Laurens Vanthoor is set for his Pirelli World Challenge debut, having been confirmed at GMG Racing for the opening two SprintX rounds with team owner/driver James Sofronas.

The newly minted Porsche GT factory driver will share the wheel of the team’s No. 14 Porsche 911 GT3 R with Sofronas, who is set for a full-season GTA class Sprint series program with the same car.

Sofronas’ Porsche is one three cars entered by his California-based squad for the PWC season, alongside the No. 17 Porsche for Alec Udell, and Preston Calvert for SprintX, and the team’s new McLaren 570S GT4 entry for George Kurtz in the GTS class.

“It’s great to be back in the Pirelli World Challenge for another season,” Sofronas said. “It’s incredible to think of how the series has grown over the years, and it’s been an honor to be a part of it.

“Our business has grown with it of course, and 2017 looks to be a great continuation of that.

“Last year we really enjoyed working with the current iteration of the Porsche 911 GT3 R in its first year of development, and headed in to this year we have a very good understanding of what to expect.”

The addition of Vanthoor for the SprintX rounds at Virginia International Raceway and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Sofronas said, is proof of its strengthened alliance with Porsche.

The 25-year-old Belgian is set for a busy year ahead, anchored by his full-season effort in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the factory Porsche GT Team.

“Of course a big part of that is our relationship with Porsche Motorsport North America, and the addition of Laurens Vanthoor for our opening two SprintX events is a huge demonstration of our mutual commitment to one another,” Sofronas added.

“Porsche has been a big part of our business over the years, and bringing in such a talented co-driver is a great opportunity for everyone. I’m really looking forward to St. Petersburg and it should be a great race.”