PWC Driver Profiles

 
Johnny O'Connell
Hometown: Flowery Branch, GA

No. 3 Cadillac Racing Cadillac CTS-V Coupe



World Challenge Class: GT
2013: Finished first overall in the GT Driver's Championship, scoring 5 wins and a total of 10 poduim finishes.  Won the manufacturers title for Team Cadillac for the second year in a row with teammate Andy Pilgram
2012: Finished first overall in the GT Driver's Championship with wins at St. Pete, Detroit and a total of 8 podiums.  Won the manufacturers title for Team Cadillac with teammate Andy Pilgram
2011: Finished second overall in the GT Drivers’ Championship with wins at Mid- Ohio in Round 8 and Road Atlanta in Round 12.

Racing Career:
Formula Atlantic West,1987-88. American Racing Series 1989. IMSA GTO 1991-95. IRL 1996. PCSR World Sports Car Championship 1997-98. American Le Mans Series 1999-2010. Winner of the Le Mans 24h in the GT1 class 2009, Second in American Le Mans Series - GT1 2009. Second in Le Mans 24h - GT1 class 2008, American Le Mans Series champion in the GT1 class 2008. Second in Le Mans 24h - GT1 class 2007, Second American Le Mans Series - GT1 2007. Third in American Le Mans Series GTS 2005, Second in Le Mans 24h - GT1 class 2005. American Le Mans Series class GTS champion 2004, Second in Le Mans 24h - GTS class 2004. American Le Mans Series class GTS champion 2003, Third in Le Mans 24h - GTS class 2003. Winner of the Le Mans 24h in the GTS class 2002. Winner of the Le Mans 24h in the GTS class 2001, Winner of the Le Mans 24h in the IMSA / GTS class 1994.

Personal:
Has two children (Canaan and Kelly). Lists CTS-V Sedan, Chevrolet Corvette as daily drivers, Italian as his favorite food, O’Reilly Factor as his favorite TV show, Phil Hill as his racing hero and Sebring as his favorite track.

(Courtesy of WC Vision)

 
Andy Pilgrim
Hometown: Del Ray Beach, Fla.

No. 8 Cadillac Racing Cadillac CTS-V Coupe



World Challenge class: GT
2013: Finished 3rd in GT Drivers points, 1 win @ Sonoma and 9 podiums on the year. Won the manufacturers title for Team Cadillac with teammate Johnny O'Connell.
2012: Finished 2nd in the GT Drivers Championship, with a win at Long Beach and five podiums. Won the manufacturers title for Team Cadillac with teammate Johnny O'Connell.

Career Highlights:
1995 IMSA Grand Sport Endurance Champion. 1997 and 1998 IMSA GT1 Champion. 2004 Rolex 24 At Daytona overall winner. 2005 SPEED GT Drivers’ Champion. 2010: Finished 4th in GT Drivers’ Championship. Won Round 11 at VIR. Previously: From 1978-1980, competed in open-class and modified production motorcycles in England. Captured 71 wins and five Divisional and National Championships during that time.

Moved to the United States in the early 1980s and began racing professionally in 1984. Driving a Pontiac Firebird, grabbed his first professional win in the IMSA Firestone Firehawk Endurance Championship at Sears Point in 1986. Won 20 Firehawk series races in 106 starts over the next decade. His record of 116 consecutive race finishes in IMSA/PSCR events is unprecedented. Made 23 World Challenge starts from 1990-1994 and 1996. In those starts, Pilgrim recorded four wins, 11 top-fives, and 22 top 10 finishes. In 1994, won one race in the IMSA Supercar Series driving a Lotus. Captured six wins en route to winning the IMSA Grand Sport Endurance Championship in 1995. In 1996, won the GTS-2 12 Hours of Sebring and won two World Challenge races (Road America, Reno) in three starts. In 1997, had four race wins en route to winning the PSCR GT1 Championhsip driving a Porsche 911 GT1 with Alan McNish. Won the PSCR GT1 Championship in 1998 and had two PSCR GT2 wins that same year. From 1999-2003, Pilgrim recorded seven GTS wins, driving a Corvette, in the American Le Mans Series. Class win in the Rolex 24 At Daytona in 2002.

In 2003, drove a Daytona Prototype to victory circle at the Rolex 24 in Grand-Am. Made immediate impact in 2004 as one of General Motors’ Cadillac CTS-V program pilots, earning a podium (2nd place at Sebring) in his debut while recording the fastest race lap in a charge from the back of the field. Finished the season with six top-5 finishes and eight top-10 marks overall. Earned first GT Drivers’ Championship in 2005 without winning a single race, using eight top-five finishes and 11 top-10s. Best finish came at Road Atlanta, where he finished second in a podium sweep by Team Cadillac. His efforts also helped propel Cadillac to the SPEED GT Manufacturers’ Championship. In 2006, finished all but one race in the top-10, with five top-five finishes and four podiums. Finished season third in the Drivers’ Championship. Broke a 10-year (29-race) series winless streak with a victory at Road Atlanta. Finished second in the 2007 SPEED GT Championship with Team Cadillac. Finished only one race outside the top-10 and collected wins at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Set the Watkins qualifying lap record in his Cadillac CTS-V and helped the marque earn its second SPEED GT Manufacturers’ title. Finished as the runner-up in the 2008 SPEED GT Drivers’ Championship piloting a Cadillac CTS-V for Team Remington Cadillac. Started the season with a streak of five podium finishes in-a-row. Capped off the season with an additional three podiums in the final three rounds. In 2009, finished fourth in the GT Championship in a K-Pax Volvo S60. Earned wins at New Jersey Motorsports Park and Road America, and a total of six top-five finishes, in his first year driving a Volvo.

Personal Information:
Founded the Andy Pilgrim Foundation to educate new drivers, parents and all adults about the deadly problems associated with distracted driving. http://www.andypilgrimfoundation.org/
Drives a Cadillac CTS-V and Mini Cooper S on the street. Owns an IT company, but first job was working at an insulin plant. Favorite food is sushi and enjoys the cartoon Squidbillies. Monza is his favorite track. Lists Senna, Hailwood and Clark as his racing heroes.

(Courtesy of WC Vision)

 
Lawson Aschenbach
Hometown: Darnestown, M.D.

No. 1 Blackdog Racing Chevrolet Camaro



World Challenge Class: GT/GTS/TC
2013: Won the GS Class Drivers Championship, finishing with 6 wins and 11 podiums. Claimed the GS team title with Tony Gaples, driver/owner of Blackdog Racing.
2012: Finished fourth in GT Drivers Championship, secured 2 poles and one victory.  Finish on the podium 5 times and 9 top fives.
2011: Won the Touring Car Drivers’ Championship piloting a Honda Civic Si winning five races and an equal number of poles and boosting Honda to their sixth Manufacturers’ Championship in the series and first since 1996. Compass360 Racing earned the team title in Touring Car for their support of Aschenbach’s season.

Career Highlights:
1992-2000: Karting; 2000-2001: SCCA Formula Ford 1600 Racing; 2002-2003: Formula Ford Zetec Championship; 2005: IMSA CUP / World Challenge (both partial season); 2006-2007: SPEED World Challenge; 2008-2009: Grand-Am Rolex / KONI Challenge (both partial season); 2010: Grand-Am Continental Tire Challenge / American Le Mans (ALMS Partial Season); 2011: Grand-Am Continental Tire Challenge / World Challenge. Awards: 2010 Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge ST Champion (Compass360 Racing Honda Civic Si); 2006 SPEED World Challenge GT Champion (Jon Groom Racing Porsche GT3); 2002 Road to Indy Oval Crown Champion; 2001 SCCA South East National Formula Ford Champion; WKA National Karting Champion; 4-time WKA Grand National Karting Champion; North American Karting Champion. Aschenbach has been a part of five Manufacturers’ Championships (Porsche 2006, Cadillac 2007, Chevrolet 2008, Honda 2010, Honda 2011)

Personal:
Single, born November 22, 1983. Drives a GMC Yukon Denali on the street and lists anything healthy as his favorite food. His favorite TV show is ESPN’s Sports Center and lists his favorite tracks as Mid-Ohio, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Road Atlanta, and Watkins Glen. Lists dealership lot attendant as his first job.

(Courtesy of WC Vision)

 
Randy Pobst
Hometown: Gainesville, GA

No. 6 K-Pax Racing Volvo S60



World Challenge class: GT
2013: Finished 4th overall in GT Drivers Championship with a win @ Detriot and 7 podiums.
2012: Finished 3rd overall in GT Drivers Championship, with two wins at Mid-Ohio and 5 podiums.
2011: Finished 9th overall in GT Drivers Championship.

Career Highlights:
Porsche (2001), Audi (2003-04) and Mazda (2005-07) factory driver, second on all-time active road racing drivers’ career win list with more than 70 victories. 1992 Valvoline Runoffs Showroom Stock C Champion, 1995 Valvoline Runoffs Showroom Stock A Champion, 1996 North American Super Touring Champion, 1997 North American Super Touring Series Champion, Won the 2001 and 2006 Daytona 24 Hour race in GT class. Six SCCA Solo National Championships. 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2010 GT Champion.

Previously:
Began racing in 1985 at Sebring. Won six SCCA national Solo championships. Prepared and raced his own Mazda Miata in SCCA Club Racing events from 1992 through 1995, finishing first or second every year, including a win in 1992. Also won the 1995 Runoffs in SSA driving a BMW. Won two Firestone Firehawk championships. Has had six starts at the SCCA Runoffs. Has two touring car championships. Won the 2001 24 hour race at Daytona. In 2001 signed a deal with Porsche as a factory driver. In 2002, missing three races he was still able to finish third in points in the SPEED GT. driving a Porsche. Competed in ALMS and Grand Am. Also, drove in four ALMS races in the GT class, with a season-best finish of second in class at the Petit Le Mans. Finished fourth in Worldwide Porsche Cup point championship. In 2003, drove a factory Audi RS 6 en route to winning the SPEED GT Drivers’ Championship. In 10 SPEED GT races, Pobst recorded two wins (Road Atlanta and Puerto Rico), eight podium finishes, started from the pole position three times and set one fast race lap record (Puerto Rico). Helped Audi win its second SPEED GT Manufacturers’ Championship. In 2004, earned one win (Lime Rock) in 10 SPEED GT starts. Finished first or second in four of five events during one stretch. Drove an Audi R 6 for Champion Racing and nailed down fastest qualifier twice (Lime Rock and Road America). Also turned in fastest race lap at both Lime Rock and Mid-Ohio. Finished second in the 2005 Touring Car Drivers’ Championship on the strength of two wins (St. Pete, Portland), four poles (St. Pete, Mid-Ohio, Infineon, Portland) and seven front-row starts. Led Mazda to a second-place finish in the Manufacturers’ Championship. Finished runner-up in 2006 SPEED TC Drivers’ Championship in second year with the Tri-Point Mazda team. Took the pole and win at St. Petersburg and returned to the top of the podium again with a victory at Road Atlanta. Claimed a total of seven top-five finishes and only once finished outside the top-10 (Laguna Seca). Also contested two SPEED GT rounds in an At Speed Porsche 911 Cup, finishing eighth at Road Atlanta and helping Porsche win the Manufacturers’ Championship by winning the season finale at Laguna Seca. Had a busy 2007 season; competed in both categories, driving a Porsche 911 GT3 for K-PAX Racing/Jim Haughey LLC, and a Mazda6 for Tri-Point Motorsports, his third year with the team. Finished second in SPEED Touring Car Championship for the third year in-a-row on the strength of six top-five finishes including a pair of victories from pole at the Watkins Glen doubleheader, where he also reset the qualifying and race lap records. Nearly won both titles, but was spun from the SPEED Touring Car lead in the finale with two laps to go. Coupled with his SPEED GT victory, set a new Watkins Glen record of three professional race wins in a single weekend. Won SPEED GT race at Toronto as well, one of seven top-five finishes, which propelled him to his second SPEED GT Drivers’ Championship. Earned his second-consecutive SPEED GT Drivers’ Championship in 2008, piloting the K-PAX/3R Racing Porsche 911 GT3. Started the season off 119 The Drivers with a win at Sebring and would earned additional wins at Watkins Glen and Detroit. Finished the season with a total of six podium appearances and only once finished outside the top five. Results helped Porsche earn its seventh Manufacturers’ Title. Also competed in Grand-Am competition. In 2009, finished sixth in the GT Championship in a K-Pax Volvo S60. Won at Autobahn for his 22nd career win, and finished second to his teammate at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Also, finished 2nd at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Was the fastest qualifier at Long Beach and Road America. In 2010, GT Drivers’ Champion (his 4th World Challenge Drivers’ Championship). Won Rounds 1 (St. Pete), 4 (Mosport), 7 (Toronto) and 10 (VIR).

Personal:
Born on June 26, 1957. Writes a monthly column for SportsCar, SCCA’s magazine. Drives a vegetable oil powered Volkswagen Jetta and an APR tuned Porsche 911 Turbo. Enjoys motorcycling and owns seven motorcycles. Diet is strictly raw and vegan foods. TV viewing is limited to SPEED, The Weather Channel and CNN. First job involved staging driving events at colleges with Dodge Daytona Turbos for the National Collegiate Driving Championships. Lists Peter Schwartzott, Andy Pilgrim and Bill Auberlen as his racing heroes, as well as his step-daughter Kelly, who is a professional drifter.

(Courtesy of WC Vision)

 
Alex Figge
Hometown: Denver, Colorado

No. 9 K-Pax Racing Volvo S60



World Challenge Class: GT
2013: Finished 5th in the GT Drivers Championship, with wins @ St. Petersburg and Mid-Ohio.
2012: Finished 5th in the GT Drivers Championship, with a win at Sonoma and two poles, along with 6 podiums.
2011: Competed in seven GT races and recorded his first career Pirelli World Challenge win at Mid-Ohio in Round 7.

Career Highlights:
Alex has raced for 13 years in Pro Mazda (wins, poles, podiums), USF2000 (poles, podiums), Formula Atlantic Championship (wins, poles, podiums), Champ Car (top tens), Grand Am DP and GT (wins, podiums), American Le Mans GT1 (multiple podiums), American Le Mans GT2 (Ferrari w/Tafel Racing), American Le Mans LMP (multiple podiums and fastest laps)

Personal: Married to Amy. Born January 29, 1981. Expecting first child in May 2011 (son). Is a hunting guide in the offseason, loves cooking and has four dogs.


(Courtesy of WC Vision)

 
Mike Skeen
Hometown: Portsmouth, VA

No. 2 Hawk Performance/CRP Racing Corvette



World Challenge Class: GT
2013: Finished 6th overall in GT Drivers Championship with one win @ Lime Rock and 3 podiums.
2012: Finished 6th overall in GT Drivers Championship with two wins at Mosport and a 3rd place finish at Miller Park
2011: Finished third overall in GT Drivers’ Championship with wins at Mosport in
Rounds 5 and 6 and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Round 11.

Career Highlights:
Eight years of kart racing with the Hampton Roads Kart Club from
1997-2004. Began instructing teen safe driving and high performance driving
schools in 2004. Competed in NASA SpecE30 series in 2007 and 2008.
Moved to SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am series for 2009 and 2010. Competed in
first Daytona Rolex 24 in 2011 with Bennett Racing Ferrari F430 effort. NASA
SpecE30 Regional Champion in 2007 & 2008; National Champion in 2008.
Second place finish and lap record on debut in SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am series (Road Atlanta, 2009).
2010 SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Rookie of the Year. In 2010, won his first career Pirelli World Challenge
start in GT in the CRP Chevrolet Corvette, Round 8 at Mid-Ohio and finished 9th in Round 9 at Mid-Ohio.

Personal:
Single, born October 25, 1986. Lists Michael Schumacher as his racing hero, Virginia
International Raceway as his favorite track and Tosh.0 as favorite TV show.

(Courtesy of WC Vision)

 
Tony Gaples
Hometown: Libertyville, IL

No. 11 Blackdog Racing Chevrolet Camaro



World Challenge Class: GTS
2013: Finished 7th overall in GS Drivers Championship with 9 top ten results, including a 5th at Sonoma.
2012: Finished 8th overall in GT Drivers Championship with 7 top ten results.
2011: Finished a career best 6th overall in GT Driver’s Championship on the strength of 11 top 10 finishes.

Previously: Ran Ferarri Challenge in 2001, finishing second at VIR and third at Indianapolis events and finishing third in final points standings. Won the 2002 SCCA Central Division Championship in T1. Ran two SPEED GT races in a Corvette Z06, with a season-best finish of 16th at Road America in 2002. In 2003, ran his first full season of SPEED GT and recorded one top-10 finish in season fianale in Puerto Rico. Finished third in Rookie of the Year points. In 2004, ran three SPEED GT events, with best finish (11th) coming at Mid-Ohio. Had a career year in 2005, finishing a personal-best second at Infineoon behind Lou Gigliotti. Made 11 starts, had six top-10 finishes to finish eighth in the SPEED GT Drivers’ Championship - the first time to finish in the top 10. Entered seven SPEED GT races in 2006 driving a Chevrolet Corvette, earning two top-ten finishes. Best result was ninth at St. Petersburg. Collected three top-10 finishes 2007 driving a Blackdog Racing Corvette. Best finish was seventh at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. In 2008, earned four top-10 results driving a Blackdog Racing Chevrolet Corvette en route to finishing ninth in the SPEED GT Drivers’ Championship. In 2009, finished a career best seventh in the GT Championship. Had seven top-10 finishes, with a best of fourth at Sebring. Earned Sunoco Hard Charger of the Year award. In 2010, started 12 races with nine top 10 finishes and finishing 8th overall in the GT Drivers’ Championship.

Personal: Born May 11, 1966. Drives a 1999 Porsche Convertible on the street. Likes Filet Mignon, the movie Kill Bill and all types of guitar music (blues, jazz, rock). His favorite track is Sebring and considers Michael Schumacher his racing hero.

(Courtesy of WC Vision)

 
Fred Roberts
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario

No. 89 Roberts Racing Dodge Viper SRT



World Challenge Class: GT
2013: Finished in the top in all 4 races entered.
2012: Started seven races in GT with three top 10 finishes
2011: Started six races in GT with two top 10 finishes.
2010: GT Rookie of the Year. Finished 11th in Drivers’ Championship.

Career Highlights:
Made three starts in World Challenge GT in 2008. Named the 2007 Viper Racing League Rookie of the Year. In 2010, was the GT Rookie of the Year. Finished 11th in Drivers’ Championship.

Personal:
Born in Toronto, Ontario, 02/02/1968
Names World Challenge icon, Ron Fellows, as a racing hero. His favorite track is Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

(Courtesy of WC Vision)

 
Peter Cunningham
Hometown: Grafton, WI

No. 42 RealTime Racing Acura TSX



World Challenge Class: GTS
2013: Finished 5th overall in GTS Drivers Championship with 6 podiums, including 4 second place finishes.
2012: Finished 1st overall in GTS Drivers Championship with eight podiums including wins at Laguna and Mid Ohio
2011: Finished 3rd overall in GTS Drivers’ Championship with 10 top 5 finishes and one win at Infineon.

Career Highlights:
Nine-time SCCA Pro Racing Drivers’ Champion: 1988 SCCA Endurance Class B Champion. 1989 SCCA Endurance Class B Champion. 1990 Race Truck Champion. 1995 World Challenge Super Production Champion. 1997 World Challenge T1 Champion. 2002, 2005 and 2008 Touring Car Champion. 2010 World Challenge GTS Champion. In 2001, recognized as all-time winning North American professional road racer. Leader of nearly every statistical category in World Challenge racing. Also has ice racing and Rally Championships. In 2000, was the first North American to win the prestigious Worldwide BMW Sports Trophy.

Professional History:
Started autocrossing at the age of 17, winning the first event entered. Professional career started in 1985 in the Playboy Endurance Cup. Was the SCCA Escort Endurance Class B Champion, driving a Honda CRX Si in 1988. Won the same title in 1989 and led the B class with 11 career victories. In 1990, won the Racetruck Championship in a Mazda and finished second (Honda CRX Si) in the first year of the SCCA World Challenge Super Production class. In 1993, led Honda to the Class C Manufacturers’ Championship, scored three victories and finished second in the Drivers’ Championship in a Honda Prelude Si. In 1994, drove to second place in the WC Super Production class, missing the Drivers’ Championship again by three points. In 1995, won his first World Challenge Drivers’ Championship (Class C) in a Honda Prelude Si. Recorded one victory (Trois-Riveres) and eight top-five finishes in as many races. In 1996, finished fifth overall with two wins in a T1 Acura NSX. In 1997, captured his second World Challenge Drivers’ Championship with four victories in a T1 NSX. Also in 1997, finished second in CART Super Touring Championship in a Honda Accord for Honda of America Racing Team. Finished third overall in the T1 Drivers’ Championship (Acura NSX) in 1998 on the strength of two wins. Also in 1998, signed on to to Team PTG’s BMW endurance racing program, competing with various co-drivers in USRRC and IMSA GT catagories. Over the next three seasons, scored three wins, 17 top-three and 27 top-10 finishes. Did not compete in World Challenge in 1999. In 2000, ran the entire SpeedvisionGT season in a BMW M3, recording a World Challenge record-tying 19th-career win at Ste. Croix. Recorded five top-10 finishes, four top-fives, and a season-high three pole positions. Made one Speedvision Touring Car start, finishing third. In 2001, finished runner-up in the Speedvision GT Championship in an Acura NSX SC, topping the statistical charts with a season-high five wins, seven poles, seven top-fives and nine top-10s. Broke the World Challenge record for wins at Sebring with 20. In his only Touring Car appearance of the season, drove a RealTime Racing Acura Integra R to a 10th-place finish after starting 40th at Road Atlanta. In 2002, captured third SPEEDWorld Challenge Touring Car title with one win, six top fives, ten top-10s and two poles in an Acura Integra Type R. Scored runner-up finish in GT Championship, with one win, eight top fives and ten top-10 finishes an Acura NSX SC. Became second driver in history to win both class races in the same weekend (Road Atlanta). In 2003, headed the Nissan factory team effort driving a Nissan SE-R Spec V. In the program’s first season, Cunningham recorded a flag-to-flag win at Road America, two podium, five top-five and six top-10 finishes en route to finishing fourth in the Drivers’ Championship. In 2004, completed second and final year of Nissan Sentra SE-R program, earning one win, six top-five and six top-10 finishes in 10 SPEED Touring Car events, finishing fifth in the point standings. The victory at Road America made it five consecutive seasons with at least one win. Won the season-long Air Force Reserve Pole Award for a class-best three poles won. Also drove in two SPEED GT races in an Audi RS6, earning a top-five and a top-10 finish. Earned fourth World Challenge Drivers’ Championship in 2005, his first since winning the 2002 Touring Car title. In eleven starts, earned one win (Sebring) to go along with seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes, all of which helped Acura claim the Touring Car Manufacturers’ Championship. Had four consecutive third-place finishes following season-opening win. Needs just one more win to earn 30 for his career and only seven starts to break the 150 start plateau. Finished fourth in the 2006 SPEED Touring Car Driver’s Championship. In ten starts, scored three podium and nine top-10 finishes, helping Acura to its record-sixth Manufacturers’ title. Broke a 25-race winless streak in 2007 at the series’ first visit to the Grand Prix of Toronto. Earned a second win in the final race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Had a total of four top-five finishes and eighth top-10s. Ended the season fifth in the Drivers’ Championship. Earned record-tying fifth World Challenge Championship in 2008, finishing all 10 rounds of SPEED Touring Car Championship in the top 10, including five top-three finishes and two pole positions. Driving a RealTime Acura TSX, helped lead American Honda to its record 11th Manufactuers’ Title. Also competed in the KONI Challenge. In 2009, finished third in the Touring Car Championship, finishing in the top-10 at all 10 races. Won at Mosport, and finished as the runner-up four times (New Jersey Motorsports Park, Autobahn, Mid-Ohio and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca). In 2010, won the 2010 GTS Drivers’ Championship with eight wins.

Personal:
Nickname is “P.D.” Born July 1, 1962 and is married to Rainey with one daughter, Audrey. Owns RealTime R&L, Inc., a racing team and logistics company in Wisconsin. Serves as one of three WC Vision Chairmen along with Nicholas Esayian and Charles Morgan.

(Courtesy of WC Vision)

 
Jack Baldwin
Hometown: Tampa, FL

No. 73 GTSport Racing with Goldcrest Porsche Cayman S



World Challenge Class: GTS
2013: Finished 2nd in GTS Drivers points, just 12 points back, with 3 wins and 10 podiums
2012: Finished 3rd in GTS Drivers Championship with 7 top fives including a win at Long Beach

Career Highlights:
Jack Baldwin is a legend in American Sports Car Racing, with wins in every series that he has competed in as well as victories at every major racetrack in the United States during his successful career that has spanned four decades. With over 500 professional starts, Jack has won five professional Championships and 34 major pro races, including one Daytona Rolex 24 Hour win and two 12 hours of Sebring wins. Jack was invited twice to compete in the International Race of Champions where he battled with Dale Earnhardt Sr for two second place finishes. 44 total years of road racing experience including SCCA, SCCA Pro Racing, Trans Am, IMSA, ALMS, Grand Am, Firehawk, IROC, NASCAR. Career highlights include 1972 US Formula Ford Champion; 1984-85 IMSA Camel GTU Champion; 1992 Trans Am Champion; 1993-94 IROC Competitor; 2009 HSR ROLEX Endurance Champion; 30 major pro wins; over 400 starts, one Rolex 24-Hours of Daytona win, two 12-Hours of Sebring wins.

Personal:
Jack's birthday is on May 31. He lists his daily driver as a BMW X5, his favorite food is seafood, Italian and all vegetables. His favorite TV show is Celebrity Apprentice and Shark Tank. Jack likes street courses especially Long Beach and St. Petersburg and lists his favorite permanent circuits as Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen and Road America.

(Courtesy of WC Vision)

 
Paul Brown
Hometown: Covina, CA
07/08/65 - 10/13/12

No. 50 Tiger Racing Ford Mustang Boss 302S



World Challenge Class: GTS
2012: Paul returned to racing after his bout with cancer to race the two events at Mosport, even though suffering from cancer related treatments, he managed to finish 3rd and 9th, it would be the last time he would drive a race car.
2011: Paul Brown’s return to World Challenge competition coincided with the return of the Ford Mustang Boss 302, and the two paired together for five wins and four poles on the way to Brown’s first Pirelli World Challenge drivers’ title and
the third Manufacturers’ Championship for Ford. Brown’s Tiger Racing team took home the Team Championship in the class.

Career Highlights:
Started SCCA Club Racing in 1992. Has served as a Ford Motor Company Tier 4 test driver and Aero Racing USA (Morgan) factory test driver. In 1993 finished eighth in first SCCA Pro Race, racing a Ford Mustang Cobra at Des Moines in the WC Class. Earned a total of 12 top-10 and four top-five finishes in World Challenge between 1993 and 1998. Best Championship finish came in 1998 when he finished sixth. Ended the year seventh in the 1999 SPEED GT Championship with four top-10 finishes and a career-high second-place at Vancouver, driving a Ford Saleen Mustang. In 2000, earned top-10 finishes at Lowes Motor Speedway, Lime Rock Park and Ste. Croix behind the wheel of a Saleen SR. Enter two events in 2001 with a Chevrolet Corvette, finishing 15th at Sebring and 14th at Road Atlanta. Finished 11th in the 2004 Le Mans Historic 24 Hours driving a 1971 Ferrari 512 M. Was a winner at the 2005 Monterey Historics in a 1961 Chaparral 1. In 2006 won the first-ever NASA American Iron Extreme national race. In 2008, Entered first two rounds of the SPEED GT season in a Porsche 911 GT3, finishing 10th at Sebring and 20th at Long Beach. In 2009, entered the season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in a Ford Mustang GT, finishing 20th. Personal Information Married to World Challenge veteran Carol Hollfelder. Is the race shop manager for Tiger Racing, but first job was as a Skip Barber mechanic. Drives a Ford Mustang GT on the street. Enjoys a good steak and the TV show Top Gear. Road America is his favorite track and Brian Redman is his racing hero

Personal:
Born July 8, 1965. Married to World Challenge veteran Carol Hollfelder. Is the race shop manager for Tiger Racing, but first job was as a Skip Barber mechanic. Drives a Ford Mustang GT on the street. Enjoys a good steak and the TV show Top Gear. Road America is his favorite track and Brian Redman is his racing hero.

Paul Brown passed away from aggressive melanoma on October 13th 2012


(Courtesy of WC Vision)

 
Bill Ziegler
Hometown: Verda Beach, FL

No. 95 Global Motorsports Group Audi R8 LMS



World Challenge Cass: GT/GTS
2013: Five starts, with 3 top ten finishes.
2012: Competed in eight GTS races with a top ten finish at St. Pete
2011: Competed in three GTS races.

Career Highlights:
After getting started with the BMW Car Club of America in 1998, began SCCA Club Racing in 2000. Was the 2007 June Sprints Touring 2 winner and 2007 SCCA Runoffs silver medalist in T2. Set fastest lap of the T2 2008 National Championship race in 2008. In 2009, finished 10th in the World Challenge GT Championship, earning Rookie of the Year. Recorded two 126 The Drivers 2012 Pirelli World Challenge Media Guide top-10 finishes with a season best finish of eighth at Sebring. In 2010, finished 12th in GT Drivers’ Championship.

Personal:
Born May 17, 1955. Drives a 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 on the street. Is married to Jackie. First job was painting houses. Enjoys kobe beef and the TV show 24. Favorite track is Lime Rock Park. Tom Kristensen and Hans Stuck are his racing heroes.


(Courtesy of WC Vision)

 
Andy Lee
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO

No. 20 BestIT Racing Chevy Camaro



World Challenge Class: GTS
2013: Finished 5th in GTS Drivers points, including 1 win and 6 podium finishes.
2012: Finished 2nd in the GTS Drivers Championship in his rookie season.  Five podiums, including four wins and 11 out of twelve races in the top ten, along with 3 poles.
2011: Andy raced in one Pirelli World Challenge Championships race (Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca) finishing eighth in GTS.

Career Highlights:
2003-2012 TAG and Shifter Kart Racing; 2008-2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup; 2010 Volkswagen Scirocco Cup; 2010 Baja 1000 (1600 Pro Class); 2011-2012 Grand-Am Continental Series (GS and ST); 2011 World-Challenge Series (GTS).
2008: First race was at VIR (Volkwagen Jetta TDI Cup)

Professional Highlights:
2008 Florida Winter Tour TAG class Champion for Tony-Kart USA/ Kosmic USA; 2008 finished 10th in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Championship; 2009 finished 2nd in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Championship; 2010 finished 11th at Brands Hatch in Volkswagen Scirocco Cup; 2010 finished 10th at the BAJA 1000 in the 1600 Pro Class; 2011 set fast time during testing at Daytona for I-Moto in Grand-Am Continental ST class

Personal:
Born Dec. 19, 1982. Lists the 2001 Audi A4 Avant as his daily driver, Sushi as his favorite food, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart as his favorite TV show, Darren Law, Johnny O’Connell and Mark Martin as his favorite drivers, and Brands Hatch as his favorite track.


(Courtesy of WC Vision)

 
James Sofronas
Hometown: Newport Beach, CA

No. 14 GMG Audi R8 LMS



World Challenge Class: GT
2013: Finished 2nd in GT Drivers’ Championship. 3 wins and 9 podiums
2012: Finished 9th in GT Drivers’ Championship. Five top 5 finishes in 2012.
2011: Finished fourth overall in GT Drivers’ Championship with seven top 5 results
2010: Finished 3rd in GT Drivers’ Championship with a win in Round 9 at Mid-Ohio and nine top five finishes.
2009: Finished 2nd in the GT Championship and earned his second and third career wins.
2008: Finished 4th in GT Drivers’ Championship, first WC victory, 9 top ten finishes.

Career Highlights:
Began racing Showroom Stock B in 1994 and made his World Challenge debut at Road America, finishing ninth in Super Production. Made five starts in 1995, finishing in the top-10 twice. In 1996, made three starts in T2 and one in T1, resulting in two top-10s and a front-row start at Lime Rock. In 1999, made one SPEED Touring Car start, finishing sixth at Laguna Seca. Won several BMW Club Races. In 2000, made two SPEED GT starts and two Speedvision Touring Car starts, recording a best finish of 15th in Touring Car at Road Atlanta. All starts were in BMWs. Ran eight SPEED GT races in a BMW M3 with a season-best finish of ninth at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Finished 14th overall in points. 2001 USTCC Champion in a BMW 328i with five wins out of seven races. In 2002, ran in five SPEED Touring Car races driving a BMW 325is. Recorded one top-10 finish at Mosport (second race) in sixth place. Started on the front row at Road America. Recorded one top-10 finish in nine SPEEDTouring Car starts in 2003. In 2004, ran the full 10-event SPEED Touring Car slate, recording four top-five and nine top-10 finishes in a BMW 325Ci. Finished fourth in the Driver’s point championship standings. Led the majority of the event at Mosport before finishing fourth. In 2005 raced in SPEED GT for the first time since 2001, piloted a Porsche 911 Cup to a pair of top-five finishes and three top-10s. Best qualifier came at Lime Rock, where he started fourth and finished third. At Laguna, started eighth on the grid before winding up fifth. Finished ninth in the 2006 SPEED GT Driver’s Championship behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3. Recorded three top-five finishes and five top-10 finishes. In 2007, continued SPEED GT racing in his Global Motorsports Group Porsche 911 GT3, collecting five top-10 finishes. Best result was a fifth at Sebring. Entered all but the final round of the SPEED Touring Car Championship in a Tecmark/GMG BMW 325Ci. Earned three top-five finishes, including runner-up finishes at Lime Rock Park and the second half of the Watkins Glen doubleheader. Finished seventh in the final points, making him the SPEED Touring Car 2007 Toyo Cup winner, awarded to the highest placing driver in the Championship whose primary occupation is not racing.

Personal:
Born Dec. 19, 1982. Lists the 2001 Audi A4 Avant as his daily driver, Sushi as his favorite food, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart as his favorite TV show, Darren Law, Johnny O’Connell and Mark Martin as his favorite drivers, and Brands Hatch as his favorite track.


(Courtesy of WC Vision)

MarK Wilkins
Hometown: Aurora, ON

No. 38 Kia Racing/Kinetic Motorsports Kia Optima



World Challenge Class: GTS
2013: Finished 3rd in GTS Drivers' points, 2 wins with and 6 podium finishes.
2012: Finished 7th in GTS Drivers' points, 1 win with and 2 podium finishes.

Career Highlights:
2001 Canadian Formula Ford Championship. 2002 USF2000 Zetec Championship. 2003 Fran Am Championship. 2004 Formula Renault North American Championship. 2005 Star Mazda Championship. 2006 Star Mazda Championship/ Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series. 2007-2011 Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series. 2012 Pirelli World Challenge. 2013 GT Podium – Rolex 24 at Daytona. 2012 Petit LeMans Winner PC Class. 2012 Mosport Grand Prix Winner – Pirelli World Challenge. 2010 – Sebring 12 hour and Laguna 6 hour race winner PC Class. 2008 – two-time race winner DP class Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series.

Personal:
Single, born May 9, 1983. Daily driver: 2011 Ford Edge. Favorite foods: prime rib, yorkshire pudding. Favorite TV show: Dragon’s Den. Favorite tracks: Toronto, Mosport, Road Atlanta, Mid-Ohio.



(Courtesy of WC Vision)

Tomy Drissi
Hometown: Hollywood, CA

No. 15 Blackdog Racing Chevrolet Corvette



World Challenge Class: GT
2013: Finished 10th in GT Drivers' points, 3 top ten finishes.
2012: Finished 12th in GT Drivers’ Championship with two top 6 finishes.
2011: Finished 8th in GT Drivers’ World Challenge Championship with nine top 10 finishes

Career Highlights:
His professional racing career highlights include; 1999 Trans-Am Rookie of the Year, 2000 Trans-Am BBS Most Improved Driver, 2000 Trans-Am Crew of the Year and Trans-Am Champion. In 2010 Tomy competed in Trans-Am taking 1 win, 1 pole, 3 podiums, 4 Top Fives, 7 Top Tens; He also competed in the American Le Mans Series LMP1 class at Mid-Ohio finishing 3rd. In 2007, he finished in a series high 3rd place at the season opener in the Sebring World Challenge. In 2008, he entered the World Challenge races at Sebring and Long Beach in a Chevrolet Corvette, but was injured in a practice crash at Long Beach, forcing him to cancel the remainder of his season. 2011 saw Tomy's return to the American Le Mans Series, LMPC division. He scored a 2nd at Long Beach, 3rd at Lime Rock, 1st at Mid Ohio,1st at Inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix and second at Road Atlanta -Petit Le Mans. In 2012, Drissi teamed with Bruno Junqiera for finishing 2nd at Laguna Seca, a win at Mosport (Canadian Tire Motorsports Park), 2nd at Baltimore and second at the season finale, Petit Lemans. NASCAR highlights include finishing 18th at the Nationwide race in Montreal in 2010. He raced in the Sprint Cup in Sonoma, but with 22 laps to go was spun out and could not complete the race.

Personal:
Tomy Drissi is an American driver and Trans Am Champion. His driver experience includes ALMS, Trans-Am, NASCAR and Pirelli World Challenge.  Born December 9 in Hollywood, California, Tomy owns an advertising firm that produces upcoming film displays for cinemas. Drissi's first racing experience in motorsports was street racing on Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills. Tomy is married to Lacy Livingston Drissi.


(Courtesy of WC Vision)