Sofronas Stands Down From Series; Sets Focus on Customers

Photo: GMG Racing

Inaugural McLaren Trophy America Am class champion James Sofronas will not defend his title this season, with the GMG Racing team owner/driver instead set to place his full focus on an increased customer effort in the single-make series, which includes the addition of Deniz Teoman and Jeff Cook.

Teoman and Cook, who arrive at GMG after a season with Dark Horse Racing, will join the Pro-Am pairing of John Capestro-Dubets and Randy Highland in the new-look two-car McLaren Artura Trophy EVO effort, which kicks off the weekend at Sonoma Raceway.

GMG additionally won the overall teams’ title in the single-make series last year.

“Last year was a crucial learning year for me and GMG Racing, less about my on-track achievements and more about laying the groundwork for the team’s future success in McLaren Trophy,” said Sofronas.

“We are totally committed to this great new series, and my goal last year was to familiarize myself with the ins and outs of the McLaren Trophy America format, how the Artura Trophy EVO runs on each track and the mechanical ins and outs of the new car so that I could better serve our customers moving forward.

“The real win was the knowledge we gained as a team. Now, we’re ready to put that to work with a great roster of drivers.”

Sofronas added: “Adding Deniz and Jeff to our lineup was a no-brainer. They are proven winners, and with the foundation we and they built last year, they should contend out of the gate.

“In Pro-Am, Randy’s quick consistency and experience in the GMG/Thermal Driver Development program along with JCD’s sheer speed and his record as a McLaren Trophy multiple race winner is as strong as any pairing in the series.

“Along with GMG Racing’s already vast amount of knowledge on the McLaren Artura Trophy Evo, we have all of the pieces in place for success this year.”

The re-focused Trophy America series program joins GMG’s existing GT World Challenge America and GT America effort with Kyle Washington, who will be joined by Tom Sargent for the third season in GTWC America.

Washington, meanwhile, is set to again undertake a dual series campaign, racing his Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo in GT America powered by AWS.

Source: Sports Car 365