Robichon “Living the Dream” With Global Triple Header

Zach Robichon exclaimed he is “living the dream” as he is set to embark on three consecutive long-distance endurance races with Heart of Racing Team, starting with this weekend’s Michelin 24H Dubai.

The Canadian racer joins Ian James, Gray Newell and Hannah Grisham aboard the No. 27 Heart of Racing by SPS Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo for the Middle Eastern enduro, which is his first appearance at the event.

He will then step into Heart of Racing’s Aston Martin GTD lineup at the Rolex 24 at Daytona later this month, before traveling to Australia to make his Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour debut with the Ian James-led squad.

Speaking with Sportscar365, Robichon explained that he made the decision to place more focus on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship after a season of FIA World Endurance Championship with Ryan Hardwick, which then led to the opportunity to do both Dubai and Bathurst.

“I’ve been lucky enough the last few years to make a lot of good relationships with a lot of really great people,” Robichon said.

“And after three years racing with Ryan, with his move to Manthey, there was a little bit of unknown over IMSA and WEC and whatnot. 

“I could have stayed with Ryan to do WEC, and he was super open about that. But ultimately, I always felt as though IMSA was home for me.

“Every race is a three, four-hour flight. And I wanted to make sure that I kind of kept a home base with some IMSA teams.

“And Ian [James], after a good season last year, basically said, ‘Hey, why don’t you come back [and] we’ll add a few races for you too.’

“He asked, ‘ What’s one bucket list race you have? and I said Bathurst. He was like, ‘Okay I’ll make you a deal: if we go to Dubai and you help us in Dubai, you can come to Bathurst.

“So that was a pretty easy decision and then obviously Daytona next week. So basically, two 24-hour races and one 12-hour race in four weeks. It’s going to be busy.”

The past few years have seen Robichon take on an increasingly international schedule, including three appearances in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The 32-year-old explained that it is about grabbing opportunities when they emerge, admitting that he ‘has no idea how he got here.’

“When I started racing in IMSA, I was sort of like, ‘This is my dream’ and then whenever you go to the next step there’s always something else you want to do,” said Robichon.

“I was super fortunate to spend a lot of time with Porsche, had a really good relationship and still do. So this year is going to be the first time that I’m not doing any races in a Porsche because I did do Spa last year. 

“But yeah, how I got here, honestly, I don’t think I could give you an answer because there’s been so many times that at the end of the year, I was like, I have no idea what I’m doing next year.

“Truthfully, I’m okay with that. Because I feel as though I’ve been privileged enough to have these opportunities and to take the chance when they come is super special.

“As they say, we’re living the dream. Who knows how long it’s going to last.”

Robichon got his break in sports car racing with Porsche before switching to a Ford Mustang GT3 last year and is now making his debut at the wheel of Mercedes-AMG’s GT3 offering.

“As far as jumping in, I think it’s the easiest car I’ve driven,” he said.

“Honestly, within like three to four laps you’re kind of like, ‘Yeah I got it. I don’t need to think about it anymore.’

“What was interesting was that obviously yesterday was my first time at this track and a first time in a Mercedes and I can honestly say that I never even had two thoughts about the car.

“I just could go out and just think about the track. So there’s that benefit to it.

“And I think it really works well with like Hannah being her first time in a GT3 I think this is a really good car to drive for her and for Gray as he gets more experience. There’s obviously there’s goods and bads to every car.

“This one, definitely that kind of simpleness is its strong suit.”