DAYTONA, FL (Monday, January 20, 2025) – The newly launched RAFA Racing Team pulled out a stunning debut performance at Daytona International Speedway – coming away with a clean sweep of victories and having all three drivers on the podium in Sunday’s IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge event.
Formed for the 2025 season by merging the Texas-based RAFA Racing Team and Smooge Racing organizations, the new team claimed a pair of victories with 21-year-old Brazilian driver Kiko Porto taking both GSX class wins aboard his Toyota GR Supra GT-4 EVO2.
Porto’s team-mate, 2024 Porsche Sprint Challenge Cayman champion Ian “Crimsix” Porter, completed a great fightback to join Porto on the podium in Sunday’s race and also take the Bronze class victory.
Completing the hat-trick of RAFA aces on the podium was Matthew Dicken aboard his Ligier JS P320 in the LMP3 class.
“It was an amazing debut for the RAFA Racing Team to be able to sweep the weekend in VP Challenge and for the second race – get all of the cars on the podium,” said RAFA Racing Team Principal Kevin Conway.
“It was an incredible weekend. It’s all we could ask for. Kiko did an amazing job winning both races, and Ian Porter really stepped up all weekend after a challenging race, one by rebounding to grab third overall and first in the bronze class.
“I’m very proud of the entire team to be able to have that debut for the GR Supra GT-4. The cars were very strong and I can’t think of a better place than here at Daytona.
Porto joined the RAFA Racing Team this year after finishing third last season in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America championship last year.
“It was a very good weekend. First weekend under RAFA Racing Team colors and first weekend aboard a Toyota Gazoo Racing car. I’m super happy with the opportunity,” Porto said.
“From the first time I sat in the car, we had a very good balance. Since the first practice, we managed to be P1 in every session.
“I was super happy with what the team gave me, and I also learned a lot. The Toyota is very different from anything that I have raced before.
“It was my first attempt at multi-class racing, so I knew it would be different. Our car would be stronger in some parts of the track, and some of the opposition would be better in other parts.
“My first time Daytona, first qual, and first race ever here. I’m super happy and ready to go to Circuit of The Americas in a little more than a month.”
The Roar Before the Rolex 24 weekend at Daytona not only featured the opening rounds of the IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge, but also the RAFA Racing Team’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge entry of RAFA Racing Club founder Rafael Martinez and Jim Jonsin was also on track at the Roar before the 24 test.
The team’s No.12 GR Supra GT-4 completed valuable testing miles with Jonsin recording the 13th fastest time out of a total of 56 GS-class drivers entered for Friday’s four-hour battle. Martinez and Jonsin will be joined by team boss Conway as the third driver for the opening round of the championship.
In addition to the team’s Michelin Pilot Challenge debut, RAFA Racing Team entries also will be on track in the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup series across the Rolex 24 At Daytona weekend in collaboration with McCumbee McAleer Racing. Uruguayan racer Maite Caceres and last year’s Porsche Sprint Challenge star, Caroline Candas, will be on track for the first time with practice beginning on Wednesday.
“The last 60 days leading up to this weekend have been a blur. We’ve gone from one organization, merging two separate groups and doing a complete rebrand,” Conway said.
“New cars, new people, a whole new look – I couldn’t be more excited about the future.
“Everybody pulled together and worked extremely hard to make this happen and I’m very proud of all the guys and girls that are part of this that made it happen.”
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