CTSC: GMG to field two entries at Daytona

Global Motorsports will return to their roots in IMSA competition, taking part in this month's Daytona International Speedway festivities. As one of the leading Porsche-based driver development teams, GMG will present two Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR machines for the opening round of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge's BMW Endurance Challenge at Daytona.

"It's great to be back at Daytona," said GMG team owner and driver James Sofronas. "It goes without saying that this is one of the most storied and amazing tracks to visit in the world, and we couldn't be happier to return to such a venue. The new four-hour, multi-driver format has created a fantastic opportunity for a program like ours, and we're delighted to align a great group together for our IMSA return.

"We have an excellent mix of talent, experience, and new enthusiasm, and above all I think it should all combine for an incredible month for everyone on the team. This Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport is such an excellent car for developing new talent, and at a place like Daytona... you can't beat the experience.

With GMG having competed in multiple Rolex 24 at Daytona events, a return to the 3.56-mile, high-banked track presents a chance for less experienced drivers to compete at an international level of talent during the famed Rolex 24 at Daytona event week.

Entering with the No. 11 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR will be drivers Elias Sabo, Matt Halliday and Sofronas.

"It's incredible to think we'll be racing on the high banks of Daytona in just a few weeks," said Sabo, a recent product of the team's driver development program who will take part in his first major professional race. "It's been a fast ascension since joining GMG, but one that I've thoroughly enjoyed. James and the entire team have done a phenomenal job getting me seat time and experience over the last year to work up to this level, and I feel very well prepared thanks to their support. It's a very exciting time and I'm grateful for the opportunity."

For Halliday, a veteran of ChampCar competition, Porsche Supercup, Australian V8 SuperCars and more, a chance to make his Continental Challenge debut is a welcome one.

"This is one of those venues that you always want to compete at," stated the New Zealander. "The Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport presents such a great platform, and this should be a great event for it. It's been a thrill working with Elias to see him develop as a driver, and with James' experience at Daytona the three of us should run pretty strong, I'm really looking forward to the opportunity."

The No. 88 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport will feature a similar mix of experience and talent. Combining youth and experience will be GMG development graduate and now team coach Alec Udell as well as Andy Lee, joined by professional debutante Carter Yeung. Carter holds an especially great story to the team, having been a tuning customer for over seven years, and recently turning his attentions toward pro racing.

After a 2016 season in which he won 12 races en route to the Pirelli World Challenge GT-Cup title, team veteran Alec Udell will join the team in search of strong results in his first IMSA race.

"It's tough to say what the expectations will be, but we're very anxious to get this going," stated Udell. "Working with Carter has been very enjoyable during the winter, his commitment to what it takes has been remarkable, and that makes me very happy to join him as a teammate at Daytona. The GT4 Clubsport is a very different machine than the GT3 Cup machine that we won so many races with last year, but it's a very well-behaved machine and should suit the circuit really well. Andy's experience speaks for itself, so between the three of us it should be a pretty good group."

Lee, a multi-time winner in the Pirelli World Challenge series and veteran of multiple disciplines and machines, will join the team as the senior member of the group, putting his combination of speed and patience to good use.