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GLTC Season Opener Recap – CMP 2025
April 17, 2025 The Condor

GLTC Season Opener Recap – CMP 2025

BMW E90 CMPBMW E90 83 at CMP

The 2025 Gridlife Touring Cup season kicked off this past weekend at Carolina Motorsports Park, and Condor Speed Shop racers Carlos Mendez and Thomas Lathrop came out swinging. With a full offseason of prep behind them and the support of key partners—ROWE Motor Oil, Motorsport Hardware, and HRE Wheels—both drivers showed strong pace, consistency, and serious racecraft in a stacked GLTC field.


Condor Speed Shop car 83

Carlos Mendez – Top 10 All Weekend

Carlos entered the season opener well-prepped, with a freshly dialed-in E90 and the determination to make it count. He quickly proved he’s a threat in the top 10, turning in one of his most consistent GLTC weekends to date.

Condor BMW E90

  • Qualifying: P9 – Right in the mix from the start.

  • Race 1: P8 – Gained a spot in the opener with clean, strategic driving.

  • Race 2: P6 – Turned up the heat and stayed glued to the front pack.

  • Shootout: P10 – Qualified 10th in the fast-paced, short-format qualifying session.

  • Race 3: P7 – Kept the momentum alive and held his ground in traffic.

  • Race 4: P6 – Closed out the weekend strong, maintaining top-10 form throughout.

  • Weekend Result: P6 - A rock-solid weekend—consistent top-10 pace, smart racing, and continued momentum heading into the next round

BMW E90 Condor 83

Mendez’s performance showed not just pace, but poise. Thanks to the offseason prep and rock-solid chassis, car #83 proved uber reliable, requiring only tire pressure adjustments, fuel, and tire changes.

 

Brakleen Car 84 going through Turn 1 at CMP

Thomas Lathrop – Wrench, Race, Repeat

Thomas Lathrop had a more dramatic weekend, with a bit of adversity thrown in. Despite mechanical issues, he showed real grit, staying focused and improving his finishing order in races 2 and 3.

Before the green flag even dropped for the qualifying session, Thomas had to swap a failing belt tensioner and power steering pump. He managed to put down a solid lap, qualifying P15.

BMW E90 Condor

  • Race 1: P17 – Battled mid-pack traffic and dropped 2 spots.

  • Race 2: P12 – Stronger pace and smart moves pushed him forward.

  • Post-Race: Discovered a failing right rear wheel bearing, forcing a late-evening repair effort.

  • Race 3: P8 – Started from P13 and drove one of his best races of the weekend, cracking the top 10 with confidence.

  • Race 4: P11 – Closed out the weekend with more valuable seat time and consistent pace.

  • Weekend Result: P12 – Faced a few hurdles but kept pushing—gained speed, confidence, and solid experience all weekend long
BMW E90 car 84 Condor

Mechanical issues tried to knock him out, but Lathrop and the crew refused to back down. With determination, hustle, and some late-night wrenching, they kept car 84 on track and competitive. Grit and grind—by reason or by force—that’s how you set the tone for the season.

 

ROWE E90 CMP

Built to Race – Thanks to Our Sponsors

Both E90s went through the wringer at CMP, and the sponsors that kept them together deserve major credit:

ROWE Motor Oil – Proven performance under the toughest race conditions.
 Motorsport Hardware – Bulletproof wheel studs & spacers.
 HRE Wheels – Strong, lightweight, and ready to take a beating.
Rising Edge - Your weekly dose of resources for racers.

Between tight racing, mid-session repairs, and nonstop paddock hustle, CMP delivered a true test of prep and perseverance. The Condor Speed Shop race team delivered.

We’re proud of how Carlos and Thomas kicked off the season—and even more excited for what’s to come. Stay tuned as GLTC rolls into the next round at Road Atlanta. More to come, and more to prove. 🏁

 

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