AMR Vantage GTD now confirmed for IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship in 2020

There can surely be no better Christmas present to the many Aston Martin Racing fans over in the United States today (as well as the rest of the world in fact) to see a new AMR Vantage GTD (GT3) finally get confirmed with the Florida based Heart of Racing Team to run in next years IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship.

First muted in the mainstream motorsport media only few weeks ago, the team has today formally confirmed their new Race Partner status with the Banbury based team in a deal that also provides them on-site technical assistance as well as 'works' drivers for the 2020 season that starts at the Roar before the 24 in less than four weeks time.

This announcement not only sees the return to the IMSA Championship of the team but also Aston Martin Racing as a fully paid up OEM in the US, the first time since the days of the factory supported TRG-AMR over three years ago and the last visit of an AMR to Daytona since 2017.

Racing under The Heart of Racing banner, the team will be lead by former team racer Ian James and Seattle businessmen Gabe Newell and Yahn Bernier under a continuing arrangement of raising much needed funds for the Seattle Children's Hospital - an organisation that has so far raised over $6 million dollars in charitable contributions.


The team is due to make its public debut with the car and 'freshly announced ' driver line up at the opening test sessions of the Roar before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway on the 3rd January 2020.

“The Heart of Racing program has always been an inspiring environment to be in for everyone involved,” said James. “This is in addition to the very compelling fund-raising element. Gabe and Yahn’s support and vision is incredible and I’m delighted they decided to bring the program back to the IMSA paddock full-time. We have a close-knit crew, awesome full-time drivers to announce, and a great manufacturer partner. All the ingredients are in place.”

David King, President of Aston Martin Racing went further to confirm that "the United States obviously represents a huge market for Aston Martin Racing and as such it is fantastic to see Heart of Racing return to IMSA with one of our Vantage GT3s. The success of the new Vantage in its first year of customer racing means that we will see more exciting programs extend our reach further around the world next year, and we very much expect Heart of Racing to be a key pillar in our overall US motorsport strategy in 2020."