GR Racing

Last updated

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg GR Racing
GR Racing logo.jpg
Founded2011
Base Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Team principal(s) Mike Wainwright
Current series European Le Mans Series
Former series FIA World Endurance Championship
Noted drivers Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Barker
Flag of Italy.svg Riccardo Pera
Flag of Italy.svg Davide Rigon
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Wainwright

GR Racing, formerly known as Gulf Racing, is a British auto racing team founded in 2011 by businessman and amateur driver Mike Wainwright. The team is based in Milton Keynes, England and has featured in various endurance racing events including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC). [1] [2]

Contents

History

GR Racing's Porsche 911 RSR-19 at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans Porsche 911 RSR - Michael Wainwright, Ben Barker & Riccardo Pera in Ford Chicane at the 2023 Le Mans (53427991997).jpg
GR Racing's Porsche 911 RSR-19 at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans

GR Racing was founded in 2011 with the aim to merge competitive racing with the iconic Gulf Oil livery, representing motorsports excellence since the 1960s. [3] The team debuted in the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship competing in the GTE Am category with a Porsche 911 RSR. [1]

The debut season provided valuable experience and a competitive edge. [1] Over subsequent years, Gulf Racing achieved podium finishes in the FIA WEC, led by Ben Barker. [1] In 2021 the team stopped using the Gulf Oil livery and changed its name to GR Racing.

In recent years, GR Racing has been active in the FIA WEC and other endurance racing series. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans the team finished 4th in the LM GTE Am class in 2022 and 3rd in 2023. [2] The team expanded its operations and technical capabilities, forming partnerships with leading automotive and racing technology companies. [3]

In 2024, GR Racing became a Ferrari customer team, fielding a Ferrari 296 GT3 in the European Le Mans Series for Wainwright, Riccardo Pera and factory driver Davide Rigon. [4] [5] [6]

Racing record

Gulf Racing UK's Porsche 911 RSR at the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans Gulf Racing UK's Porsche 911 RSR Driven by Michael Wainwright, Ben Barker and Nick Foster (36038041512).jpg
Gulf Racing UK's Porsche 911 RSR at the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans
GR Racing's Ferrari 296 GT3 running at Circuit Paul Ricard in ELMS in 2024 2024 4 Hours of Le Castellet 36.jpg
GR Racing's Ferrari 296 GT3 running at Circuit Paul Ricard in ELMS in 2024

24 Hours of Le Mans results

YearEntrantNo.CarDriversClassLapsPos.Class
Pos.
2016 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gulf Racing86 Porsche 911 RSR Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Barker
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Adam Carroll
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Wainwright
LMGTE Am32833rd5th
2017 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gulf Racing UK86 Porsche 911 RSR Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Barker
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nick Foster
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Wainwright
LMGTE Am32838th10th
2018 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gulf Racing86 Porsche 911 RSR Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Barker
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alex Davison
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Wainwright
LMGTE Am28340th10th
2019 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gulf Racing86 Porsche 911 RSR Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Barker
Flag of Austria.svg Thomas Preining
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Wainwright
LMGTE Am33138th8th
2020 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gulf Racing86 Porsche 911 RSR Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Barker
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Wainwright
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andrew Watson
LMGTE Am33729th5th
2021 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg GR Racing86 Porsche 911 RSR-19 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Barker
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Gamble
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Wainwright
LMGTE Am32243rd14th
2022 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg GR Racing86 Porsche 911 RSR-19 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Barker
Flag of Italy.svg Riccardo Pera
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Wainwright
LMGTE Am34037th4th
2023 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg GR Racing86 Porsche 911 RSR-19 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Barker
Flag of Italy.svg Riccardo Pera
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Wainwright
LMGTE Am31229th3rd
2024 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg GR Racing86 Ferrari 296 GT3 Flag of Italy.svg Riccardo Pera
Flag of Brazil.svg Daniel Serra
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mike Wainwright
LMGT327839th12th

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Quick Facts: GR Racing". Porsche Motorsport. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Le Mans, 24 Hours to Win: Gr Racing". Ferrari. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Le Mans Gulf Racing". GT Raceway. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  4. "Ferrari 296 LMGT3s at the 24 Hours of Le Mans". Ferrari. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  5. "Driver: Michael Wainwright". ELMS European Le Mans Series. 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  6. "Driver: Davide Rigon". ELMS European Le Mans Series. 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.