Heart of Racing to race second AMR Vantage GTD at remaining IMSA sprint rounds
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Great news out of North America today as the Heart of Racing team announce a second Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTD effort in the remaining IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship for drivers Alex Riberas and Ian James.
Having started the 2020 season with the team at the opening round of the IMSA season at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Riberas soon found himself literally isolated in New Zealand as the COVID pandemic spread across the world and utilising that opportunity, he and Darren Kelly established the HoRT effort that went onto secure both the New Zealand’s North and South Islands Endurance Series over this year and last.
This news see’s Riberas return to the USA to partner Ian James who stepped aside from their #23 IMSA effort to allow Ross Gunn to partner Roman de Angelis on a permanent basis as the team hunt down the overall GTD Championship crown. As the Championship looks to the next round at Laguna Seca next month, the #23 car maintains the Championship lead.
This news also confirms that the team will now not be defending their South Island Championship (that was due to start next week but has now been again delayed because of COVID) as anyone flying into and out of the country is simply still not possible due to their COVID border protocols.
“Establishing the New Zealand program was an amazing experience,” says Riberas. “Now it is time for me to continue my adventure with the team it all started with.”
Photo credits – HoRT / IMSA / F Lagunas / CSJ Motorsport
