Ryan Yardley Won Inaugural SRO GT Academy Title

The American racer secured his spot for the 2027 24 Hours of Spa by winning the new SRO driving competition.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Motorsports

Ryan Yardley Won Inaugural SRO GT Academy Title

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Ryan Yardley has won the inaugural American edition of the SRO GT Academy, earning a prestigious seat in the 2027 24 Hours of Spa. The competition is designed to identify and support top-tier young talent within the professional GT racing circuit.

Why it matters

This victory provides a clear development pathway for young racers, as the SRO GT Academy connects regional champions to a high-profile international endurance racing opportunity. By forming a unified global driver lineup, the initiative aims to accelerate the careers of top-performing drivers under 30.

The SRO GT Academy is restricted to FIA Silver-rated drivers under the age of 30. Yardley and teammate Dave Musial Jr. previously finished the 2026 GT World Challenge America season second in the Pro-Am championship standings.

The players

Ryan Yardley

He is the inaugural winner of the American SRO GT Academy who previously competed for Wright Motorsports.

Wright Motorsports

This professional racing team fielded the car for Ryan Yardley during the 2026 GT World Challenge America season.

Team Motopark

This organization will manage the Mercedes-AMG GT3 vehicle for the selected driver lineup at the 24 Hours of Spa.

Dave Musial Jr.

He competed as the teammate of Ryan Yardley during the 2026 GT World Challenge America campaign.

Zachary Vanier

He was the primary competitor contending against Ryan Yardley for the American SRO GT Academy title.

The details

Drivers in the academy were evaluated on individual consistency, speed, and overall performance throughout the 2026 season. Yardley earned his place in the international driver lineup, which will pilot a Mercedes-AMG GT3 vehicle operated by Team Motopark.

The 2026 season served as the evaluation period for the academy drivers.
The SRO GT Academy event in Shanghai is scheduled for October 31-November 1, 2026.
The SRO GT Academy event in Adelaide takes place on November 28/29, 2026.
The 24 Hours of Spa race will occur on June 24-27, 2027.

Season Trajectory

This achievement establishes a new entry point for regional racers into the international endurance hierarchy, directly impacting the roster composition for the prestigious 24 Hours of Spa. Winning this academy title effectively secures a high-visibility platform for Yardley, diverging from standard paths into professional GT racing.

Yardley has secured one of the four available international seats for the 2027 endurance classic. Fans should track the upcoming regional academy events in Shanghai and Adelaide to determine the final composition of the international team lineup.

The takeaway

The SRO GT Academy successfully translates regional performance metrics into international opportunities for young drivers. Aspiring professionals should focus on consistency and speed across entire seasons to secure similar advancement opportunities in elite endurance series.