The Heart of Racing Team heads to Le Mans
Le Mans, France (8 June 2024) - The Heart of Racing Team heads to Le Mans, France for 92nd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the second year. The team will have one entry in the huge event as the FIA World Endurance Championship program looks to build momentum with a strong outing on the global stage.
The week will be a busy one of practice, qualifying, fan events, and endless preparation in the build up to Saturday’s (June 15) race start. The team will also compete in two other races, with a different driver squad set to take on both the Road to Le Mans doubleheader as well as Friday’s 4-hour Fun Cup.
Ian James, Alex Riberas and Daniel Mancinelli will team up in the No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage LMGT3 after scoring a sixth place finish in the 91st edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Having raced a partial season of WEC outings in 2023, the trio has made a strong start to the 2024 season with second and fifth place finishes at Qatar and Imola with 47 laps led thus far.
The week of Le Mans will kick off with two test sessions on Sunday June 9th before a week of practice sessions and qualifying before racing commences with the traditional waving of the french flag on Saturday June 15th.
“It’s a dream come true to be back here in Le Mans,” said Riberas. “Everything seems to be a bit more comfortable and a bit more normal which makes it easier to know what to expect, but the feeling is still the same. This is the most unique and the most special event in the world and the highlight of our season without a doubt. The next 8 days are the most important days of the year and we are going to face it with the most enthusiasm and the most positive energy. I think we are going to be competitive and it’s going to be a very long 24 hour race. It will be important to be quick, but more importantly to stay focused. I’m very excited and cannot wait!”
“I’m very excited to be back in Le Mans 24 hours with the Heart of Racing,” said Mancinelli. “It has always been my dream to take part in this amazing race, to be back here for the second time is awesome! I have to say mentally everything is easier this year compared to last year, now all the activities before the race, both off the track and on track, the procedures, rules are already in our mind, we have to focus more on the driving / race management only. Ian, Alex and I are very motivated and will put all our effort to bring our fantastic blue Aston Martin on the top.”
In addition to running the 24 hour main event, the Heart of Racing Team will also see Gray Newell in the Road to Le Mans series running two 55-minute races, one on Thursday June 13th and another the morning of the 24 hour enduro on Saturday June 15th.
The Heart of Racing Team is also excited to have Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier drive in the Fun Cup. The duo will team up in a specially-prepared Volkswagen Beetle for a four hour endurance race on Friday June 14th. The Heart of Racing is familiar with the Fun Cup regulations as the team has participated in the 25 hours of Spa in July.
