsport team principal Jorge Herrera said the team’s participation in the final two GT America powered by AWS races of the season is about “learning as much” as they can in preparation for a full season of GT3 racing in 2026.

As previously reported by Sportscar365, the South Florida-based team, which has been a staple on the Ferrari Challenge North America grid, will make its GT America debut this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, and will also compete in the season-ending round at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to allow the team and driver Tony Davis to get comfortable with their new Ferrari 296 GT3 and test the waters in SRO America before finalizing plans for next year.

Despite having previously appeared to confirm their entry on the GT America grid for next season, Herrera told Sportscar365 at Barber Motorsports Park that the team is evaluating where they will race their 296 GT3 next year.

“We were debating where to land in SRO or IMSA, and we decided to configure the car for SRO,” Herrera told Sportscar365. “We got the car in the beginning of the year just to get our feet wet in the series.

“We wanted to do the last two events and decided to go with GT America.

“The goal is just to do Barber and do Indy and then make a final decision if we’re going to move up to [GT] World Challenge next year or stay in GT America.

“We’re testing the paddock, testing the racing, trying to learn as much as we can from the car, and see where we’re going to go next year.

“This is more gaining experience with the car and with the series, then, looking into what series we’re going to be doing next year.

“Most likely it’s going to be SRO, but we’re trying to debate if we’re going to stay in GT America next year or if we’re going to move up to GT World Challenge.”

While IMSA-sanctioned competition in VP Racing SportsCar Challenge or the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship grid are understood to be possibilities for next year, Herrera said, in reference to SRO, that he’s “80 percent [sure]” they will be in the SRO America paddock next year.

He added: “For a gentleman driver, I feel like it’s a better place to be and a better place to start.”

In preparation for the leap from single-make competition to GT3 racing, HP-TECH underwent a testing program with Davis at Sebring International Raceway, Watkins Glen International, Miami International Autodrome and Barber, where they will make their first GT3 start this weekend.

It’s understood the team will be running a further test in Miami ahead of the final round of the season in Indianapolis.

Davis has been a consistent presence on the Ferrari Challenge grid for the past four years, which has yielded a Coppa Shell Am class title in his debut 2022 season, alongside numerous wins over the years.

“Our main goal at the beginning was to make the driver comfortable with the car, and at the same time, for the team to understand changes on the car to what the car does with different things,” said Herrera.

“But it was driver-focused than setup-focused. That was pretty much our goal. To get the driver to go fast with the car.

“We’re super excited. We’ve been with the brand for a long time. Ferrari is also very excited about us getting involved in the series. So we’re looking forward to seeing what this year is going to bring.”

Familiar HP-TECH Crew Bolstering GT3 Debut

Given HP-TECH’s extensive presence on the Ferrari Challenge grid, the team has no issues with staffing and gearing up for their foray into GT3 competition, with the team heading to Barber with the same crew it utilizes in Ferrari’s single-make championship.

“We’re super excited,” said Herrara. “Not just me, but everybody in the team. The engineers, mechanics, logistics. Everyone is very excited about getting involved and finally making the jump.

“This is basically the Ferrari Challenge [group]. Most of the equipment is from Ferrari Challenge. The guys are from Ferrari Challenge.

“I believe we have a pretty good team, a very solid team. Most of our guys have experience in GT3, DP, open-wheel, so I think we have the people, we have the knowledge, we have experience, and I don’t think we need much else.

“Everybody has been part of the team for many, many years.

“I’ve been in the Ferrari Challenge paddock for the last 25 years. We run a pretty big operation in Challenge. We will be racing in Laguna Seca next weekend, and we’re going to be supporting eight cars. So this actually feels easy.”