2015 PWC Silly Season Update 1: GTS

The Pirelli World Challenge is poised for significant growth in 2015, with the GT and GTS classes set for separate races and both categories likely to see increased grids.

In the first “Silly Season” update for 2015, Sportscar365 takes a look at the confirmed, likely and possible entries for the GTS class next year.

GTS:

Confirmed Entries (19-20 cars):

Kia Racing/Kinetic Motorsports – The two-car Kia Optima program returns for another season with its existing chassis. Mark Wilkins will return while Nic Jonsson may scale back driving-wise. There is one ELMS/PWC conflict May 16-17, as ELMS runs in Imola and PWC at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. (2 cars)

GTSport Racing – No major changes expected as Jack Baldwin and Buz McCall return for their third straight year as teammates in the pair of Porsche Cayman Ss. (2 cars)

Capaldi Racing/ROUSH Racing – Four-car Ford Mustang effort sees the single-car Jack Roush Jr. entry come under the Capaldi banner, with teammates Nick Esayian, Brad Adams and rookie Dan Martinson. A fifth car is possible for selected races. (4 cars)

TRG-AMR – Max Riddle and Derek DeBoer are the first two drivers confirmed for Kevin Buckler’s Aston Martin Vantage GT4 program. The team ran three GTS cars last year, and another customer would make three again in 2015. (3 cars)

GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing – Jon Fogarty and Bob Stallings are back with a new Hyundai Genesis coupe. Fogarty may miss one PWC round due to his FIA World Endurance Championship commitments. (1 car)

Phoenix American Motorsports – Several-time SCCA National Champion Andrew Aquilante leads the three-car Ford Mustang effort, along with teammates Kurt Rezzetano and Preston Calvert. (3 cars)

SFR Enterprises, Inc. – Ric Bushey ran the full 2014 season before he was sidelined with a medical issue prior to the season finale. The team expects to regroup and return with its single Nissan 370Z for 2015. (1 car)

Rennsport One – The new Justin Bellinzoni-led team plans an ambitious 2015 schedule with two new Caymans in Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge and at least one for GTS, to be driven by Paul Holton at non-conflicting PWC rounds. (1 car)

LG Motorsports – PWC veteran Lou Gigliotti has been out of the championship for a little more than a year but is set to make a comeback in GTS with a multi-car Aston Martin effort. Gigilotti will be one of the drivers. (2 cars)

Likely/Possible Entries (12-14 cars):

Blackdog Racing – The two-time defending class champions hope to run two new Camaro Z/28.Rs, but the Ray Sorensen-led team hasn’t confirmed its official plans as yet. Tony Gaples would return for sure, while the second driver is to be determined. (2 cars likely)

Rehagen Racing – Dean Martin fought through a challenging 2014 where he needed three different chassis to see out the season, but should still be back with Larry Rehagen’s operation with a new Mustang next season. (1 car likely)

Best IT Racing – The team expanded to two Chevrolet Camaros in 2014, but there’s no guarantee of an encore with Andy Lee possibly seeking to move up to GT full-time. Geoff Reeves would figure to continue for a second season. (1-2 cars possible)

Motorsports Development Group – The Stuart Robinson-led team ran two Mustangs for Alec Udell and Mitch Landry in 2014. Landry is expected to move up to GT Cup while Udell could be poised to do likewise. (1-2 cars possible)

Automatic Racing – Mark Klenin would figure to run the same partial, if not full, season schedule in his Aston Martin Vantage GT4 once more, with his car set up under the Breathless Performance transporter. (1 car likely)

Always Evolving Racing – Erik Davis has said he will not be returning with his Ford Mustang for 2015, and that departure could be a harbinger of a new car he’ll run in one of the GT classes next year. (1 car possible)

Monsoon Motorsports – The second GTS Nissan 370Z, driven by Brian Kleeman, fought through myriad mechanical issues in 2014. Kleeman figures to return for most races, while a full season is questionable. (1 car likely)

Ken Stout Racing, Inc. – Former Touring Car class champion Robert Stout’s family-run team ran only sporadic races in 2014 with its Scion FR-S. It remains to be seen whether the car or team will return next year. (1 car possible)

Compass360 Racing – Dominant in PWC TC, Karl Thomson’s squad ran a Subaru WRX-STi for Ryan Eversley and Ray Mason in selected PWC GTS races a year ago. With the team’s Audi and Subaru CTSC efforts already confirmed, it’s less likely the team could also run a full-season Subaru GTS program in PWC. (1 car possible)

Skullcandy Team Nissan – Ran selected PWC rounds in both GTS and TC a year ago. Could potentially be a landing spot for one of Vesko Kozarov, Steve Doherty and/or Bryan Heitkotter in a Nissan 370Z. (1 car possible)

DWW Motorsports – Ran most of the 2014 season with a Mustang for Chris Outzen, but disappeared after the Toronto round. A return is questionable. (1 car possible)

Estimated Car Count: 19-34 entries