After a long wait, the 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) America powered by AWS season roared into life at Sonoma Raceway with the first three-hour race of the calendar. While championship points were on the line, there was also a major incentive: a fully funded Silver Cup seat at the 2027 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.
Notably, the weekend marked the North American debut of the SRO GT Academy. Nine eligible drivers entered the initiative, all aiming to secure a pathway into one of the world’s most prestigious GT3 races.
A new approach to driver evaluation
The SRO GT Academy introduces a fresh and analytical approach to assessing emerging talent. Specifically, it focuses on Silver-rated drivers under the age of 30 and evaluates them based on pure performance indicators.
Rather than relying solely on race results, the programme measures key attributes such as qualifying pace, average stint times and sportsmanship. As a result, it removes external variables and creates a level playing field for all participants.
Sargent dominates across the board in GTWC America season opener in Sonoma
In California, it was Tom Sargent who stood out from the competition. Now in his third GTWC America season, Sargent delivered a commanding performance in the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3-R (992) EVO alongside teammate Kyle Washington, securing victory in the Pro-Am class.
However, it was not just the race result that impressed. In qualifying, although JMF Motorsports recorded the best combined times, Sargent led on individual merit. He topped the Pro-Am field and set the fastest overall lap with a time of 01:32.673.
Moreover, his pace carried into the race. His average lap time of 01:34.201 placed him more than four tenths clear of his nearest rival. In addition, his fastest race lap of 01:33.936 was over half a second quicker than the next-best effort, underlining his dominance.
With 12 points awarded per evaluation category, Sargent secured a perfect 36-point score from the opening round. Consequently, he built a 13-point lead over Riley Dickinson of Kellymoss, who finished second in both average and fastest race lap metrics but ranked fourth in qualifying pace. This early advantage places Sargent firmly in control as the season begins to unfold.
Eyes on a return to Spa
Importantly, Sargent is no stranger to the demands of Spa-Francorchamps. He competed in the 2025 edition of the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa with Wright Motorsports, finishing fourth in class and 16th overall in a 76-car field. Now, with the incentive of a fully funded return on offer, his motivation is clear.
“To be part of the SRO GT Academy program is super exciting. It’s a great program that SRO is offering this year to help Silver drivers take the next step in their careers. I was fortunate enough to compete in the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa last year and the thought of possibly getting a chance to go back is awesome. It’s obviously the premier GT3 race in the world and it’s great to be able to compete against the best there is. We have a long season ahead with many rounds still to go before the final decision is made, but we’re off to a very good start this year and hopefully we can continue the strong momentum.”
Looking ahead, Sargent’s near-perfect weekend has set a high benchmark for his rivals. Nevertheless, with multiple rounds still remaining, consistency will be crucial in maintaining his lead. For now, though, the Australian has laid down a clear marker. If he continues at this level, a return trip to Spa—and a major career opportunity—may well be within reach.
