Sports

Porsche Reveling in GTP, GTD PRO Title Sweeps

Published

2 years ago

November 12, 2024

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (IMSA Wire Service) – Not long after the celebration subsided last month at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, the question arose.

When was the last time Porsche won manufacturer championships in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the same year in different classes with a factory team and a customer team?

“It’s not often, that’s for sure,” joked Urs Kuratle, Porsche Motorsport’s director of Factory Racing LMDh.

The illustrious German automaker won the manufacturer championship last month in the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class at the season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans on the strength of its two Porsche Penske Motorsport factory entries. At the same time, Porsche won the manufacturer championship in the Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) class with the help of AO Racing, its top-performing customer team in GT classes.

The unusual accomplishment embodies Porsche’s wide-reaching influence and success in the history of endurance racing. The significance of the accomplishment didn’t hit Kuratle at the October finale until competitors began congratulating him.

“It took me a while to realize what we just achieved on the whole thing,” he said. “Sometimes you realize it only from the reaction of external people who congratulate you. … It takes everybody a while to realize something like this.”

The GTD PRO championship reflected Porsche’s rich history of customer racing and its other programs and ladder series, including Porsche Carrera Cup North America that competes under the IMSA umbrella.

“It’s becoming that big and that much a part of the history of Porsche that the marketing purpose still is clearly there,” said Volker Holzmeyer, president and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America. “Porsche is a sports car manufacturer. The best way to prove that is to have success on the track. If your customers have success on the track, it’s an even better story.”

This unusual chapter in the company’s history began in 2022, when Porsche engineers began the task of sorting out the new LMDh car that would fill the GTP class in IMSA and the Hypercar class in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) for the 2023 season.

“We had experienced people on board, but we had to bring them together as a group,” Kuratle said. “We were working quite intensively throughout last year. Toward the end of last year, we already could see in IMSA as well as in WEC, some success on track.”

Almost immediately, reliability became the primary issue. The hybrid-based car was unlike anything Porsche had produced. It was fast when it wanted to be, but a pain when it didn’t.

“We were not famous for being the most reliable team or the most reliable car for a number of reasons,” Kuratle said of the ’23 season. “That was something we worked really hard at during the offseason. Then we won Daytona this year. I’m not saying we overcame all of the problems yet but the reliability was a huge step.”

The footings for that step showed in late 2023, when Porsche Penske Motorsport’s No. 6 and No. 7 cars finished first and second at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was clear the new Porsche 963 had considerable speed, setting the path for this season.

“The biggest chunk of it was reliability and structural changes within the team,” Kuratle said. “The smallest part probably was performance, but it was there, as well.”

As Kuratle mentioned, Porsche came out of the gate strong in 2024, with the No. 7 entry winning the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January. It kick-started a season that saw the No. 7 accomplish the rare feat of leading the team and driver championships from start to finish, adding one more win (Watkins Glen) and five additional podium results along the way. The No. 6 Porsche, with two wins of its own (WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Road America), placed second to its sister car in the GTP championship.

On the GTD PRO side, the challenge for 2024 was finding a new partner to replace Pfaff Motorsports, which went with McLaren for the 2024 season. Porsche, which had won GT class championships three of the previous four years, found a solid match with AO Racing.

Trouble is, it was facing some stout factory teams.

“That’s what makes us really proud,” Holzmeyer said. “With a factory effort, you put a little money in it and you control everything. I wouldn’t say it’s easier, but for a customer team to accomplish that, it really comes from the heart.”

AO put together a remarkable season with its No. 77 Porsche 911 GT3 R – three wins in 10 races, a team championship and driver championship by Laurin Heinrich – to secure the manufacturer championship for Porsche, which embraced the team’s keen dinosaur-themed liveries.

“It was a genius idea,” Holzmeyer said. “They’re getting the new generation excited about racing. This will help us – maybe not next year, but in the future. Everybody needs to thank them for that, even the competitors. If you saw the lines at the autograph sessions, it was all young kids and families.”

So, while the past – including the most recent part of it – is on everyone’s minds, the future is in Porsche’s immediate plans.

“We will always have customers who want to race the IMSA program with our products and stay within the product family,” Holzmeyer said. “For next year, I don’t see any reasons why the success story shouldn’t continue.”

(Photo of Porsche Penske Motorsport team courtesy of Porsche Motorsport)

Central Florida News

USF Comes Up Short at UTSA as Late Touchdown Seals 31-24 Loss

Published

6 days ago

October 9, 2026

NISEY LOU S.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — USF running back D.J. Crowther (5) crosses the goal line on a 15-yard touchdown run to open the scoring against UTSA Thursday night at the Alamodome. Photo by Stephen Galvin / University of South Florida Athletics.

South Florida held an early advantage and reclaimed the lead late, but UTSA’s second-half execution proved to be the difference Thursday night at the Alamodome.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (FNN SPORTS) — South Florida gave itself a chance to steal a road win Thursday night, but UTSA answered when it mattered most, defeating the Bulls 31-24 at the Alamodome.

USF struck first behind D.J. Crowther, who broke through for a 15-yard touchdown run to give the Bulls an early advantage. Quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. helped keep South Florida’s offense moving throughout the night as the Bulls continued to respond whenever UTSA threatened to take control.

USF stayed within reach from start to finish, but the second half belonged to a UTSA offense that consistently found a way to finish drives.

UTSA Finds Its Rhythm

Running back A’Marion Peterson became the difference-maker for the Roadrunners, finishing with 92 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

UTSA scored on every second-half possession, gradually shifting momentum away from a USF team that continued to battle offensively. The Roadrunners leaned heavily on their ground game while keeping the Bulls from building any sustained separation.

(more…)

Basketball

UPSHOT Announces Professional Women’s Basketball Franchise for Tampa Bay

Published

1 week ago

October 7, 2026

NISEY LOU S.

Jacksonville Waves battle at the rim against the Charlotte Crown during UPSHOT League action in Jacksonville. Photo by Nisey Spruill/FNN Sports.

New team will debut at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027 as fans help shape the franchise’s identity

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — UPSHOT League officially announced the arrival of professional women’s basketball in Tampa Bay, with the new franchise scheduled to begin play at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027.

UPSHOT Tampa branding unveiled as the league prepares for its inaugural 2027 season in Tampa Bay. Image courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.

Owner Morgan Busby introduced the vision behind bringing elite women’s basketball to the region, while Garland Cooper was announced as team president. UPSHOT Deputy Commissioner Taj McWilliams-Franklin also joined the launch alongside local leaders as the organization emphasized community involvement, fan experience and competitive excellence as core parts of the franchise.

FAN INVOLVEMENT: The Tampa franchise does not yet have an official team name. Fans are being invited to submit ideas and take part in helping shape the team’s identity ahead of its inaugural season. Season-ticket deposits and founding membership opportunities are also available.

UPSHOT Tampa President Garland Cooper speaks with media following the announcement of Tampa Bay’s new professional women’s basketball franchise. Photo courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.

Community outreach began immediately with a “Shoe a Day” initiative supporting young athletes in the Tampa Bay area. During media availability, Cooper also spoke about the importance of giving young girls an opportunity to see what is possible through professional women’s sports.

Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise and Advisory Board Chair Kathleen Shanahan were among the community leaders in attendance, highlighting the potential economic and social impact of adding another professional sports organization to the region.

INAUGURAL SEASON: UPSHOT Tampa is scheduled to tip off at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027, adding professional women’s basketball to an established Tampa Bay sports market that already includes the Buccaneers, Lightning and Rays.

The team name, branding and additional franchise details are expected to be announced as the organization continues building toward its first season.

– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com

Central Florida News

Orlando Magic Announce $20 Tickets, $2–$7 Concessions for Home Games

Published

2 weeks ago

October 1, 2026

FNN SPORTS

New affordability options include ticket offers, merchandise deals and select concessions at Kia Center.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Orlando Magic announced new affordability options Wednesday, including $20 ticket offers, select concessions priced from $2 to $7 and merchandise starting at $15, aimed at making home games more accessible to fans.

The initiative includes monthly ticket promotions, community ticket programs, designated concession value menus and retail deals at Kia Center.

“Making Magic games accessible to every fan has always been a priority for our organization, and this season we worked closely with the DeVos family to build on that commitment,” said Charlie Freeman, the Magic’s president of business operations.

$20 Ticket Offers and Community Programs

The Magic’s Monthly Steals Program will offer $20 ticket options for every home game, with offers released on the first of each month.

The team also will offer group ticket options, including complimentary tickets through the Jr. Magic and Honor Roll programs. Discounted tickets will be available to Orange County Public Schools staff and through OneBlood donations.

Fans can find more information at OrlandoMagic.com/MonthlySteals or by calling 407-89-MAGIC.

Concession Value Menu Features Items From $2 to $7

The Fan Favorites Value Menu will be available at Slam Dunk in Section 115 and Flavors of Orlando in Section 218.

Select food and beverage items will cost between $2 and $7. Options include hot dogs, pretzel bites, popcorn, nachos, cookies, chips, bottled water, soda and beer.

“From affordable ticket and concession options to retail merchandise deals, we want to make sure a Magic game remains within reach for families across our community,” Freeman said.

Merchandise Deals Start at $15

The Magic will offer an item of the game at every home game, with merchandise starting at $15.

Weekly deals at the Magic Authentics team shop at Kia Center also will feature a $15 hat or T-shirt. The team’s Eighty9 Collection, an affordable private-label merchandise line, will be available in the shop at each game.

SunRail Partnership Supports Game-Day Transportation

The Magic said they will continue working with SunRail to ensure trains operate after weeknight home games, allowing fans to ride free with a game ticket.

According to the announcement, SunRail serves 17 stations across Central Florida, including locations in DeLand and DeBary, and provides access near Kia Center.

Keeping Games Within Reach for Fans

Freeman said the affordability initiative reflects the ownership group’s commitment to maintaining access as the team grows.

“The DeVos family ownership has been clear that growth on the court should go hand-in-hand with keeping this experience affordable for the fans who support us every night,” he said.