Aston Martin eyes win at ‘Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona’

Aston Martin said that the British automotive brand is looking to win the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona — the first race of the IMSA SportsCar Championship.

Per the Gaydon-based brand, three Aston Martin teams (Magnus Racing, Heart of Racing, and Team TGM) will field four Vantage GT3s.

Two cars will come from the Seattle-based partner team and reigning IMSA GTD class champion, Heart of Racing. One of the team’s entries will be driven by AMR works driver and 2022 class race-winners Ross Gunn and Alex Riberas, alongside Aston Martin regular David Pittard. Aboard the other will be IMSA GTD champion Roman De Angelis and reigning FIA World Endurance GT champion and 24 Hours of Le Mans LM GTE Am class winner Marco Sørensen. Le Mans class-winner Darren Turner and Heart of Racing team principal Ian James will also work on the second car.

As for Magnus Racing, the team’s entry will carry a roster of experienced drivers in the form of Team Principal John Potter, Team Magnus regulars Andy Lally and Spencer Pumpelly, plus AMR works star and 2016 FIA WEC GT world champion Nicki Thiim.

Meanwhile, new Aston Martin partner Team TGM will rely on TGM team owner Ted Giovanis, Hugh and Matt Plumb, and Owen Trinkler to drive their race entry to victory.

“The fact that there are no less than 12 Vantages racing across the Rolex 24 weekend is a strong reflection of the continuing growth and success of the American GT racing program. Vantage was a champion in GT3 and GT4 last season and we intend to provide our partners with a car that is every bit as competitive in 2023. If you look at the strength of our works driver support, and the significant engineering support and know-how we provide to all our teams in America, it’s clear how much we value the region as an extremely important market that produces some of the most exciting racing on the planet. Let’s hope this weekend’s Rolex 24 lives up to that standard,” said AMR Head of Partner Racing Huw Tasker.

The 61st Rolex 24 at Daytona is scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2023.

Photos from Aston Martin

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