Heart of Racing Confirms 2021 Return; Gunn Joins Team

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

The Heart of Racing has confirmed a return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with Aston Martin factory driver Ross Gunn joining the team’s lineup for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Gunn will team up with returnees Darren Turner, Roman De Angelis and Ian James in the No. 23 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 for the season-opener.

The team, which ran with James and De Angelis for the majority of the 2020 season, has yet to declare its full-season lineup.

James, who also serves as the team principal, told Sportscar365 that he expects to have it defined by the second round of the season at Sebring.

“Last year was a lot of learning and refining the team and car,” he said. “Towards the end of the season we made some really great strides and became a podium threat.

“Since then we have been working tirelessly in the short off-season to be prepared for the year ahead.

“Thanks to Gabe [Newell]’s continued support we will be looking to operate at our maximum potential and enjoy the tremendous opportunity on and off the track!”

James, De Angelis and Turner are coming off a season-best second place finish in last year’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring following a continual progression throughout its first season of competition.

“We had such an amazing last year with two podiums and such a strong connection with the team by the end of the season,” said De Angelis.

“I’m very happy to be returning to the track to work with this amazing group of people and build on last years’ results for a great Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. I can’t thank them enough for having me back.”

Gunn took part in last year’s Rolex 24 in AMR’s factory-entered Vantage GT3.

“The Rolex 24 at Daytona is the biggest race of the year for the team and a huge challenge for the drivers and crew,” he said.

“The team really started unlocking the full potential of the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 last year and I’m sure they will continue to do so going into Daytona.”

Alongside racing last year, the team have been making strides with raising support and awareness for Team Seattle, a 501(c)3 Guild of Seattle Children’s Hospital, with more than $7 million has been raised to date.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John