Ryan Yardley has secured his place on the grid for the 2027 24 Hours of Spa. The New Zealander was crowned the SRO GT Academy winner in GT World Challenge America powered by AWS during the season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, becoming the first Kiwi to join Jarrod Waberski at the world’s biggest GT3 race.
Yardley takes the title in the inaugural American edition of the expanded SRO GT Academy, earning a fully funded drive at the 24 Hours of Spa on June 24-27 next year. Eligible young drivers were assessed throughout the season on individual performance, speed and progression.
A solid season with Wright Motorsports
Yardley raced all year with Wright Motorsports, sharing the car with Dave Musial Jr. in the Pro-Am class. The campaign began with second place at Sonoma Raceway and continued with a win at Circuit of The Americas. They added another podium with third at Road America and closed the season with third at the DESDER Indianapolis 8 Hour. That consistency earned them second place in the Pro-Am championship.
A Team Motopark Mercedes-AMG GT3
The 28-year-old now joins Jarrod Waberski, the British GT SRO GT Academy winner, in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 run by Team Motopark. They will share the car with fellow Academy winners from GT World Challenge Asia and Australia, forming an international line-up of emerging GT talent.
The SRO GT Academy was created to identify and promote the next generation of professional GT drivers, offering a platform to FIA Silver-rated competitors under the age of 30. The chance to race at Spa-Francorchamps against some of the world’s best GT drivers is a major milestone in Yardley’s career.
A growing academy
The Academy’s expansion in 2026 is another step in SRO Motorsports Group’s commitment to developing future professional drivers. Originally launched in the Championnat de France FFSA GT, the initiative has grown into an international programme spanning several championships and continents.
What is still to be decided
With Yardley and Waberski confirmed, attention turns to the Asia and Australia contests, which will determine the final two members of the 2027 Spa line-up. In Asia, Yu Kuai leads the standings ahead of his home event in Shanghai on October 31-November 1. In Australia, leading contender Oscar Targett could secure his place in Adelaide on November 28/29.
