James Sofronas

James Sofronas
Born	(1968-09-09) September 9, 1968 (age 56) Westchester County, New York, United States
GT America Series career
Debut season	2021
Current team	GMG Racing
Racing licence	FIA Bronze
Car number	14
Starts	6
Wins	3
Podiums	4
Poles	3
Fastest laps	2
Previous series
2020 2019 2019 2016, 2019 2014, 2021 2009, 2011–12 2009–12 2004–06, 2008, 2017–18 1994–2020	GT Sports Club America GT Sports Club GT4 America Series Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America IMSA SportsCar Championship Rolex Sports Car Series American Le Mans Series Michelin Pilot Challenge Pirelli World Challenge
Championship titles
2018 2018 2017 2017	Pirelli World Challenge SprintX – GTS Pirelli World Challenge – GTS Pirelli World Challenge – GTA Pirelli World Challenge SprintX – GT Pro/Am

James Sofronas (born September 9, 1968) is an American racing driver and the founder of Global Motorsports Group.

Motorsports career

Sofronas began his racing career in the early 1990s, purchasing a Nissan NX 2000 which was eligible for the SCCA SSB category. In order to make enough money to race it, Sofronas worked as a salesman at Pitney Bowes, using the street-legal car on sales calls despite the fact it had no air conditioning unit. ^[1] In 1994, he acquired an SCCA Pro Racing license and took part in the SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge, driving an Oldsmobile Achieva in the Super Production class, which he rented from Chuck Hemingson for $1,800. ^[2] In his lone outing that season at Road America, Sofronas finished 9th in class. ^[3]

Sofronas began racing under the GMG Racing banner in the early 2000s; the team is used to advertise his auto tuning service he operates out of Southern California. He scored his first victory in the then-Speed World Challenge in 2008 at New Jersey Motorsports Park, en route to a fourth-placed finish in the championship. He would finish runner-up in the GT class the following season, scoring two wins and four podiums. ^[4] That same season, Sofronas began competing in the American Le Mans Series, beginning with a one-off appearance at Laguna Seca with co-driver Bret Curtis, where the duo finished fifth in class. Sofronas and GMG Racing would continue to run a partial schedule in the series until 2012.

In 2017, Sofronas claimed a pair of titles in the Pirelli World Challenge, claiming the overall GTA title and the SprintX GT Pro/Am title. Partnering with Porsche factory drivers Laurens Vanthoor and Mathieu Jaminet, Sofronas took the SprintX title by just 13 points over Jan Heylen and Michael Schein. He scored 11 class victories in 19 starts between the two championships that season. ^[5] He followed his championship haul in 2017 with two more in 2018, this time competing in GT4 machinery. Sofronas and co-driver Alex Welch claimed the SprintX GTS title, while Sofronas alone won the GTS class title overall. ^[6]

In 2023, Sofronas began his 30th season of competition under the World Challenge/SRO America umbrella, fielding the first Audi R8 LMS Evo II on American soil. ^[7] During the GT America Series event at Circuit of the Americas, Sofronas tallied his 350th World Challenge/SRO event appearance. ^[2]

GMG Racing

GMG Racing's Porsche at Lime Rock Park in 2010

Sofronas and business partner Fabrice Kutyba founded Global Motorsports Group (GMG) in 2001, an aftermarket tuning service with a particular focus on European luxury marques. ^[3] The two opened a shop in 2006, before upgrading to a 16,000 square-foot facility two years later. ^[3] In August 2021, GMG opened temporary 8,000 square-foot shop at the Thermal Club, with plans to have a 23,000 square-foot facility completed at the site by summer 2023. ^[8]

The company services Porsche, Ferrari, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW models, among others. ^[3] Services include standard maintenance such as oil changes, as well as performance tuning. ^[1] The group also operates a customer racing program in the SRO America umbrella of series, including the GT America Series, GT4 America Series, and GT World Challenge America. ^[9] Their racing endeavors are closely intertwined with their tuning operations, with a series of World Challenge-based performance products being released in 2008. ^[3] The team has won a number of titles in the Pirelli World Challenge, including a 2017 GTSA class victory for George Kurtz accompanying Sofronas' titles. ^[4] In 2021, the team added a title in the inaugural season of the GT America Series with customer driver Jason Bell. ^[10]

The team also works closely with Audi Sport, debuting and competing with the marque's racing cars. In 2012, GMG Racing became the first American providers of the new Audi R8 LMS GT3. ^[11] In September 2019, Sofronas took part in the global debut of the Audi R8 LMS GT2 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. ^[12] At the SRO GT Anniversary, Sofronas fielded an Audi R8 LMS ultra, one of just two in the field. ^[13] Ahead of the 2023 season, the team acquired an Audi R8 LMS Evo II, and were awaiting delivery of a Type-992 Porsche 911 GT3 R. ^[14]

In 2021, the team expanded their relationship with Italian manufacturer Lamborghini, acquiring a Huracán GT3 Evo as part of a partnership with FFF Racing Team. ^[15]

Racing record

Career summary

Season	Series	Team	Races	Wins	Poles	F/Laps	Podiums	Points	Position
1994	SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge - Super Production	National Wheels & Tires	1	0	?	?	0	17	32nd
1995	SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge - Super Production	Greek Brothers Racing	6	0	0	?	0	131	14th
1996	SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge - T2	Greek Brothers Racing	3	0	0	?	0	42	18th
	SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge - T1		1	0	0	?	0	17	36th
1997	SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge - T2	Greek Brothers Racing	2	0	0	0	0	25	27th
1998	SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge - T2	Greek Brothers Racing	1	0	0	0	0	15	31st
1999	SpeedVision World Challenge - Touring Car	Peppa Seed Racing	1	0	0	?	0	20	34th
2000	SpeedVision World Challenge - Touring Car	Peppa Seed Racing	2	0	0	?	0	11	45th
	SpeedVision World Challenge - GT	SSF / GMG Racing	1	0	0	?	0	?	?
2001	SpeedVision World Challenge - GT	SSF Parts / TC Kline	8	0	0	0	0	76	14th
2002	Speed World Challenge - Touring Car	SSF Imported Parts / GMG Racing	5	0	0	0	0	53	24th
2003	Speed World Challenge - Touring Car	Tecmark Autosport / Lectric Air	9	0	0	?	0	42	27th
2004	Speed World Challenge - Touring Car	Tecmark Corp / GMG Racing	10	0	0	?	2	196	4th
	Grand-Am Cup - GS	Anchor Racing	6	0	?	?	0	75	41st
	Grand-Am Cup - ST	DF Motorsports	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
2005	Speed World Challenge - GT	GMG Racing	6	0	0	0	1	102	15th
	Grand-Am Cup - GS	Anchor Racing	7	0	?	?	0	78	52nd
2006	Speed World Challenge - GT	GMG Racing	10	0	0	0	0	156	8th
	Grand-Am Cup - GS		1	0	?	?	0	18	86th
2007	Speed World Challenge - TC	Tecmark Autosport / GMG	10	0	0	0	2	205	7th
	Speed World Challenge - GT	GMG Racing	10	0	0	0	0	103	11th
2008	Speed World Challenge - GT	GMG Racing	10	1	0	0	1	750	4th
	Speed World Challenge - TC	Tecmark Corporation / GMG Racing	3	0	0	0	0	219	17th
	Grand-Am KONI Challenge - GS	BGB Motorsports	1	0	0	0	0	17	73rd
2009	Speed World Challenge - GT	GMG Racing	10	2	2	1	4	931	2nd
	American Le Mans Series - Challenge		1	0	0	0	0	13	7th
	Rolex Sports Car Series - GT		2	0	0	0	0	24	62nd
2010	SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge - GT	GMG Racing	11	1	1	0	7	1052	3rd
	American Le Mans Series - GTC		6	0	0	0	2	60	10th
2011	Pirelli World Challenge - GT	GMG Racing	12	0	1	1	6	1112	4th
	American Le Mans Series - GTC		5	0	0	0	0	36	15th
	Rolex Sports Car Series - GT	TRG / BSR / GMG Racing	1	0	0	0	0	16	57th
2012	Pirelli World Challenge - GT	GMG Racing	9	0	0	0	1	723	9th
	American Le Mans Series - GTC		5	0	0	0	2	49	9th
	Rolex Sports Car Series - GT	Orbit / GMG Racing	1	0	0	0	0	20	64th
2013	Pirelli World Challenge - GT	GMG Racing	14	3	3	2	9	1444	2nd
2014	Pirelli World Challenge - GT	GMG Racing	16	0	0	0	0	1062	6th
	United SportsCar Championship - GTD		2	0	0	0	0	22	79th
2015	Pirelli World Challenge - GT	GMG Racing	13	0	0	0	0	600	20th
2016	Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America - Pro-Am	GMG Racing	2	1	0	0	2	27	8th
	Pirelli World Challenge - GT		7	0	0	0	0	263	17th
	Pirelli World Challenge - GTS		1	0	0	0	0	51	39th
2017	Pirelli World Challenge - GTA	GMG Racing	9	6	3	3	8	211	1st
	Pirelli World Challenge SprintX - GT Pro-Am		9	5	1	2	8	227	1st
	Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge - GS		1	0	0	0	0	14	36th
2018	Pirelli World Challenge - GTS	GMG Racing	8	0	0	2	3	162	1st
	Pirelli World Challenge SprintX - GTS		10	2	0	1	3	176	1st
	Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge - GS		1	0	0	0	0	7	71st
2019	GT4 America Series SprintX - Am	GMG Racing	8	2	1	0	6	98	3rd
	Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America - Am		2	2	2	1	2	31	5th
	GT World Challenge America - Pro/Am		2	1	0	0	2	40	9th
	GT World Challenge America - Am		2	0	0	0	1	27	9th
	GT4 America Series Sprint		1	0	0	0	0	8	20th
	GT Sports Club	Audi Sport Team WRT	2	0	0	0	1	15	15th
2020	GT World Challenge America - Pro/Am	GMG Racing	4	2	2	0	2	58	8th
	GT Sports Club America - Titanium		1	1	1	1	1	?	?
2021	GT America Series - SRO3	GMG Racing	6	3	3	2	4	111	5th
	Intercontinental GT Challenge		1	0	0	0	0	2	20th
	IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTD		1	0	0	0	0	176	66th
2022	Michelin Pilot Challenge - GS	GMG Racing	2	0	0	0	0	300	50th
	IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTD		3	0	0	0	0	323	52nd
	GT World Challenge America - Pro/Am		1	0	0	1	0	24	13th
	GT World Challenge America - Am		2	0	0	0	2	36	5th
	Intercontinental GT Challenge		1	0	0	0	0	6	19th
	SRO GT Anniversary
2023	GT America Series - GT3	GMG Racing	4	0	1	1	3	48	11th
	GT World Challenge America - Pro/Am		2	0	0	0	0	2	19th
	GT4 America Series - Am		2	0	0	0	0	0	NC
	Porsche Carrera Cup North America		2	2	0	1	2	51	12th
	GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup	GMG Racing by Car Collection Motorsport	1	0	0	0	0	0	NC
	Intercontinental GT Challenge		1	0	0	0	0	0	NC
2024	Porsche Carrera Cup North America	GMG Racing	10	0	0	0	0	9	22nd

^* Season still in progress.

Complete American Le Mans Series results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Team	Class	Make	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Rank	Points
2009	GMG Racing	Challenge	Porsche 997 GT3 Cup	Porsche 3.6 L Flat-6	MIL	LIM	MDO	ELK DNS	LGA 5						7th	13
2010	GMG Racing	GTC	Porsche 997 GT3 Cup	Porsche 3.8L Flat-6	SEB 7	LBH 2	LGA 10	MIL 7	LIM 4	MDO 2	ELK 8	MOS	PET		10th	60
2011	GMG Racing	GTC	Porsche 997 GT3 Cup	Porsche 4.0L Flat-6	SEB 8	LBH	LIM 5	MOS	MDO	ELK 4	BAL	LGA 5	PET		15th	36
2012	GMG Racing	GTC	Porsche 997 GT3 Cup	Porsche 4.0L Flat-6	SEB 7	LBH 4	LGA 2	LIM 3	MOS	MDO	ELK 5	BAL	VIR	PET	9th	49

Complete WeatherTech SportsCar Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Team	Class	Make	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Rank	Points
2014	GMG Racing	GTD	Audi R8 LMS ultra	Audi 5.2 L V10	DAY 28	SEB 11	LGA	DET	WGL	MOS	IND	ELK	VIR	COA	COA		79th	22
2021	GMG Racing	GTD	Porsche 911 GT3 R	Porsche 4.0 L Flat-6	DAY	SEB	MDO	DET	WGL	WGL	LIM	ELK	LGA	LBH 15	VIR	PET	72nd	176
2022	GMG Racing	GTD	Porsche 911 GT3 R	Porsche MA1.76/MDG.G 4.0 L Flat-6	DAY 22	SEB	LBH 10	LGA 11	MDO	DET	WGL	MOS	LIM	ELK	VIR	PET	52nd	323

^* Season still in progress.

Complete GT World Challenge Europe results

GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup

Year	Team	Car	Class	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Pos.	Points
2023	GMG Racing by Car Collection Motorsport	Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)	Pro-Am	MNZ	LEC	SPA 6H Ret	SPA 12H Ret	SPA 24H Ret	NÜR	CAT	NC	0

^*Season still in progress.

References

1. "Racers in Isolation: James Sofronas". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. April 23, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
2. Sportscar365 Staff (May 18, 2023). "Sofronas Embarking on 350th World Challenge/SRO Event". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
3. "There's No Holding Back James Sofronas". theautochannel.com. September 16, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
4. "Sofronas, weekend warrior". racer.com. November 10, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2021. We were second in '09, second in '13, so to win it here in the Pro-Am class was gratifying, because this year I did very little testing.
5. "Pirelli World Challenge 2017 GT Classes Finale". archive.world-challenge.com. September 20, 2017. Archived from the original on August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
6. "Second title for Audi R8 LMS GT4". audi-mediacenter.com. September 3, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
7. Dagys, John (February 25, 2023). "GMG's Sofronas to Debut Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II in St. Pete". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
8. "Road America Friday Notebook". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. August 27, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021. GMG Racing has opened up a temporary 8,000 square-foot shop at The Thermal Club ahead of plans for a dedicated 25,000 square-foot motorsports facility coming in summer 2023 according to team principal James Sofronas.
9. "James Sofronas is driven to succeed on, off track". presstelegram.com. April 15, 2009. Retrieved August 25, 2021. Besides Sofronas, GMG Racing services cars for three "arrive and drive" racers in the series, including William Ziegler, who finished eighth at Sebring, and Dino Crescentini, who was 17th.
10. "Iribe Sweeps Weekend; Bell Wins GT4 Title in Indy Finale". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
11. "Europhiles: A Tour Of GMG Racing". speedhunters.com. November 28, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2021. As mentioned earlier, GMG Racing was the first provider of the Audi Sport R8 LMS GT3.
12. "GMG'S James Sofronas To Debut Audi R8 LMS GT2 In Barcelona". audiclubna.org. September 26, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
13. Lloyd, Daniel (July 25, 2022). "28-Car Entry for SRO's GT Anniversary Races at Spa". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
14. Dagys, John (December 14, 2022). "GMG Racing Acquires New Audi, Porsche GT3 Cars for 2023". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
15. "Sofronas Debuts Ex-FFF Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. April 30, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.

External links

• James Sofronas at Motorsport.com