Sargent Leads SRO GT Academy Standings After Sonoma Run

Photo: GMG Racing

Tom Sargent has jumped out into an early lead in the SRO GT Academy standings following his Pro-Am class win, and overall podium finish, in last weekend’s GT World Challenge America powered by AWS season opener at Sonoma Raceway.

The 22-year-old Australian teamed with Kyle Washington to take a convincing class victory in their GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R in the series’ first-ever three-hour headline race.

Sargent, who is in his second year as a Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver, is vying with eight other FIA Silver-rated GTWC America drivers under the age of 30 for a fully-funded Silver Cup season at next year’s CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.

It is part of an expanded initiative from SRO Motorsports Group that will see the top-ranked GT Academy driver from each regional GT World Challenge series, as well as in the British GT Championship’s GT3 class, all share the wheel of a car fielded by a “well established GT team” in the Belgian endurance classic.

SRO evaluates its drivers each race weekend on an assessment-based criteria focused on a driver’s true ability and potential by eliminating external factors, with the process rewarding individual attributes such as qualifying pace, average stint times and sportsmanship rather than pure results.

While not claiming pole in the new two-driver combined average format, Sargent set the fastest single-lap in qualifying, while also repeating that achievement in the race, recording a best race lap of 1:33.936, which put him more than a half-second ahead of the next quickest time.

With 12 points being awarded for each of the evaluated categories, Sargent earned himself a perfect score of 36 points after the opening round.

He has accumulated a 13-point margin over Riley Dickinson in the No. 13 Kellymoss Porsche, who placed second in average and fastest race lap times, but slotted into fourth among the GT Academy drivers in qualifying pace.

“To be part of the SRO GT Academy program is super exciting,” said Sargent. “It’s a great program that SRO is offering this year to help Silver drivers take the next step in their careers.

“I was fortunate enough to compete in the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa last year and the thought of possibly getting a chance to go back is awesome.

“It’s obviously the premier GT3 race in the world and it’s great to be able to compete against the best there is.

“We have a long season ahead with many rounds still to go before the final decision is made, but we’re off to a very good start this year and hopefully we can continue the strong momentum.”

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