Four Aston Martin Vantage GT3 cars aim to dominate 2022 Rolex 24 Hours

MANILA: Aston Martin heads into this weekend’s 2022 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona with the auto marque's three partner teams.

The US endurance race will see four competitive Vantage GT3 cars — "the most" the sport has ever seen, Aston Martin said — spread across the GTD division. 

Heart of Racing, Aston Martin's Seattle-based partner team, returns in this year's season in two GT3-specification Vantage cars that use a turbocharged four-liter V8. The team will compete in the GTD Pro class. 

Alongside this team, Magnus Racing will also race in the regular GTD Pro Class in a similar Vantage GT3. NorthWest AMR returns after a season’s sabbatical from the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. 

Previously, Heart of Racing won the championship at the IMSA Sprint Cup GT. Magnus Racing is a new team partner of Aston Martin Racing (AMR)

Alongside this team, Magnus Racing will also race in the regular GTD Pro Class in a similar Vantage GT3. NorthWest AMR returns after a season’s sabbatical from Daytona.

Each team will be represented by AMR's own drivers and a graduate of the AMR Academy. 

Ross Gunn, Alex Riberas, and 2020 Le Mans GTE Pro winner Maxime Martin will drive for Heart of Racing. The trio will be joined by Le Mans class-winner Darren Turner, team’s principal Ian James, newly-crowned AMR Academy winner Roman De Angelis, and Tom Gamble. 

NorthWest AMR will have 2019-20 FIA GT world champion Nicki Thiim, AMR works drivers David Pittard and Charlie Eastwood in its lineup.

Finally, the Magnus Racing GTD entry will be manned by team regulars John Potter, Andy Lally and Spencer Pumpelly, as well as two-time Le Mans class-winner Jonny Adam, who returns for his first Daytona start since 2014.

“This is Aston Martin’s strongest representation ever for the Rolex 24 (at Daytona)," AMR Managing Director John Gaw said. 

"(And) coming off the back of a season with multiple class wins in the IMSA (International Motor Sports Association of North America) WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, it is a clear signal of intent ahead of an exciting season for Aston Martin Racing and the Vantage, in all its variants,” Gaw concluded. 

Photos from Aston Martin

Also read: No small victory for Aston Martin team in Petit Le Mans