PWC: GMG returns to Porsche for 2016 GT campaign

Global Motorsports Group has confirmed the purchase of a 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 R (ABOVE) with which it will contest a full season of the Pirelli World Challenge GT and GTA classes, as well as exploring opportunities in additional series and events.

"Porsche has been a huge part of our brand over the last 15 years, and it is exciting to commit to a full return," stated GMG team owner James Sofronas. "Our efforts in the GT-Cup class during this year's Pirelli World Challenge showed that we're still very capable with Porsche machinery, and getting our hands on the new GT3 R should present a lot of mutual benefits between us and Porsche Motorsport.

"Over the years, our alignment with Porsche has proven a tremendous opportunity for growth, and as Southern California's premier tuning shop we've enjoyed being able to showcase how our depth in technicians and engineering can transfer from the track to the street. With Porsche Motorsport literally across the street from our shop, we're excited to re-unite at the top levels. The new GT3 R should be instantly competitive in the Pirelli World Challenge, and we're working hard on some additional opportunities as well."

With a decade-long relationship that has seen the team take multiple victories at the top levels of the Pirelli World Challenge, GMG's greatest period of growth came during its affiliation with Porsche throughout the 2004-'13 period. With two sides to the business, the first as a premier supporter of professional racing services and the second as a custom street tuning and performance enhancement shop, a return to Porsche marks the company's commitment to Porsche owners around the world.

Most recently, GMG's return to Porsche in the GT-Cup category of the Pirelli World Challenge in 2015 netted a spectacular series of results. With GMG's latest development driver Alec Udell behind the wheel, the 19-year-old earned three victories during this year's campaign including a staggering 13 podiums in 14 starts.

Beyond Porsche, the team continues to support and maintain a number of European marques. Throughout 2013-2015, GMG earned more victories for Audi than any other team in the series including taking the first victory for the R8 LMS in World Challenge competition. The team still maintains their ability to work on such machinery, and in addition will continue to campaign their fleet of Lamborghini Huracán machinery in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo North America as well as other prospective opportunities. Currently, the team maintains a fleet of their Audi R8 LMS ultra vehicles which are available to compete at the highest levels of motorsport.

"Everyone at Audi Sport customer racing was fantastic during our years together, and I do want to thank them for being such a great partner," continued Sofronas. "They provided an instantly competitive car with fantastic support, and we're very proud of our accomplishments together including taking their first win in their series return, as well as going down to the championship finale for two years in a row."