AO Racing

Last updated

Flag of the United States.svg AO Racing
AORacingLogo.png
Founded2022
Founder(s) P. J. Hyett
Gunnar Jeannette
Base St. Charles, Illinois, United States
Team principal(s)
Current series IMSA SportsCar Championship
European Le Mans Series
FIA World Endurance Championship
Current driversIMSA SportsCar Championship:
77.
Flag of Denmark.svg Michael Christensen
Flag of Germany.svg Laurin Heinrich
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sebastian Priaulx
99.
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Brabham
Flag of France.svg Paul-Loup Chatin
Flag of the United States.svg P. J. Hyett
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Quinn
European Le Mans Series:
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Louis Delétraz
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonny Edgar
Flag of Poland.svg Robert Kubica
Noted drivers Flag of the United States.svg Gunnar Jeannette
Website https://aoracing.com/

Autumn Oaks Racing, doing business as AO Racing, is an American sports car racing team that currently competes in the LMP2 and the GTD Pro classes of the IMSA SportsCar Championship and in LMP2 in the European Le Mans Series. [1] [2] [3] The team was founded in 2022 by P. J. Hyett and Gunnar Jeannette. [4]

Contents

History

AO Racing's Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) featuring the "Rexy" livery at the 2023 Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen AO Porsche WGI23 10.jpg
AO Racing's Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) featuring the "Rexy" livery at the 2023 Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen

AO Racing was founded in 2022 by GitHub co-founder and technology entrepreneur P. J. Hyett, and American race car driver Gunnar Jeannette. Hyett and Jeannette met through vintage racing and became friends. [4] In September of 2022, they made the decision to form an auto racing team to compete in the IMSA SportsCar Championship. [5] The name AO stands for Autumn Oaks, which is the name of Hyett's car collection that helped start the race team. [6]

IMSA SportsCar Championship

2023

At the second round of the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship held at Sebring International Raceway, the team debuted an all new Tyrannosaurus Rex themed livery dubbed "Rexy" by driver and team co-founder Gunnar Jeannette. [7] T. J. Harley is the livery designer. [8] The livery was culminated by team co-founder P. J. Hyett after his two children inspired him to sport a T-Rex and a Unicorn on his race helmet. "Rexy" quickly became a fan favorite, and it has easily become one of the most recognizable sportscar liveries.

2024

The team announced that they would field a second car competing in the LMP2 class in the 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship. [9] The announcement revealed that the Oreca 07 would feature a purple and orange dragon themed livery dubbed "Spike". The team signed Matthew Brabham and Paul-Loup Chatin to partner P. J. Hyett for the full season in the LMP2 entry, with Alex Quinn joining the team for the Michelin Endurance Cup. [10] The GTD Pro entry would see Michael Christensen, Laurin Heinrich, and Sebastian Priaulx drive the team's Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) for the full season.

At the third round of the season at Laguna Seca, the team scored their first win as an organization in the GTD Pro class with Heinrich and Priaulx behind the wheel of "Rexy." [11]

European Le Mans Series

Orlen Team AO by TF in 2024 4 Hours of Le Castellet. 2024 4 Hours of Le Castellet 15.jpg
Orlen Team AO by TF in 2024 4 Hours of Le Castellet.

On November 29, 2023, the team announced that they would field an LMP2 entry in the 2024 European Le Mans Series season in partnership with TF Sport. The team signed Louis Delétraz, Jonny Edgar, and former Formula One driver Robert Kubica to drive the car full-time. [12] Polish oil company Orlen would sponsor the car for the full season and the team would compete as Orlen Team AO by TF.

Racing record

24 Hours of Le Mans results

YearEntrantNo.CarDriversClassLapsPos.Class
Pos.
2023 Flag of Germany.svg Project 1 – AO56 Porsche 911 RSR-19 Flag of Italy.svg Matteo Cairoli
Flag of the United States.svg P. J. Hyett
Flag of the United States.svg Gunnar Jeannette
LMGTE Am 30935th7th
2024 Flag of the United States.svg AO by TF 14 Oreca 07-Gibson Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Louis Delétraz
Flag of the United States.svg P. J. Hyett
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Quinn
LMP2 (Pro-Am)29520th2nd

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantClassNoChassisEngineDrivers1234567Pos.Pts
2023 Flag of Germany.svg Project 1 - AO LMGTE Am 56 Porsche 911 RSR-19 Porsche M97/80 4.2 L Flat-6 Flag of Italy.svg Matteo Cairoli
Flag of the United States.svg P. J. Hyett
Flag of the United States.svg Gunnar Jeannette
Flag of Portugal.svg Guilherme Oliveira
Flag of Portugal.svg Miguel Ramos
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Efrin Castro
SEB
12
POR
6
SPA
WD
LMN
7
MON
8
FUJ
5
BHR
10
11th36

Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantClassNoChassisEngineDrivers1234567891011Pos.Pts
2023 Flag of the United States.svg AO Racing Team GTD 80 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Porsche M97/80 4.2 L Flat-6 Flag of the United States.svg P. J. Hyett
Flag of the United States.svg Gunnar Jeannette
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sebastian Priaulx
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Harry Tincknell
DAY
14
SEB
16
LBH
DNS
LGA
11
WGL
14
MOS
8
LIM
7
ELK
11
VIR
6
IMS
10
ATL
8
13th2245
2024 Flag of the United States.svg AO Racing GTD Pro 77 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Porsche M97/80 4.2 L Flat-6 Flag of Denmark.svg Michael Christensen
Flag of Germany.svg Laurin Heinrich
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sebastian Priaulx
DAY
2
SEB
9
LGA
1
DET
1
WGL
6
MOS
ELK
VIR
IMS
ATL
1st*1632*
LMP2 99 Oreca 07 Gibson GK-428 4.2 L V8 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Brabham
Flag of France.svg Paul-Loup Chatin
Flag of the United States.svg P. J. Hyett
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Quinn
DAY
8
SEB
11
WGL
7
MOS
ELK
IMS
ATL
10th*764*

* Season still in progress.

Complete European Le Mans Series results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantClassNoChassisEngineDrivers123456Pos.Pts
2024 Flag of the United States.svg Orlen Team AO by TF LMP2 14 Oreca 07 Gibson GK-428 4.2 L V8 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Louis Delétraz
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonny Edgar
Flag of Poland.svg Robert Kubica
CAT
7
LEC
IMO
SPA
MUG
POR
7th*6*


Related Research Articles

Ryan Dalziel is a Scottish professional racing driver. Dalziel has seen the most success in his career in the United States, racing in the American Le Mans Series GT1 class and the Champ Car World Series, and winning the 2010 24 Hours of Daytona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corvette Racing</span> American auto racing team

Corvette Racing is an American auto racing team established in 1999 by General Motors and Pratt Miller for the purposes of competing in sports car racing internationally. Corvette Racing was originally the official racing program for General Motors and their Chevrolet Corvette production car until the end of the LM GTE class in 2023, having utilized four generations of the Corvette to develop racing cars, although racing programs involving the Corvette have been endorsed by General Motors to varying degrees since 1956. The team is known for its yellow livery and several class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harry Tincknell</span> British racing driver

Harry William Tincknell is a British professional racing driver currently racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Dempsey-Proton Racing. He won the LMP2 class on his Le Mans 24 Hour race debut in 2014 and again in LMGTE Pro in 2020, the first driver in the race's history to win in both LMP2 and LMGTE Pro. Other notable victories include the 2016 European Le Mans Series title and the overall win at the 2020 12 Hours of Sebring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis Delétraz</span> Swiss racing driver

Louis Delétraz is a Swiss racing driver currently competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series for Prema Orlen Team and in the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Tower Motorsport. He also competes in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup with Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cooper MacNeil</span> American racing driver

Cooper Ian MacNeil is a retired professional American racecar driver. He most recently competed in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship driving the No. 79 WeatherTech Racing Mercedes-Benz AMG GT3 with co-drivers Dani Juncadella, Maro Engel, and Jules Gounon. He is son of WeatherTech owner and car collector David MacNeil. Cooper has won the 24 Hours of Daytona, Petit Le Mans three times, 12 hours of Sebring twice, and has been on the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times. He has also won the SCCA Runoffs and is a 4 time Ferrari Challenge Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Keating</span> American racing driver (born 1971)

Benjamin Edward Keating is an American racing driver and business owner operating out of Victoria, Texas. Keating is the owner of 28 car auto dealerships across Texas, The Keating Auto Group. Since starting auto racing in 2006, he has competed in many auto races worldwide, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours of Daytona, Twelve hours of Sebring, and most recently the World Endurance Championship. He is the only American driver to have won multiple World Championships. Keating began racing in 2006 after receiving a weekend track driving course as a Christmas present from his wife.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Campbell (racing driver)</span> Australian race car driver

Matthew Campbell is an Australian racing car driver, specialising in sports car racing. He is a Porsche factory driver, having formerly been a junior then young professional. Campbell won the 2022 IMSA SportsCar Championship in the GTD Pro class and is now a full-time driver of the #5 Porsche 963 for Porsche Penske Motorsport in the World Endurance Championship in the Hypercar class. Campbell won the 2016 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia driving for McElrea Racing. Campbell moved to Germany in 2017 and was third in the 2017 Porsche Supercup. He has a victorie in the LMGTE Am Class at the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans. Campbell also won overall the Bathurst 12 Hour in 2019 and 2024, driving a Porsche 911 GT3 R for Earl Bamber Motorsport and Manthey Racing respectively.

Phillip Jeffrey Hyett is an American software developer, technology entrepreneur, and a co-founder of GitHub, an Internet hosting service for software development and version control using Git, which he created with Tom Preston-Werner and Chris Wanstrath in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Corvette C8.R</span> Grand tourer racing car

The Chevrolet Corvette C8.R is a grand tourer racing car built by Pratt Miller and Chevrolet for competition in endurance racing. It serves as the replacement for the Corvette C7.R, using the C8 generation Chevrolet Corvette as a base. Corvette Racing fielded the C8.R in the IMSA SportsCar Championship GT Le Mans (GTLM) class starting with the 2020 season. The car was built to LM GTE specifications as per GTLM rules.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rui Andrade (racing driver)</span> Angolan racing driver

Rui Pinto de Andrade is an Angolan-Portuguese racing driver who is currently racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship for TF Sport.

Mario Farnbacher is a German racecar driver who currently competes in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The 2021 IMSA SportsCar Championship was the 51st racing season sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) which traces its lineage back to the 1971 IMSA GT Championship. This was also the eighth United SportsCar Championship season and sixth under the IMSA SportsCar Championship name. The series began on January 30 with the 24 Hours of Daytona, and ended on November 13 with the Petit Le Mans after 12 races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Quinn (racing driver)</span> British racing driver (born 2000)

Alexander James Quinn is a British racing driver. He currently competes in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship driving the No. 99 AO Racing LMP2 car. Quinn is the current rookie cup champion in the Formula Renault Eurocup.

Madison Snow is an American race car driver who currently competes in the IMSA SportsCar Championship. In 2018 he became the only second driver in IMSA history to win two championships in the same year, winning both the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GT Daytona (GTD) class as well as the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North American Pro class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zacharie Robichon</span> Canadian motor racing driver

Zacharie Richard Robichon is a Canadian sportscar racer, who competes in the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Heart of Racing and in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Proton Competition.

The 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship was the 53rd racing season sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association, which traces its lineage back to the 1971 IMSA GT Championship. It was also the tenth season of the IMSA SportsCar Championship since the merger between the American Le Mans Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series in 2014, and the eighth under the sponsorship of WeatherTech. The 2023 season marked an overhaul season for the championship, with a change in class structure and a new race on the season calendar at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The championship began with the 24 Hours of Daytona on January 28 and concluded with the Petit Le Mans on October 14 after 11 races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sebastian Priaulx</span> British racing driver

Sebastian "Seb" Priaulx is a British racing driver who competes for AO Racing in the IMSA SportsCar Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian James (racing driver)</span> British-American racing driver

Ian James is a British-American racing driver and principal of the Heart of Racing Team, competing in the IMSA SportsCar Championship. James has 11 total sportscar wins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 6 Hours of Portimão</span> Endurance race in Portugal

The 2023 6 Hours of Portimão was an endurance sports car racing event held at the Algarve International Circuit, at Algarve, Portugal, on 16 April 2023. It served as the second round of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship, and was the second running of the event as part of the championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 12 Hours of Sebring</span> 72nd 12 Hours of Sebring race

The 2024 12 Hours of Sebring was an endurance sports car race being held at Sebring International Raceway near Sebring, Florida, scheduled from March 13 to 16, 2024. It was the second round of both the 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship and the Michelin Endurance Cup.

References

  1. "WEATHERTECH SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP AO RACING NO. 77". imsa.com. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  2. "WEATHERTECH SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP AO RACING NO. 99". imsa.com. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  3. "Robert Kubica with Orlen Team AO by TF in 2024". Endurance Info. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Jeannette, Hyett launching AO Racing Porsche GTD effort for 2023". RACER. September 28, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  5. "About". AO Racing. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  6. "AO Racing 101". Instagram. February 2, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  7. "AO Racing reveals T-Rex livery for Sebring 12 Hours". www.motorsport.com. March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  8. IMSA Sebring Paddock Tour 2023 with Marshall Pruett presented by PILOTI , retrieved March 13, 2024
  9. "AO Racing Introduce 'Spike' The LMP2 Dragon!". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  10. "AO Racing expands to LMP2 with Hyett and Chatin; Priaulx and Heinrich in for GTD PRO". RACER. November 13, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  11. "Rexy roars to AO Racing's least-likely maiden win at Laguna Seca". RACER. May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  12. "Robert Kubica with Orlen Team AO by TF in 2024". Endurance Info. Retrieved May 17, 2024.