ACI Expands into GT3 Ranks With Porsche for Pumpelly, Torres

Image: ACI Motorsports

Accomplished Porsche single-make series team ACI Motorsports will expand into Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS competition this year with a Porsche 911 GT3 R for Spencer Pumpelly and Pedro Torres.

The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based team, owned by Curt Swearingin, will field a Type-991.2 Porsche for the pairing in the Pro-Am class beginning with next month’s season-opener at Sonoma Raceway.

“ACI is incredibly excited to have Spencer and Pedro behind the wheel of the No. 16 this year and we are honored that they’re part of the team,” Swearingin said.

“To have such a strong pair of drivers, especially with the experience that both of them bring to the table, is a wonderful opportunity for us and we intend to capitalize on it.

“We will do everything possible to ensure they have the support that they deserve.”

Torres, who purchased two of the previous-gen Porsches from Hong Kong-based outfit KCMG, has been on a rapid rise through the GT ranks, initially competing in Porsche’s single-make series as well as 24H Series competition.

“I came to ACI because I was really impressed with the team’s trajectory and growth,” he said. “With this I saw a great opportunity to develop the GT3 platform along ACI.

“I started professional/competitive racing three years ago with TPC Racing and have been able to enjoy some great experiences working alongside Spencer between Porsche Sprint Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup North America.

“I’m extremely excited to start this year with a GT World Challenge program along with Spencer. It will be a great challenge and I’m looking forward to it.”

Pumpelly added: “It’s great to be returning to SRO competition and I’m looking forward to continuing my work with ACI Motorsports. Pedro and I couldn’t be in a better position as we take on our first season as co-drivers.

“The entire ACI crew is top level and we have some great drivers joining us under the awning. The vibe at ACI has always been a fun one and they do a great job supporting the cars at the track.

“Pedro is also making a big transition as this will be his first SRO season, but having worked with him in the past I am confident I will have one of the best co-drivers in the field. We can’t wait to get the season started.”

ACI’s new GTWC America effort comes in addition to multiple Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport entries in Pirelli GT4 America for the team, which will also return to Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America and Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama this year.

“We’ve been putting a lot of effort into our inaugural entry into SRO and based upon the success that we’ve seen in Porsche Carrera Cup, we feel ready to truly attack this season and thanks to the strength of our drivers and crew we expect to find ourselves in a good position on track,” Swearingin said.

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