Heart of Racing

Heart of Racing. The team is a professional sports car racing organization founded by Gabe Newell and managed by driver Ian James. It competes primarily with Aston Martin machinery in major series including the IMSA SportsCar Championship and the GT World Challenge America. The team's name and mission are intrinsically linked to raising funds for the Seattle Children's Hospital, with all race winnings donated to the charity.

History

The team was established in 2014 through the initiative of Valve Corporation co-founder Gabe Newell, who is an avid racing enthusiast and philanthropist. Its competition debut came in the Pirelli World Challenge, fielding an Aston Martin Vantage GT4 for team principal Ian James. The operation initially served as a platform for charity fundraising, with its early seasons building experience in North American GT4-spec racing. A significant expansion occurred in 2020 when the team entered the GT Daytona class of the IMSA SportsCar Championship, marking its step up to top-level sports car competition in events like the Rolex 24 at Daytona. This period also saw the formation of a strategic technical partnership with Aston Martin Racing and the professional Prodrive organization, which provided crucial factory support for its GTE and GT3 programs.

Racing operations

The team fields entries in multiple premier endurance racing championships across the globe. In the IMSA SportsCar Championship, it runs the No. 23 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in the GTD Pro category and the No. 27 car in the GTD class, contesting the full Michelin Endurance Cup schedule including the 12 Hours of Sebring. For the GT World Challenge America, it operates a two-car effort, often based out of its headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2023, the squad expanded into the FIA World Endurance Championship, entering an Aston Martin Vantage GTE in the LMGTE Am category for the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its technical operations are supported by longtime partners Aston Martin Racing and Prodrive, with strategic management handled by Ian James who also serves as a competing driver.

Notable drivers

The driver lineup features a mix of established professionals and rising talents, many with direct factory backing from Aston Martin. British driver Ross Gunn has been a cornerstone of the IMSA SportsCar Championship effort, contributing significant victories and championship success. Spanish racer Alex Riberas has been a consistent co-driver with Gunn, forming a potent partnership in the GTD Pro class. German veteran Mario Farnbacher has provided extensive experience, particularly in endurance events like the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Canadian Roman De Angelis emerged through the team's development program, securing the IMSA GTD championship and establishing himself as a top prospect. Other notable competitors who have driven for the team include Darren Turner, Tom Gamble, and David Pittard.

Race results and championships

The team has achieved considerable success since its move to the IMSA SportsCar Championship. A landmark victory came at the 2022 Rolex 24 at Daytona in the GTD class, driven by Ross Gunn, Alex Riberas, Maxime Martin, and Ian James. This was followed by winning the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring in the GTD Pro category in 2023. The squad clinched the IMSA GTD Pro Teams' and Drivers' championships in 2023, with Ross Gunn and Alex Riberas earning the title. In the GT World Challenge America, the team secured the Pro-Am drivers' championship. Its LMGTE Am entry in the FIA World Endurance Championship has also achieved podium finishes, highlighting its competitive reach on the global stage.

Car liveries and sponsorship

The cars are instantly recognizable by a distinctive livery primarily featuring a vibrant shade of British racing green, a color traditionally associated with Aston Martin. This is accented with prominent magenta and white stripes, creating a modern and dynamic visual identity. The team's primary sponsorship and philanthropic partner is the Seattle Children's Hospital, with the hospital's logo displayed prominently on the car's hood and sides. Additional technical and commercial partners include Aston Martin, Hankook Tire, and Tudor Watches. The livery design and sponsorship placements are consistent across its entries in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, GT World Challenge America, and FIA World Endurance Championship, reinforcing a unified brand image dedicated to its charitable mission.

Category:Sports car racing teams Category:Motor racing organizations based in Arizona Category:Aston Martin in motorsport