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Pirelli GT4 America

Heart of Racing Confirm Two-Car Aston Martin GT4 Effort

Ian James, Gray Newell return for third season alongside new all-female Aston Martin Vantage GT4…

Photo: Heart of Racing

The Heart of Racing has confirmed a two-car program for Pirelli GT4 America, building on its already announced all-female lineup in one of its Aston Martin Vantage GT4s.

The Phoenix-based squad will continue to field Gray Newell and Ian James in the No. 24 entry for the season in Pro-Am, with Newell also set to contest GT America powered by AWS.

It will mark the duo’s third season in SRO America competition, having earned two class podiums in 2021 followed by five additional podiums last year, including a breakthrough class victory at Watkins Glen International.

As previously announced, Rianna O’Meara-Hunt and Hannah Grisham will co-pilot the No. 26 Aston Martin in GT4 America after winning the team’s international all-female driver shootout last November.

“Heart of Racing has learned so much by competing in SRO over the past two years so we had no doubt that expanding our entry would be a fun challenge for our team,” said James, who also serves as team principal.

“Adding another car to our program is a great way to push our team and foster the talents of up-and-coming drivers like Rianna and Hannah.”

Grisham added: “‘Excited’ is an understatement! Rianna and I have been waiting for this season to start since Ian told us we won the shootout.

“I’m most looking forward to getting to Sonoma and feeling the buzz of energy you get when something awesome is about to happen.”

“This season is all about development: learning the tracks, learning the car, learning the team,” O’Meara-Hunt added. “Racing in the U.S. is a big stepping stone for every Kiwi driver so to think that I’ll be in the midst of it is really cool.

“I am pumped to share this opportunity with Hannah and HOR and honestly just can’t wait to get started.”

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

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