Gill: SRO America Balancing Rising Single-Makes, Core Series

Photo: Toyota GR Cup North America

SRO America has been cognizant of balancing its own multi-class championships with emerging single-make series from manufacturer partners over event weekends according to President and CEO Greg Gill.

The USAC-sanctioned sports car racing organization has seen significant growth in recent years, first with the introduction of Toyota GR Cup North America in 2023, and with McLaren Trophy America set to launch next year.

Both have joined SRO America’s existing portfolio of series such as Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, GT America powered by AWS, Pirelli GT4 America and the revamped TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School for 2025.

“Every series that runs events always looks to what can be done if there’s any time open on their schedule. ‘Is there another race series that we could run there?'” Gill told Sportscar365.

“Our company has always had that and we’ve run a lot of different people.

“But partnering and really developing and growing sports car racing in North America is our long-term goal.

“With that, Toyota has been a fantastic partner. We share the same goals they have, which is getting more people into sports car racing and really working with a great program, a great car.

“They’ve been a fantastic partner and we’re excited about the future and we’re really looking forward to seeing their GR Corollas on the grid [in TC America] as well.

“That’s really exciting in seeing that and really making them a partner with us.

“McLaren is a great partner with us in Europe already. This will be a brand-new offering for them here in the States.

“It’s too early to say how that is going to look but I can say from what we’re hearing from customers, is that there’s a high degree of interest and it should be a great program.”

When asked how SRO America strikes the balance of having manufacturer partners alongside its own race series, Gill said: “Our first priority, and this is both here in North America and globally, is to our full season customers in GT World Challenge, GT America, GT4 America and TC America.

“That’s absolutely our first priority and that’s where our focus has to be.

“When we see track time, we want to do the single-make series. We’ve had Lamborghini Super Trofeo [races] and have always been open to doing things with them.

“We’ve had Mazda and we’ve even had Radical running with us.

“When there’s an opportunity to partner and there’s track time available, [it’s great]. But I think the thing we’ve seen in all successful series right now in North America, is that there’s not a lot of track time left.

“So your time has to be [maximized]. We have to have that attitude towards it.”

While the growth of GR Cup, which is set to enter its third season in North America, has resulted in a reduced TC America field in recent years, Gill said he’s confident that all SRO America-run series can play its own part its ladder system.

“The same token, as we’ve seen, is people moving from GR Cup to Touring Car, to GT4, so it’s been a real natural growth,” he said.

“It’s certainly impacted, which we knew was going to happen, that Touring Car would be impacted by GR Cup, but it’s actually helped create good opportunities in Touring Car and now we’ll see a re-launch with how we’re working with combining TCX into TC and having one Touring Car class next year.

“I think it’s going to be good. It’s too early to say it’s going to be a resounding success yet but early indications are very good.”

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