Heart of Racing Expands into Two-Car Aston GTD Operation

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

The Heart of Racing will expand into a two-car IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship operation beginning with next month’s round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, marking the return of Alex Riberas to the fold.

The Spaniard, who has been based in New Zealand since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, will return to series competition in the No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 alongside team principal Ian James.

It joins the season-long No. 23 entry shared by Roman De Angelis and Aston Martin factory driver Ross Gunn, who currently sit second in the GT Daytona class title race.

Riberas, who took part in the 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona, was initially tabbed to drive alongside De Angelis last season.

The 27-year-old now returns Stateside after having helped establish the team’s New Zealand-based race operation where he led The Heart of Racing to victory in the New Zealand Endurance Championship in 2020.

“Establishing the New Zealand program was an amazing experience,” said Riberas. “Now it is time for me to continue my adventure with the team it all started with.

“It’s inspiring to be back in the states with The Heart of Racing. I have a lot I want to accomplish in my IMSA career with this team.”

James added: Alex has been part of our family since the beginning and it is great to finally have him back. Racing alongside him is just another bonus to having him in the U.S.”

Riberas and James will complete the remainder of the WeatherTech Sprint Cup races, which includes the races at Laguna Seca, Long Beach and Virginia International Raceway.

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