Heart of Racing Team Expands Horizons with Veteran Turner in IMSA
The Heart of Racing Team’s foray into prototype sports car racing has opened new avenues for Aston Martin factory drivers, prominently featuring Darren Turner. At 51, Turner returns to the GT3 scene, now competing in the GT World Challenge America while also making a notable one-off appearance in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Laguna Seca this weekend.
A seasoned competitor with three 24 Hours of Le Mans class wins and over 20 years with Aston Martin, Turner takes the wheel of the #27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 to replace Tom Gamble, who is occupied with a full-season program in the WEC.
“I’m looking forward to joining Casper (Stevenson),” Turner stated, emphasizing his readiness to contribute positively during the race. His current Pro-Am partnership with Gray Newell has yielded improved results following an encouraging outing at Circuit of the Americas, reflecting Turner’s return to a full-season schedule for the first time in two years.
Turner, having finished as runner-up in the British GT Championship GT4 standings, has primarily focused on his role as an Aston Martin High Performance Development driver. His recent endeavors include significant contributions to the development of road-going hybrid supercars like the Valkyrie AMR Pro while also engaging with Dörr Motorsport and Pirelli on tire advancements for Aston Martin’s GT3 and GT4 models.
Reflecting on his return to racing, Turner noted, “I’m really happy to have a full season under my belt this year.” He acknowledged the growing competitiveness of younger drivers in the GT3 field, expressing admiration for their skill set and confidence: “The next gen – they’re too bloody quick.”
This weekend is particularly special for Turner, as it marks nearly two decades since his last full-time race in North America. He appreciated the physical demands of racing in the U.S., recalling, “I did forget how hot it was, racing in America.”
Turner’s impact extends beyond his racing role; he has been instrumental in Heart of Racing’s rapid ascent within the industry since its rebranding in 2020. Under Team Principal Ian James, the team has expanded its footprint across WEC, IMSA, and SRO America events, showcasing a remarkable evolution.
As Turner prepares to share the track with the likes of Stevenson, he views this opportunity as a chance to maintain competitive momentum. “My job this weekend is – stay out of trouble, make sure they score some points,” he concluded.
With a diverse racing background and a renewed commitment to competition, Darren Turner stands poised to reclaim his place among the elite in motorsports.
