GMG, Spyder Enhance Partnership in Sonoma

As the whole of Global Motorsports Group (GMG) prepares for the final two rounds of the Pirelli World Challenge championship, the team will head into this weekend’s Sonoma Grand Prix with a brand new look and sense of enthusiasm courtesy of long-time apparel partner Spyder. As part of the performance technical outerwear brand’s launch of the GT line of clothing, GMG’s No. 14 and 21 Audi R8 LMS ultra entries will feature an all-new design courtesy of the company.

“It’s awesome to enter Sonoma with an increased program for everyone at Spyder,” stated GMG team owner and driver James Sofronas. “We’ve been fortunate enough to work with the brand for the last two years, and beyond enjoying our work together, they actually have some great gear! They’ve been most known for their winter wear, which suited us really well during the very cold endurance races at the start of the year, but with the new GT line we now have apparel that suits us really well all year round. Sonoma should be a great place for us, and we’re looking forward to closing out the year strong.”

jpeg-1Spyder is an active lifestyle apparel brand specializing in high-tech fabrication and sport-specific function. Based in Boulder, Colorado, the company has been selling high performance outerwear and sportswear in the United States, Canada and more than 50 countries outside of North America since 1978. With the launch of the new GT line Spyder presents a collection that is a mix of lightweight jackets, versatile bottoms, and easy knit tops: all cut from technical fabrics. Spyder GT captures the look and feeling of the racing lifestyle, reinforced through their partnerships with GMG and Indy driver James Hinchcliffe.

jpeg-2Heading into the weekend, Andrew Palmer and the No. 21 Spyder / The Thermal Club machine will enter the race as the top GMG entrant in points. With the constant series of twists and turns that the 2.2 mile, 11-turn circuit provides, the 20-year old is looking forward to racing on a track that should suit him well.

“Sonoma is famous for having very little in the way of straights, which will make for a very tough race,” stated Palmer. “We’ve shown our best runs on permanent road courses, so it’s great that we’ll finish the season at places where we should contend. Having Spyder on board will be awesome, hopefully we can deliver a victory with the new look – and the car looks great.”

Also adorning the livery will be James Sofronas in the No. 14 Spyder / The Thermal Club / Mobil 1 entry. For Sofronas, beyond the pressure of delivering in front of several Spyder guests and executives, Sonoma’s 2013 marks the last race that the Villa Park, California resident scored podium points, adding extra pressure to return to his winning ways.

“Any time we can race in California it’s an exciting time,” stated Sofronas. “Sonoma is such a unique challenge to race at, and last year’s race was quite a roller coaster for me personally. Andrew and I are ready for battle with the new look, and I know Bill will do a great job in GT-A.”

Finally, team veteran Bill Ziegler will continue in the No. 95 Swisher Racing machine. Ziegler, who nearly secured his second podium during the last round at Mid-Ohio, is once again banking on caution and consistency to deliver him more hardware this season.

“With such a long series of corner, Sonoma always is a little chaotic,” stated Ziegler. “We just want to run our own race, handle the traffic as best we can, and see where we are when it all ends. It’s such a great place to visit, it would be nice to walk away with more to add to the trophy case.”

The series will continue its double-header format this weekend, with practice taking place this Friday, followed by Race One at 5:35PM ET on Saturday, and Race Two at 7:40PM ET on Sunday.