ACI Motorsports Enters GT World Challenge America With Ex-KCMG Porsches

What do you get when a sports car team from Eastern Tennessee recruits drivers from the neighbouring state of Georgia and the not-so-neighbouring country of Switzerland to drive a Porsche once run by a team from Hong Kong?

GT World Challenge America’s newest team to join the grid for the 2023 season is ACI Motorsports, who announced on Wednesday that they would enter a Porsche 911 GT3 R, type 991.2, for series newcomer Pedro Torres.

Established in Chattanooga, Tennessee by Curt Swearingin, ACI Motorsports has won over 50 races and 150 podiums since 2016, primarily in Porsche one-make racing series. The team made their GT4 America debut last autumn at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They’re taking the step up to GT World Challenge America with their #16 Porsche, previously owned and raced by KCMG.

“ACI is incredibly excited to have Spencer and Pedro behind the wheel of the #16 this year and we are honored that they’re part of the team,” said Swearingin. “To have such a strong pair of drivers, especially with the experience that both of them bring to the table, is a wonderful opportunity for us and we intend to capitalize on it. We will do everything possible to ensure they have the support they deserve.”

“We’ve been putting a lot of effort into our inaugural entry into SRO and based upon the success that we’ve seen in Porsche Carrera Cup, we feel ready to truly attack this season and thanks to the strength of our drivers and crew we expect to find ourselves in a good position on track,” he added.

Torres is an export from the Porsche Carrera Cup North America series and also has experience in the Creventic 24H Series. He finished ninth in the PCCNA Pro-Am championship standings, driving for ACI Motorsports.

As a nod to the car’s previous owners, Torres commissioned master livery designer Andy Blackmore to craft a white, blue, and black livery virtually identical to the one KCMG used previously – with a few subtle tweaks to accommodate his company, Stoneleaf Construction.

“I was really impressed with the team’s trajectory and growth,” said Torres. “With this I saw a great opportunity to develop the GT3 platform alongside ACI. I started professional/competitive racing three years ago with TPC Racing, and have been able to enjoy some great experiences working alongside Spencer between Porsche Sprint Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup North America.”

“I’m extremely excited to start this year with a GT World Challenge Program along with Spencer. It will be a great challenge and I’m looking forward to it.”

Pumpelly is returning to full-time SRO America competition for the first time since 2021, his first full season in a GT3 car since 2018 when he finished runner-up in the SprintX World Challenge. He brings with him over two decades of experience at the highest levels of North American sports car racing across IMSA and SRO America/World Challenge alike, headlined by a championship in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series, and two class victories at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.

“It’s great to be returning to SRO competition and I’m looking forward to continuing my work with ACI Motorsports. Pedro and I couldn’t be in a better position as we take on our first season as co-drivers,” said Pumpelly. “The entire ACI crew is top-level and we have some great drivers joining us under the awning. The vibe at ACI has always been a fun one and they do a great job supporting the cars at the track.”

“Pedro is also making a big transition as this will be his first SRO season, but having worked with him in the past I am confident I will have one of the best co-drivers in the field. We can’t wait to get the season started.”

This is the fifth customer Porsche to officially declare its entry into the upcoming GT World Challenge America season, which begins 31 March-2 April at Sonoma Raceway. It is also the second entry that will use the previous 991.2 model, following the second Wright Motorsports car for Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer.

In addition to their maiden foray into GT World Challenge America, ACI Motorsports also plan to support three entries in GT4 America this season along with programmes in PCCNA and Porsche Sprint Challenge North America.