IMSA Insider: Le Mans to The Glen, Valkyrie’s Steady Hands

You won’t hear the word fatigue from Heart of Racing Team sporting manager Paul Charsley, even during a whirlwind stretch that would challenge the most seasoned traveler. With back-to-back weekends from Le Mans to Watkins Glen, Charsley still finds joy.

“Every time we walk in the paddock and wherever we go, I promise you I have a smile on my face, and I’ll just feel elated that I’m still doing this stuff after all these years,” he said.

Charsley’s motorsport story began early. Raised in a racing family, he was just five years old when he found himself pressed against a track fence, mesmerized by the cars flashing by.

That childhood dream turned into a career, with his racing debut in IMSA eventually evolving into a role as a driver instructor.

“That’s where I met Ian [James],” Charsley said. “We were both fellow drivers, trying to make it and instructing, making money that way, so I’ve known Ian for a very long time.”

That connection with James, now Heart of Racing’s team principal, paved the way to Charsley’s current role overseeing U.S.-based logistics, from team travel to truck movement and scheduling.

He also handles all competition-side communication with race series organizers and manages the crew across the U.S.

When we caught up with him, Charsley was in the paddock at Le Mans. He was supporting Heart of Racing Team’s massive effort with two Valkyrie Hypercars and an entry in LMGT3.

“One of my goals here is to learn how things are going in WEC, what the crew’s challenges are, and maybe use some of the things we’ve got to help,” Charsley said.

“Then hopefully bring the communication on both sides of the ocean together as we build up the Valkyrie program.”

Le Mans is another large data dump for the Valkyrie program, like what was seen at the North American debut in Sebring.

“We’re going to take that from Le Mans and take it back to Watkins Glen,” said Charsley.

A key piece in making that data relevant? Consistency across series—like the same Michelin tire used in IMSA and WEC.

“The back and forth, as I say, of information between the two sides would nearly not be very possible, if we were running two different types of tires,” Charsley said.

“The tire consistency, the ability for the Michelin tire to have longevity, so we can go out there and run lap after lap after lap and not have to keep throwing new tires at it and still be developing the car is a super important part of it.”

Drivers Ross Gunn and Roman De Angelis, who piloted the No. 007 and No. 009 Valkyrie Hypercars at Le Mans, will once again share the No. 23 GTP entry in IMSA at The Glen.

“I think we’re over some of the tracks that aren’t necessarily ideal for our car, like the street circuits (Long Beach and Detroit),” Charsley said. “I think that Glen is going to be a great place for the Valkyrie as well.”

Heart of Racing Team arrives at The Glen on Wednesday, full of data and excitement to be in the paddock.