The Heart of Racing Takes Two Top Five Finishes At Sebring

Sebring, Fla. (16 March 2024) – The Heart of Racing Team left Sebring International Raceway with two top five finishes following the 72nd running of the Twelve Hours of Sebring. The No. 23 Heart of Racing Aston Martin GTD PRO entry scored a fifth place result and the No. 27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin GTD entry landed a fourth place finish.

The stacked lineup of the No. 23 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 GTD PRO entry included Ross Gunn, Alex Riberas, and Mario Farnbacher. During Friday’s sunny and hot afternoon qualifying session, Farnbacher qualified the No. 23 Heart of Racing entry second in class.

Farnbacher was first behind the wheel for Saturday’s 9:40am start, completing the first two stints while maintaining a top three position before handing the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 to Riberas. Gunn was next in the driver’s seat as the team raced in podium position at the halfway mark.

The second half of the twelve hour enduro saw seven caution periods and the Farnbacher, Riberas, Gunn trio each took another turn in the Aston Martin Vantage GT3. The trio was able to stay in the top five for a majority of the second half until a late race drive through penalty forced the team to the back of the GTD PRO field. Undeterred, Gunn was able to push forward in the last hour of the enduro, to cross the finish line in fifth.

The No. 27 Heart of Racing GTD entry featured Ian James, Roman De Angelis, and Zacharie Robichon.

James started from the ninth row after qualifying for the team on Friday afternoon. James completed his three stints in the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in the first four hours of the twelve hour enduro, setting the stage for De Angelis and Robichon to finish the remainder of the race. De Angelis was in the fourth place position as the halfway mark ticked away.

Taking turns each stint, De Angelis and Robichon battled through the remaining caution filled six hours that featured a typically warm afternoon. The duo was able to maintain their fourth place position as De Angelis took the checkered flag in fourth.

The Heart of Racing IMSA program will be back in action on the streets of Long Beach, April 19-21st. Gray Newell will also be competing during the Long Beach weekend in SRO America’s GT America powered by AWS. April 19-21st will also mark the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship at Imola in Italy.