Incidents and accidents again prove pivotable for the AMR powered runners in Michelin Pilot Challenge
On Friday, the #26 Heart of Racing AMR Vantage GT4 of Hannah Greenemeir had snatched the crew and teams second consecutive pole position of the year after Hannah Grisham had done likewise Watkins Glen two weeks earlier.
Within that secondary incident, the #66 Car Blanche AMR of Allen Patten found himself making inadvertent contact with another car – all of whom were avoiding the #26 car on track only to spin the championship leading McLaren around, but the #66 car managed to maintain its P5 position within the order.
Despite their earlier issues on track, the Hannah’s had made progressive moves through the GS class order for Grisham to be running as high as eighth during the earlier parts of her stint, but an untimely black and orange flag for rearward parts of the car hanging off dropped them back down again. Like Watkins Glen, the ladies earlier pace in qualifying was rewarded with a lower placed finish at the end – this time way down in P15.
Photo credits – Teams / social media
Sunday, July 12, 2026 |
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Heart of Racing steps up to the Michelin Pilot Challenge Series for 2026
More known within the GT4 America Series sees the teams #26 AMR Vantage GT4 of both Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier move up to the GS class of the IMSA sanctioned support series for the first time after spending the last three seasons (two seasons together) learning their craft.
This news is very timely seeing the departure from the AMR family of the Team TGM outfit after their winter move to the Ford Mustang package despite recouping their Bronze Cup Championship win for their #64 crew.
Today’s news from the Heart of Racing team sees the two Hannah’s joined by former ADAC GT4 Germany Champion Mike David Ortamann for those two longer four-hour races having impressed so much in his debut American season last year with the JMF Motorsport team.
“I’m incredibly grateful to The Heart of Racing for this opportunity,” said Grisham. “Racing a full season in the 2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge is a dream. I’m excited to kick off the season at Daytona and take on some iconic tracks that are new for me, like Watkins Glen and Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. I’m really looking forward to continuing to share the car with Hannah Greenemeier. The longer race format is a bit different than what we are used to, but I think it will play to our strengths. I can’t wait for what’s ahead!”
“I’m incredibly grateful to The Heart of Racing for this opportunity,” said Grisham. “Racing a full season in the 2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge is a dream. I’m excited to kick off the season at Daytona and take on some iconic tracks that are new for me, like Watkins Glen and Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. I’m really looking forward to continuing to share the car with Hannah Greenemeier. The longer race format is a bit different than what we are used to, but I think it will play to our strengths. I can’t wait for what’s ahead!”
“I’m beyond excited to be back with The Heart of Racing for another season, and to be competing in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, I’ve watched the series for many years, and it has a lot of talent in it. Being in the IMSA paddock is truly a privilege. It’s great to be back with Hannah for another year, and to have Mike Ortmann with us in Daytona is something I’m incredibly excited for. I’m ready for our first race in Daytona in January; it’s a track I have never driven on, but I know that we will get up to speed quickly. I want to say a massive thank you to The Heart of Racing for this opportunity, Gabe Newell and Yahn Bernier. Let’s go racing!” added Greenemeier.
The Michelin Pilot Challenge season kicks off at Daytona in January.
Photo credits – Team / Series / social media
Thursday, December 11, 2025 |
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Class podiums the spoils of class efforts for the AMR entries in GT4 America opener from Sonoma
Within that midst were this time five Aston Martin Racing Vantage GT4 powered crews – two from the new to AMR JMF Motorsport team and a returning entry apiece from the Heart of Racing, Skip Barber Racing and Archangel Motorsport teams.
Testing at the circuit prior to the race weekend had fortunately included some very wet weather testing and that knowledge and understanding would prove important over the two, hour long races as race one would be under clear blue skies and sunshine (although chilly) with race two in what was left of another overnight deluge.
With the grid set for race one earlier on Saturday, it was the #3 and #4 JMF Astons of Jesse Webb and Braydon Arthur who stole the march upon the more experienced AMR crews as they both started from the third row as the starting line was delayed due to a stranded car upon the grid. Inevitably with so many cars circulating around sometimes a very tight track profile, there was contact in the early stages between three cars that brought out the Safety Car for the first time.
With the grid set for race one earlier on Saturday, it was the #3 and #4 JMF Astons of Jesse Webb and Braydon Arthur who stole the march upon the more experienced AMR crews as they both started from the third row as the starting line was delayed due to a stranded car upon the grid. Inevitably with so many cars circulating around sometimes a very tight track profile, there was contact in the early stages between three cars that brought out the Safety Car for the first time.
Getting back to green however, unseen contact for the #4 JMF car saw Webb stranded trackside as five to six other cars met with a crashing end to their race through the tight turn one to two sequence – another Safety Car.
That clean-up operation took until the halfway stage, so Race Control elected to allow all cars to pit under caution before getting back to green again with twenty minutes remaining. By then Hannah Grisham was up to P3 in Silver after a steady, accident avoiding stint from Hannah Greenemeier within their #26 Silver entry whilst Michael Garcia was up to second in Am within his #007 Am entered Skip Barber Racing car.
All was looking good for the #007 car until just two minutes from the end when technical issues within the red Aston Martin surrendered a certain class podium in Am but at least the #4 JMF Motorsport Aston Martin of Arthur and Mike David Ortmann hung on for a P3 finish in silver with the #26 HoRT crew just behind. The #15 Archangel AMR of Adrian Comstock and Thomas Merril finished their first race together P9 in Pro-Am.
Sundays second race was a wholly different affair as the track was still being doused by heavy rainfall that had been over the circuit all night. Again, Qualifying had already been determined earlier on Saturday but again, it was the two JMF AMR’s leading the way on the grid in P4 and P5.
This time a single file start because of the track conditions with an early spinner into turn 2 narrowly avoided by both JMF cars as the pack roared through with spray making for track navigation almost guesswork for the drivers.
Despite the conditions, the race stayed green as Grisham found herself fighting for track position with the #007 of Alex Garcia and the #15 Archangel car finally getting inside the top ten with Comstock aboard.
Just before the pit window, a BMW was forced into the concrete wall and with that stopping on the track infield a Safety Car intervention was inevitable. Judging that rightly or wrongly, the #26 Heart of Racing car was already in pit lane as the Safety Car came out and the pits were closed – missing what precisely happened next, the car was either forced to stop at pit out for the Safety Car train to pass or their stop was a particularly long one as once all the other cars had pitted, the #26 was waved around to the complete rear of the pack!
After that, track conditions began to improve as the spray volume reduced and a distinct change in colour appeared on the preferred line on track with now Greenemeir on something of a charge from the rear of the pack for the twenty odd minutes that she had left. The #007 Skip Barber car of Garcia was a distant second to its Am class leader, but that car had already received a thirty second post-race penalty for cutting a corner earlier in the race in accident avoidance and the margin to one another was there or there abouts!
With just minutes to run, the #15 Archangel AMR disappeared from the timing screen (due to issues unknown) and an Mclaren off into the tyre wall and a puncture for another would all help the #26 and #007 in their final efforts.
Eventually the chequered flag dropped, and it was the turn of the #3 JMF team to take to the podium with their P3 silver result, the #4 car just behind in P5 and with the #26 HoRT car up to P12 overall/P7 in class for their efforts. The query still resides around the finishing position of the #007 SBR car as on track, they were listed as still finishing two seconds behind the leader after their post-race penalty time deduction but social media posts from the series later said that the #007 had claimed the Am class win??
Next stop anyway for these guys will be from the Circuit of the Americas in a months’ time.
Photo credits – Teams / Series / social media
Monday, March 31, 2025 |
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SRO USA news from the Heart of Racing camp today
Today’s news saw reiterated the position of Gray Newell moving up to the GT3 class with the SRO America GT World Challenge America Series with one of their Aston Martin Racing Vantage GT3 Evo with a full season driving partnership alongside AMR Factory driver Darren Turner.
Starting as a racing novice within both the GT America and GT4 America Series with an AMR Vantage GT4 back in early 2021, Newell embarked upon his new career under the guiding hand of Team Manager Ian James before more that mantel was more recently handed over to fellow team racer Roman De Angelis, mainly thanks to the diary clashes with the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Having raced GT3’s on and off within other series including last weekend’s 24H Series annual pilgrimage to the Dubai 24, this season will be Newell’s first full season within GT3 and Turner’s first experience of the SRO America series and many of the circuits scheduled for this year’s seven event, thirteen race calendar.
On top of that news, the team also confirmed the return of their amazing all female driver line up within the GT4 America Series as both Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier join forces again in what maybe this time, one of the teams new AMR Vantage GT4 Evo that Newell and De Angelis debuted towards the end of last season.
Undoubtedly talented, the two Hannah’s championship ambitions were somewhat blighted with continual class changes having started within the Am class before being moved into Pro-Am before finishing the bulk of last season within the more competitive silver class. Hopefully that issue will be determined before the cars hit the track of Sonoma for the first time in late March.
Photo credits – Team / Series / social media / D Gibson
Monday, January 13, 2025 |
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Heart of Racing round off another SRO America season at Indy
After a deflating pair of opening races, the Heart of Racing Team rebounded on Sunday to finish second overall and in class in Pirelli GT4 America PRO-AM and fifth in Pirelli GT4 America’s Silver class at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the season ending event weekend for SRO. Newell scored a second place finish in GT America powered by AWS Sunday morning.
Roman De Angelis and Gray Newell teamed up in the No. 24 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 to finish second in the Pirelli GT4 America PRO-AM championship after a tough Saturday race where the duo had an unfortunate flat tire as well as a penalty to finish 25th overall.
On Sunday, the De Angelis / Newell duo started from 26th overall and worked their way to finish second earning the Super Fuel Hard Charger Award for the 60 minute race. Newell was first behind the wheel gaining several positions before De Angelis took over just before the halfway mark. De Angelis drove through the remainder of the field to take the duo’s sixth podium finish.
“Today (Sunday) was a bit of a turnaround from Saturday,” said De Angelis. “We had a great result today with second in PRO-AM and overall. It was a really good day for the team. I think being second in the championship is always a good thing. Of course we wanted to win, but the No. 7 car was great all year, so we did what we could. Gray (Newell) did great all season developing as a driver and I look forward to what is in store for the program next year.”
Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier finished their season with a fifth place finish in the Pirelli GT4 America Silver category. After starting the season in the AM class, before being moved to PRO-AM for a single event weekend, the female pair finished the season in the Silver class with two podium finishes.
Unfortunately on Saturday, Greenemeier had encountered a flat tire on the formation lap. This put the No. 26 Aston Martin Vantage at the back of the field, but both drivers did their best to drive through the field, and ultimately finished 22nd overall and sixth in class.
“Another great weekend with the Heart of Racing,” said Greenemeier. “Maybe not the results that we wanted, but I think Hannah and I showed great pace this weekend. I know that we had the best team behind us, and I just can't thank the Heart of Racing enough for this whole season for all their hard work and the late nights. We are very appreciative and proud to be a part of the team.”
On Sunday, Grisham started from seventh in the Silver category making it through a four lap caution. Grisham handed the Aston Martin Vantage to Greenemeier who crossed the finish line fifth in class.
“Overall, I think it was a good way to end the season,” said Grisham. “We had issues in race one that were out of our control that put us a lap down, so we weren't really in the fight on Saturday. I think today we're good. We kept the car clean and ended up fifth in class. You always want a better result, but I think in the grand scheme of things, it's been a pretty good year. I think Hannah and I have meshed really well and I’m super grateful to be her teammate and really grateful for the Heart of Racing for this opportunity to compete at this level.”
Newell bounced back from a tough first GT America powered by AWS race to finish second in the final race of the season. The driver of the No. 25 Heart of Racing Aston Martin qualified third on Friday morning before the first race Friday afternoon.
The first GT America powered by AWS race of the season finale weekend saw a great start from Newell as he maintained third for a majority of the race. Unfortunately the No. 25 Heart of Racing entry was penalized following the race for incident responsibility being classified with a sixth place finish.
The first GT America powered by AWS race of the season finale weekend saw a great start from Newell as he maintained third for a majority of the race. Unfortunately the No. 25 Heart of Racing entry was penalized following the race for incident responsibility being classified with a sixth place finish.
Sunday’s GT America powered by AWS had Newell starting from second, where he was able to maintain position throughout the 40-minute caution free race.
Source material - Heart of Racing
Monday, October 07, 2024 |
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Penultimate rounds of the SRO America series from Barber with a new AMR finally on offer
Having lost the sole AMR Vantage GT3 runner within the GT World Challenge Series last time out with a late season chassis change for Elias Sabo and Andy Lee from the Flying Lizard AMR team, all eyes will be upon the two other series and with a new car making its debut within one of the SRO America series.
That news comes in the form of the Heart of Racing team swapping over to a new 2024 AMR Vantage GT4 Evo for their #24 Pro-Am pairing of Gary Newell and Roman De Angelis within the GT4 America Series for the first time. With them (and all other AMR Vantage GT4 runners this season for that matter) continuing to run the still completely successful and competitive 2019 17A variant of the car, it will be interesting to see just how that performances transposes between chassis after the pairing secured both a P3 and P1 class finish at the end of the last round from Road America.
The new Vantage GT4 has of course ran a full season so far within the IMSA sanctioned Michelin Pilot Challenge and VP Racing Sportscar Challenge Series with the Rebel Rock Racing team but Aston Martin Racing was keen to (at first) restrict the availability of the new car in North America until such time as suitable spares and technical assistance was also on offer for their customers.
Within the GT4 America Series, the #26 Heart of Racing AMR Vantage GT4 entry for Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier continue to pedal their 17A version within the silver class as so the Todd Parriott/Tom Dyer Flying Lizard Pro-Am pairing within their #13 car.
Championship wise, the #24 Newell/De Angelis pairing maintain a P2 championship position but would require a significant low/no scoring trait from the championship leaders over the remaining races to have any chance – something that appears unlikely at present having never finish off the class podium so far this season.
Within the GT3/GT2/GT4 based GT America Series, the GT3 class is again supported by the #2 Flying Lizard AMR Vantage GT3 of Jason Bell and the older 16A Prosport Competition AMR Vantage GT3 of Tim Savage aboard his #007 car. Joining them will be the #25 Heart of Racing Vantage GT4 of Newell as well as the #31 Flying Lizard AMR Vantage GT4 of Parriott (both 17A variants).
Championship wise for these guys is that none of them are in any class championship challenging position but Newell does have the potential of securing the GT4 runners up position as well as Parriott moving up to P4 should results from the last two rounds go their way.
As usual, the bronze rated only GT America Series will run two forty-minute solo driver races over the course of the weekend with the GT4 America Series running two one hour, pit stop punctuated races.
Photo credits – Team / Series / social media
Tuesday, September 03, 2024 |
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A tough ride for the Heart of Racing team in the heat of Texas
Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier competed in their first weekend in the PRO-AM category after finishing the first two race weekends in the AM category. Grisham qualified for the duo securing a sixth row starting position on Saturday morning.
Greenemeier was first up behind the wheel making her way from eighth to fourth during the first stint of the race. During the team’s first pit stop the No. 26 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 encountered an issue with the air jack system, forcing Grisham two laps down in ninth. Grisham drove up to sixth in just 40-minutes before pitting for a full stop. Unfortunately the issue with the air jack system forced an early end to “The Hannahs” race.
“The race didn't go as we all hoped,” said Grisham. “It was kind of a tough day for both cars. But I think we have a lot to be proud of overall. The crew put in really hard work and there was nothing anyone could have done to prevent the incidents that happened. I think Hannah and myself showed strong pace this weekend. We have a lot to look forward to and will continue to grow and learn and try to fight for podiums and hopefully wins and the PRO AM class. A big thank you to everyone on the team for all the extra work this weekend.”
“Ultimately this was not the weekend that either car really hoped for,” said Greenemeier. “But there are still lots of positives to take away from the weekend - all the hard work by the team, Hannah and I’s pace even though we're in the PRO AM class now. I think we showed great, great pace and I mean sometimes you can't control stuff in racing and that's what makes it racing. So we'll move on to VIR and hopefully we get back on track. Thanks to everybody on the team for all their hard work this whole week, and staying out in the hot weather and being troopers for all of it.”
Gray Newell and Roman De Angelis were teamed up in the No. 24 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 for the Pirelli GT4 America endurance race as De Angelis qualified sixth during Saturday morning’s qualifying session.
Newell took the first stint for the pair bringing the Aston Martin Vantage to pit lane just before the one-hour mark handing the wheel to De Angelis in sixth. De Angelis was quick to make his way up to the front of the pack, leading when he made the second pit stop.
Newell was back behind the wheel just before the first caution came out. After the field went back to green Newell was struck by a competitor while leading the PRO-AM category, the contact caused a flat tire as well as light suspension damage. Newell was forced to pit lane to change the left side tires. De Angelis finished the race for the duo securing a fifth place finish for the double points race.
“We ended with fifth, which is good after the day we had,” said De Angelis. “We were in the lead at one point on a great strategy call when we got taken out by somebody. The car had some damage so I was just trying to gather some points and got enough points to finish fifth. We would have been better but that's life and we'll move on to VIR. But thank you to the guys at the Heart of Racing Team for sticking through, it's kind of frustrating to drive around 20 seconds off pace for an hour, but you never know when you need those points.”
Newell pulled double duty this weekend, also competing in GT America powered by AWS. The Washington-state native drove a 2:15.749-second lap to earn a front row starting position for Saturday’s afternoon race.
After starting from second, Newell spent the 40-minute race battling for second after being pushed back to third early on in the race. Newell ultimately crossed the finish line in third just 0.591-seconds behind second place.
Sunday morning saw the second GT America powered by AWS race where Newell started from third. The 40-minute race was filled with caution periods, eliminating a lot of run time and preventing Newell from making a charge to the front, although he was able to claim a podium finish - his seventh of the season.
Source material - HoRT
Monday, May 20, 2024 |
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More podium success in latest SRO America rounds for Heart of Racing at Sebring
Hannah Greenemeier was the first to qualify, taking third in the Pirelli GT4 America AM category, which also marked her first official qualifying SRO outing after qualifying was canceled at the Sonoma Raceway event weekend.
During the Saturday afternoon Pirelli GT4 America race, Greenemeier was quick to move up to second before a full course caution came out five minutes into the 60 minute race. Greenemeier retained her second place position when the field saw the green flag again. The young driver from Colorado handed the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 to her co-driver Hannah Grisham, who crossed the finish line in fifth.
“Overall it was a good weekend,” said Greenemeier. “We definitely did not have as much pace as we would have liked, but in the end it was a good points weekend. So now we'll just move on to COTA in a couple of weeks and just try and keep up the good point races each weekend and see where we end up in the championship.”
Grisham was second to qualify on Saturday for Sunday’s afternoon race but after being unable to get a clear flying lap, Grisham qualified eighth in the AM category.
Grisham was first behind the wheel of the No. 26 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 for the second race of the weekend on Sunday. Grisham was quick to start charging forward from eighth. The California driver handed the Aston Martin off to Greenemeier in fifth place with a little under 30 minutes to go. The duo made up two spots on the pit stop landing Greenemeier in third for the remainder of the race.
Grisham was second to qualify on Saturday for Sunday’s afternoon race but after being unable to get a clear flying lap, Grisham qualified eighth in the AM category.
Grisham was first behind the wheel of the No. 26 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 for the second race of the weekend on Sunday. Grisham was quick to start charging forward from eighth. The California driver handed the Aston Martin off to Greenemeier in fifth place with a little under 30 minutes to go. The duo made up two spots on the pit stop landing Greenemeier in third for the remainder of the race.
“Today was really strong, we started pretty far in the back but were able to make our way towards the front of the pack,” said Grisham. “We ended up with the Hard Charger Award and made it up to P3. So we're really happy about that. A huge thank you to the Heart of Racing Team and Hannah. Next is to continue the momentum into COTA and hopefully to the championship.”
“The Hannahs” earned the Super Fuel Hard Charger Award for the race after making up twelve positions on the entire field.
Gray Newell qualified first for the No. 24 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 entry, setting the eighth fastest lap in the Pirelli GT4 America PRO AM category.
After a review of the start on Saturday’s afternoon race, Newell was forced to a drive through penalty after being judged to have jumped the start forcing the Aston Martin to rejoin the field in ninth. Roman De Angelis was next up behind the wheel with 30 minutes remaining. During the pit stop, the No. 24 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 was penalized for a pit stop time infringement, as a result 1.13 seconds was added on to the Aston Martin’s finishing time. Just after the 30 minute mark, De Angelis was forced to a second drive through penalty because the first drive through penalty was served as a caution came out and therefore it didn’t count. De Angelis crossed the finish line in sixth.
De Angelis qualified second for the Newell / De Angelis pair, scoring a starting position of second for Sunday’s afternoon race. De Angelis was able to maintain his starting position through his stint of 30 minutes before handing the Aston Martin off to Newell, who was able to keep the position through the remainder of the race scoring the duo’s second podium of the season.
“Really happy to leave Sebring with a podium finish in race two,” said De Angelis. “The team and Gray both did a great job executing, definitely outperforming with the cards we were dealt this weekend. Race one was quite unfortunate with two drive through penalties, but we’re still in the championship fight, so I'm looking forward to getting some points back in COTA!”
On Saturday morning, Newell qualified third for Saturday’s afternoon GT America powered by AWS race. Newell was able to maintain position when a quick caution came out just four minutes into the 40 minute race. Just five minutes later the track went back to green flag racing where Newell remained in third place until he took the checkered flag.
Race two for GT America powered by AWS took place Sunday morning with Newell starting from third, a position decided by his fastest lap from Saturday’s race. The 40 minute race stayed green for its entirety, Newell crossed the finish line third. Newell was able to maintain his championship points standings at second with his two third place finishes on the weekend.
The Heart of Racing team will be back in action next weekend with IMSA at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and WEC at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps before heading to Circuit of the Americas May 17-19 for the next round of Pirelli GT4 America and GT America powered by AWS.
Source material/Photo credits - HoRT
Monday, May 06, 2024 |
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Heart of Racing hit the SRO podium in both GT America and GT4 America season openers
The No. 26 Heart of Racing team had Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier team up for the first time as the duo combined for a victory in the Pirelli GT4 America AM category during Saturday’s first race. Greenemeier started from second where she maintained position before handing the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 to Grisham who made a late race pass for the lead in turn nine.
“Overall, a really good weekend to start off the season,” said Grisham. “We came home with a win and a third place finish today, ultimately really strong points for us to go after the championship. I think the weekend went almost as good as it could have gone. Thank you to everyone on the Heart of Racing Team for the opportunity to be back again and I've really enjoyed being paired up with Hannah (Greenemeier). She's done a really amazing job and has gotten acquainted with this car very quickly. We’ll just try to carry that momentum into Sebring.”
Grisham started Sunday morning’s race from fourth in class making her way to sit third before Greenemeier took the wheel. Greenemeier was battling for second when a caution slowed the field for the remaining seven minutes of the race.
“It was a great end to the weekend, with the third place finish,” said Greenemeier. “I just wish that caution had not come out at the end of the second race. I think we could have made our way to second, maybe even first. Hannah (Grisham) did a great job keeping up at the beginning and allowing me to be able to push as hard as I could for the last bit of the race. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the championship. Two podiums this weekend is the right way to kick it off.”
Roman De Angelis and Gray Newell teamed up in the No. 24 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 in the Pirelli GT4 America ProAm category, scoring a second place and fourth place finish during the opening weekend.
Newell was first in the No. 24 Aston Martin Vantage on Saturday afternoon where he started from third in class. Newell passed the car to De Angelis in third. The Canadian driver laid down steady laps to make a battle for the lead, but unfortunately came up just short at the finish line.
De Angelis started Sunday morning’s race from fifth in class, he was able to make his way up to third when he passed the Aston Martin Vantage to Newell. He was able to continue to battle for podium position all the way up to the checkered flag.
“It was a good start to our GT4 campaign this year with Gray,” said De Angelis. “ The Heart of Racing did a great job all weekend. A second and a fourth, I think, is a really good way to start our season. The car is relatively unscathed, which is important as well. We are just trying to collect points and see if we can be there at the end of the championship. So great job to the team. Our sister card did a great job as well, two podiums, and looking forward to the next race.”
In addition to his Pirelli GT4 America driving duties, Newell also competed in GT America powered by AWS where he scored a second and third place finish to start the championship season.
Newell started second for the first GT America powered by AWS race Saturday afternoon. The Washington-state native was able to maintain his position over the 40 minute race to cross the finish line in second.
Newell had the third fastest lap time in race one securing a second row starting position for Sunday morning’s race. The No. 25 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 initially fell back to fourth at the start of the race, but Newell was able to pass for his third place position shortly after to secure his finishing position.
Source material - Heart of Racing
Monday, April 08, 2024 |
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Two Heart of Racing GT4 crews set for GT and GT4 America
Greenemeier joins the Heart of Racing after climbing through the karting ranks since the age of five. The Colorado native was the first female to win the X-30 ProTour Championship class in the history of SKUSA in 2021 as she looks forward to making her sports car debut this season in Pirelli GT4 America.
“Getting a call from the team to join the Heart of Racing for the 2024 season was probably the best day of my life so far,” said Greenemeier. “To be able to drive for a team that has had so much success means so much to me and my family. I’m looking forward to getting the season started with the team in April at Sonoma. I know that I have a lot to learn about sports car racing, but I know that with the help of my co-driver, Hannah Grisham, and everyone else on the team that I will get up to speed quickly. I can’t thank Gabe, the Bernier family, Ian, Paul and everyone on the team for this incredible opportunity.”
Grisham, who was selected from the team’s 2022 all-female shootout, returns to the Heart of Racing team for her second year after completing her first Pirelli GT4 America season in 2023.
“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to continue with the Heart of Racing for a second year in GT4 America,” said Grisham. “I am looking forward to this season with a year under my belt and a more solid foundation to stand on. Year number one has taken me to most of the tracks, helped me to understand my competition, and have a better grasp of our Aston Martin Vantage. My goal for this year is to have strong, consistent finishes and hopefully be in a spot towards the end of the year to fight for the championship. I think Hannah Greenemeier and I are capable of this and I’m eager to get to work with her in April at Sonoma.”
The all-female lineup completed their first test as teammates last week at APEX Motor Club.
Competing alongside in Pirelli GT4 America will be De Angelis, who is a regular in the team’s No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
De Angelis rejoins Newell in the Aston Martin Vantage, the duo having scored three wins (NOLA, Road America, Indianapolis Motor Speedway) in the Pro/Am category during the 2023 season, closing out the year with a run to third place in the season finale.
“I’m super happy to be back again with Gray competing in the GT4 Pro/Am class with the Heart of Racing,” said De Angelis. “I really enjoyed my time there last year and being teamed up again with Gray who continues to get faster every weekend leaves us with another good shot at race wins and hopefully a Pro/Am championship.”
Newell will begin his fourth season in GT America powered by AWS along with his Pirelli GT4 America duties. Last season Newell scored two pole awards (VIRginia International Raceway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway) in GT America powered by AWS. The young driver finished the season with five runs to the podium.
The SRO America season will kick off the weekend of April 5-7th at Sonoma Raceway with both Pirelli GT4 America and GT America powered by AWS in action.
Source material - HoRT
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 |
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