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Aston Martin Vantage Triumphs In North America With Watkins Glen Victory
Aston Martin's new Vantage GT3 secured its first victory in the United States during the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Watkins Glen. Partner team The Heart of Racing (THoR) achieved this win in the GTD Pro class, with drivers Ross Gunn and Alex Riberas overcoming challenging weather conditions to claim the top spot.
The race, known as the Six Hours of the Glen, was marked by rainstorms and a red flag period due to standing water on the track. THoR initially lost a lap when they were caught on the wrong tyres as weather conditions changed rapidly. However, their strategic acumen and Riberas' skilled driving brought them back into contention.
When racing resumed after the red flag, Gunn found himself in second place behind a leading Corvette. With just 16 minutes left, he pressured his rival, who eventually had to pit for fuel on the last lap. This allowed Gunn to take the lead and secure the win for THoR.
"This was a fantastic day for The Heart of Racing team and a great day for Vantage," said team principal Ian James. "We’ve been working hard to bring this kind of result to the table all season and coming off the back of the podium Ross and Alex recorded at the previous race in Detroit, we’re beginning to build some momentum into the season. We were in contention in the 24 Hours of Le Mans until misfortune struck and so it’s great to be able to bounce back with a victory, our first of the season, at the very next race. I want to thank all the team for the fantastic job, we executed well and held steady in tough conditions."
The new Vantage GT3 has also seen success globally. In Japan, D'station Racing won in the SUPER GT GT300 category at Suzuka. In Europe, Blackthorn Racing claimed a win in the Road to Le Mans race at La Sarthe. Additionally, Walkenhorst Motorsport secured a victory in Germany's ADAC Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie.
Gunn celebrated his eighth class victory in America’s prestigious endurance championship. He noted that "this new Vantage GT3 is good in all conditions and it felt particularly strong here at Watkins Glen." He added that they are only beginning to tap into its full potential.
Magnus Racing also achieved a podium finish with drivers John Potter, Andy Lally, and Spencer Pumpelly taking third place in the GTD class. This was only their third race with the new car, highlighting its competitive edge.
Continued Momentum
Adam Carter, Head of Endurance Motorsport, remarked on June's successes: "June has proved to be a red-letter month for the new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 with wins in Japan, Europe and now the USA. It’s fitting that our partner The Heart of Racing, which took Aston Martin to its first IMSA championship title and Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona win, should be the team to claim the first victory for the car in America. It’s a great motivation for everyone at Aston Martin as we look to convert the potential we showed in the Nürburgring 24 Hours and the 24 Hours of Le Mans into a strong result in this weekend’s Spa 24 Hours."
The next round of the IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship will take place at Canadian Tyre Motorsport Park on 14 July.
Team TGM also contributed to Aston Martin's successful weekend by winning an IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race with a previous generation Vantage GT4. This rounded off an impressive series of victories for Aston Martin across various championships.
The new Vantage GT3 shares its mechanical architecture with Aston Martin's latest road car model unveiled earlier this year at Silverstone. Built around a bonded aluminium chassis and powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine, it has proven its prowess across multiple continents.
The achievements underscore Aston Martin's commitment to performance and innovation. The brand continues to build on its rich heritage while pushing forward with new technologies and strategies aimed at maintaining its status as an iconic name in motorsport.
Ross Gunn now stands third in the GTD Pro class standings, while Riberas is eighth after missing a round due to competing in another event. Their combined efforts have set a promising tone for upcoming races.
Aston Martin Lagonda remains dedicated to creating high-performance cars that blend technology with craftsmanship. Their vision includes developing electric performance cars by 2025 as part of their sustainability strategy.
Founded over a century ago, Aston Martin continues to be synonymous with luxury and performance. The company aims to achieve net-zero manufacturing by 2030 while expanding its global presence through innovative automotive solutions.
The recent victories highlight Aston Martin's resilience and strategic prowess in motorsport. As they prepare for future challenges, their focus remains on delivering exceptional performance both on and off the track.
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