Kellymoss Principal and Chief Business Officer Victoria Thomas has received the SRO Motorsports Group’s Jim Cook Award in recognition of her contributions to sportsmanship, community engagement and the development of opportunities within motorsport. The organisation presented the award during the 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by AWS season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Jim Cook Award recognises individuals whose efforts extend beyond competition, celebrating their commitment to strengthening relationships within the paddock and making significant promotional contributions to the championship.
Thomas has played an important role in developing Kellymoss’ racing operations while supporting initiatives that introduce new audiences to motorsport, encourage greater participation and provide opportunities for underrepresented communities. Her work with charitable organisations, female driver development programmes and youth outreach initiatives has consequently established her influence well beyond the team’s competitive achievements.
Thomas recognised for contributions beyond racing
Thomas has helped shape Kellymoss into one of North America’s leading Porsche racing operations, combining competitive success with a commitment to creating opportunities throughout the motorsport industry.
During the 2026 season, the Wisconsin-based outfit fielded six entries across GTWC America and Pirelli GT4 America. Its three-car GTWC America programme featured Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo machinery, while its GT4 operation continued developing emerging talent in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.
However, Thomas has consistently emphasised that Kellymoss’ responsibilities extend beyond achieving results on track. Alongside the team’s competitive programmes, she has supported initiatives that connect motorsport with education, charitable causes and career development.
The Jim Cook Award recognises that broader contribution, particularly her efforts to make racing more accessible while strengthening the relationships that support the sport’s continued growth.
Kellymoss strengthens support for Racing for Children
One of Thomas’ most established charitable commitments involves Kellymoss’ partnership with Racing for Children, an initiative that uses motorsport to support children undergoing treatment for cancer and other serious illnesses.
The relationship has developed over several years, with Kellymoss supporting opportunities for young patients to experience racing through activities such as hot laps and visits to motorsport events.
Furthermore, the programme has expanded into a wider awareness and fundraising initiative supporting Children’s of Alabama, helping families facing difficult medical circumstances.
The partnership also uses racing to increase awareness of childhood cancer and other conditions affecting young patients. Through its involvement, Kellymoss has helped connect the motorsport community with charitable organisations working to improve children’s lives.
Consequently, the programme reflects Thomas’ belief that racing teams can use their resources, visibility and relationships to make a meaningful contribution outside competition.
Female driver development remains central to Kellymoss’ ambitions
Thomas has also demonstrated a commitment to increasing opportunities for women in motorsport through Kellymoss’ participation in the Porsche Female Driver Program and its Race Forward: Be Your Own Hero initiative.
Both programmes seek to encourage greater female participation while highlighting the achievements of women already competing within the industry.
During 2026, Kellymoss fielded three female drivers across its Pirelli GT4 America programme, with Loni Unser, Ashley Freiberg and Erika Hoffmann representing half of the team’s driver line-up.
Thomas highlighted the importance of recognising their achievements while ensuring young girls can identify potential pathways into the sport.
“Having three incredibly talented women representing half of our GT4 driver lineup was something we were exceptionally proud of,” Thomas said. “Not because they are women, but because they earned their place on a highly competitive grid. Representation matters, and when young girls see women like Loni, Ashley, and Erika competing at this level, it changes what they believe is possible for themselves.”
Race Forward initiative encourages greater representation
Kellymoss’ Race Forward: Be Your Own Hero initiative forms another important part of Thomas’ efforts to encourage participation and strengthen representation within motorsport.
The programme focuses on creating opportunities for women while demonstrating that the sport offers numerous career possibilities beyond professional driving.
Through its involvement in female driver development, Kellymoss aims to highlight the importance of ability, preparation and determination while challenging perceptions surrounding who can pursue a career in racing.
Furthermore, the team’s commitment extends beyond providing competitive seats. By promoting the achievements of its drivers and encouraging engagement with younger audiences, Kellymoss seeks to inspire future generations to consider opportunities throughout the industry.
The presence of Unser, Freiberg and Hoffmann during the 2026 GT4 America season consequently provided visible examples of female competitors succeeding in a demanding racing environment, reinforcing the organisation’s wider development objectives.
Thomas expands youth outreach through community partnerships
Beyond its involvement in charitable and female driver development programmes, Kellymoss has established relationships with organisations including the Girl Scouts and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Thomas has helped organise experiences that introduce young participants to the different professions involved in motorsport, offering insight into an industry that extends far beyond its drivers.
These initiatives highlight opportunities across engineering, mechanical operations, strategy, logistics and business management, demonstrating the variety of roles that contribute to a professional racing programme.
Furthermore, the experiences allow participants to interact with individuals working within the paddock and gain a greater understanding of the skills required to pursue different motorsport careers.
By connecting young people with racing professionals, Thomas hopes to encourage greater awareness of opportunities that they may not otherwise encounter.
Her work therefore combines education with practical engagement, helping participants explore potential career paths while developing greater confidence in their abilities.
Thomas highlights achievements beyond the timing sheets
Although Kellymoss continues pursuing success across its competitive programmes, Thomas believes some of the organisation’s most important achievements occur away from the circuit.
The team’s outreach and development initiatives have provided opportunities for young people to discover new interests, explore careers and gain confidence through their involvement with motorsport.
For Thomas, those experiences hold considerable significance because they demonstrate how racing organisations can influence lives beyond their immediate competitive objectives.
“We are incredibly proud of what our team accomplishes on the track, but some of our most meaningful victories will never appear on a timing sheet,” Thomas expressed. “They are found in the confidence someone gains, the career someone discovers, or the opportunity someone receives because they became part of this community.”
Her comments reflect the philosophy behind Kellymoss’ wider community programmes, which aim to create meaningful opportunities while strengthening connections between the sport and the people it reaches.
Kellymoss aims to build lasting motorsport legacy
Thomas has also worked to establish a welcoming and supportive culture throughout Kellymoss, encouraging the organisation to measure its achievements through both sporting results and its wider influence.
The team’s commitment to community engagement has consequently become an important part of its identity, complementing its development within American GT racing.
Thomas acknowledged the collective effort behind that approach, emphasising the contributions of the organisation’s wider team and co-owner Andy Kilcoyne.
“We believe the greatest legacy we can leave is a sport that is stronger, more welcoming, and filled with opportunity for those who follow us,” Thomas shared. “This recognition means a tremendous amount to Andy, me, and our entire Kellymoss family. It reinforces why we do what we do, and inspires us to continue building something that matters long after the checkered flag falls.”
The award therefore recognises not only Thomas’ individual contributions but also the wider philosophy that continues guiding Kellymoss’ development.
Jim Cook Award recognises lasting contributions to motorsport
The SRO Motorsports Group presents the Jim Cook Award in memory of James Edwin Cook, recognising individuals who demonstrate sportsmanship, strong character and a commitment to the continued development of its racing championships.
Previous recipients have contributed to the organisation through promotional activities, paddock engagement and efforts to strengthen the wider motorsport community.
Thomas’ selection reflects her work across several areas, from Kellymoss’ competitive racing programmes to her support for charitable organisations and initiatives that encourage greater participation.
Furthermore, her commitment to connecting young people with motorsport opportunities demonstrates the potential for established racing organisations to influence future generations.
The 2026 award therefore celebrates a career that combines business leadership with community engagement, recognising Thomas’ efforts to create an environment where more people can participate in and benefit from motorsport.
For Kellymoss, the achievement provides another significant moment in the organisation’s history, reinforcing its ambition to leave a lasting legacy both on and off the circuit.
