Mario Farnbacher and the team Heart of Racing joined the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season’s second race on 16 March. The Aston Martin driver and his team colleagues secured fifth place in a challenging run of the 12 Hours of Sebring’s 72nd edition.

“We made the most of it,” Farnbacher summed up. “Unfortunately, we were lacking a bit of pace throughout the race, and moving further to the front wasn’t on the cards. We tried to push forwards right up to the very last second and can still be content with the result.”

The 31-year-old and his teammates Ross Gunn and Alex Riberas were certainly justified in hoping for a top 3 result in the popular endurance race at the Sebring International Raceway. Qualifying saw Farnbacher delivering a fast lap in the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and ensured him a promising starting position with second on the grid. However, the Heart of Racing team couldn’t attack the frontrunners as the race progressed and finally took home a fifth in the GTD Pro class.

“My first stint on used tires went quite well, I was able to keep up with the others’ pace. But when we were running on new tires, we had to cope with a few problems, so fifth place was the best we could do. We can still be proud of ourselves. We’re working hard to continually improve and will definitely be in full-attack mode for the next race,” said the Aston Martin pilot.

Farnbacher’s next opportunity for a top result awaits at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca from 10 to 12 May with the championship´s fourth round of the season.

For several years now, Mario Farnbacher hasn’t been able to imagine life without the traditional Daytona 24 Hours season-opener. However, 2024 sees a new beginning for him: from now on, he’ll be at the start of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship as a regular driver for the Heart of Racing team. And that right away with a first success: a fourth place at the season opener in Daytona.

Together with Ross Gunn and Alex Riberas, he’ll be driving the newest version of the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in the endurance classic’s 62^nd edition. After 24 hours the trio was delighted to celebrate a GTD PRO class fourth place at the new British car’s racing premiere in the 24 Hours.

“All in all, we are very satisfied with the weekend. We put in a good performance that we can build on”, said the 31-year-old. “Unfortunately, it emerged from the word go, that we wouldn’t be able to quite keep up with the frontrunner pace. But we didn’t give up, kept fighting and were finally rewarded with a fourth place in this highly competitive GTD PRO. Of course, it’s always annoying to narrowly miss the podium, but basically our delight about this successful debut is far greater,” said the 31-year-old.

It was also Farnbacher’s return to the Heart of Racing team. Up till 2016, the German had been at the wheel for the Ian James squad several times. And the return went almost without any problem for the trio: only a contact during the night forced the team to change the front part of the car. Apart from this brief pit stop, the trio drove a faultless race and managed to stay out of any incidents.

“The entire team did a fantastic job and provided us with a top-prepared car. Naturally, I had to learn quite a bit about the new car and the new team as the upfront test phase was limited. I think we’ll now be heading in the right direction at the next race in Sebring and can make an all-out attack,” the Heart of Racing pilot added.

The next IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup race is scheduled for 16. March when the 72^nd 12 Hours of Sebring is on the agenda.

Mario Farnbacher will compete for Heart of Racing in the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. The two-time GTD champion is set to drive an Aston Martin AMR Vantage GT3 Evo.

“I’m extremely excited about this new challenge,” says the 31-year-old. “It will of course be a change for me as I will have to adapt to a new car. But we have a very good package, and the past has shown that the Aston Martin is a very fast car.”

And the driver from Ansbach already knows the team: “It was with the Heart of Racing Porsche that I celebrated my GTD debut. The entire programme ran until 2016, so I already know a part of the team. I’m also looking forward to working with team boss Ian James, with whom I shared the cockpit at the time,” continues Farnbacher.

The championship is also familiar ground for the German. In recent years he has celebrated two titles as well as numerous victories and podium finishes in the GTD class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. In 2024 he will primarily compete in the championship’s endurance races. The first test kilometres behind the wheel of the British car are planned for December at the Daytona International Speedway.

“I can hardly wait to do the first laps. I am sure we will be competitive. It’s just great to be part of a programme like this,” says Farnbacher, looking forward to the coming year. The first race of the 2024 season is the Rolex 24 at Daytona from 25 to 28 January.

Just two weeks after the Sebring event, the decisive GT World Challenge America round took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indy 8 Hour saw Mario Farnbacher and the Racers Edge Motorsports team making the best out of the still intact championship prospects and despite a difficult race, they finished off the season with a strong second in the Pro class.

In combination with the Intercontinental GT Challenge, the participants of the GT World Challenge America were fighting in this joint season finale on the historical US circuit in Indiana for the season’s last points. Ahead of this decisive race, Farnbacher and Harrison were 22 points behind the championship’s leaders. The duo were supported this time by Kyle Marcelli.

Farnbacher, Harrison and Marcelli qualified in their Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 with a grid fifth in their class and an overall 15th position. Start driver Marcelli picked up several places in the initial phase, but it wasn’t long before the first setback occurred. The Canadian was roughly pushed out onto the grass by a competitor and fell back to the rear of the field. The trio then battled gamely forwards until another touch ensued, the resulting drive-through penalty finally dashed all hopes of realising what had been a possible title win.

“Luck just wasn’t on our side. We were giving everything we had and when unforeseeable things happen during the race, then sadly such is life,” said Mario Farnbacher after the chequered flag had fallen.

In the end, the Ansbach native Farnbacher and his team mates secured a class fourth and an overall classification 14th. Parallel to this result, Farnbacher and Harrison achieved second place in the championship after their eight-hour race.

Farnbacher commented, “It was really tough for us to make a good job of the race after the damage at the beginning and the other setbacks. Now we’ve simply got to be content with second place and not shed too many tears about the lost title. See you again next year!”

The big finale in Indianapolis ended a stressful GT World Challenge America season, full of highs and lows for Mario Farnbacher and Racers Edge Motorsports.

A month after winning the GT World Challenge America event on the Road America, Mario Farnbacher headed for his next Racers Edge Motorsports assignment. On 23 and 24 September, the Ansbach native and his team colleague Ashton Harrison were focussing on winning more vital championship points at the Sebring International Raceway.

Having started from fourth on the grid, the Acura NSX GT3 EVO22 driver duo were able to hold this position in the first of the 90-minute races till five minutes before the finish. In the final phase, Farnbacher saw his chance to achieve a podium finish and seized it! Five minutes before the end, a daring manoeuvre enabled him to secure the third position. Unfortunately, his joy was short-lived. A few turns later, the 31-year-old was roughly pushed out onto the grass by an opponent and then had to make do with a fourth place.

“We had a really strong car this weekend and could fight for a third place in the first race. Unfortunately, we were taken out in the last lap. With regard to the championship standings, that’s an incredibly bitter pill to swallow,” the Acura works driver stated.

This bad luck continued into the second race. After just one lap, the two-time IMSA champion had to retire his car due to a technical problem. Although this is a setback for Harrison and Farnbacher, there’s still the race weekend in Indianapolis to come and shortly before the final, the duo has a top placement in the PRO class and is still bidding for the title.

“The fight’s over when the chequered flag falls in Indianapolis. Till then, we’ll be doing everything we possibly can,” said a very combative Farnbacher.

The final GT World Challenge America race weekend is scheduled for 5 to 7 October on the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway circuit.

Two weeks after the IMSA guest appearance, Mario Farnbacher headed for the next race weekend on the legendary Road America. Together with Ashton Harrison, the 31-year-old was racing for Racers Edge Motorsports at the GT World Challenge America on the Elkhart Lake circuit.

“Qualifying didn’t go at all well, because the other cars were carrying a stronger performance package. But I think the first race was a good comeback for us, as we’ve fought forwards to third position.”

In the first of the two 90-minute races, the Acura NSX GT3 crew battled its way from a twelfth on the grid to a fifth in the overall classification, which at the same time means a third position in the Pro class. In addition, during the 39-lap race, the driver duo Farnbacher and his team colleague Ashton Harrison were able to draw away from the Porsche team leading the championship, thus tightening the gap in the fight for the title.

“I had a good start to the second race. Unfortunately, the resurfacing of the track has provided just one fast line in the corners and during the kick-off tussle, I was pushed out to the edge and lost time as a result.”

The two-time IMSA champion was able to gain two more positions in the following laps. However, after a touch by an opponent, the Acura #93 went into a spin and again lost further positions. Ultimately, Harrison finished with a fourth in the class, but the Franconian-American duo lost several points in the title fight.

Next stop on the GT World Challenge America programme is from 22 to 24 September, when the SRO race series continues on the legendary airfield circuit in Sebring, Florida. Farnbacher travels there with good memories of the circuit, having twice won the 12-hour races on the track.

Mario Farnbacher returned to the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship for one round. Together with Racers Edge Motorsports and teammate Ashton Harrison, the 31-year-old had set himself big goals, but did not get better than eighth place at Road America.

“I was very happy to come back for another round in the IMSA. The competition is tough and for us it was also good practice for the next race weekend in the GT World Challenge, which will also be held in Elkhart Lake,” said Farnbacher.

Solid results in the practice sessions were followed by an eleventh place in qualifying. From there, thanks to an early pit stop, Farnbacher and Harrison moved forward during the race. The undercut initially paid off and pushed the duo up to second position in the GTD classification. But because the hoped-for caution phase failed to materialise, Farnbacher had to pit again for a splash-and-dash. The hoped-for advantage was thus gone.

“We were forced to take a risk with our race strategy. This did not pay off and we ended up with only eighth place. But we had a great car and strong pace. A podium would have been possible, I am sure of that. Many thanks to the whole crew for the hard work!”

After the IMSA guest appearance, a return to the GT World Challenge America is up next, once again at Road America in Elkhart Lake. The racetrack in the American state of Wisconsin hosts races nine and ten of the championship.

The GT World Challenge America 2023 season races seven and eight ran from 16 to 18 June. Mario Farnbacher and teammate Ashton Harrison were on the Virginia International Raceway at Alton for Racers Edge Motorsports and clinched a fifth in the overall classification, as well as a second place in the Pro category. 

“We were expecting more pace. In addition, we had to deal with some tyre problems over the weekend. So, it wasn’t an easy one for us,” said the Franconian. “But despite a few hitches, we got the best out of it. The entire Racers Edge Motorsports team did a fantastic job again and prepared the car incredibly well.”

Things looked good for Farnbacher and Harrison in Sunday’s qualifying. The 30-year-old secured a pole position in the Pro category with a time of 1:43.646, which also meant a third on the grid in the overall classification. 

The duo placed all their bets on turning this good opening position into a strong result. And they succeeded! After a total of 48 laps, Harrison came in second in the Pro category. The day before, tyre damage had unfortunately frustrated hopes of a top result. 

“It seems BMW and Mercedes are presently driving in another dimension, so we’re trying to get the best out of the situation,” the Acura works driver continued. “Of course, we’re a bit disappointed about Saturday’s result, we could have done better. However, everything’s still open in the championship and we’re concentrating on that.”

The next 2023 GT World Challenge America round is scheduled for 18 to 20 August in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Races nine and ten are on the programme.

Mario Farnbacher’s 2023 GT World Challenge America season began with ups and downs. The Franconian and his team Racers Edge Motorsports were aiming to climb onto the top step of the rostrum again at the Austin race weekend (19to 21 May) in Texas – and they succeeded. In the second race, Farnbacher and his team colleague Ashton Harrison secured the victory. The previous day, the duo had already clinched a second place in the Pro category at the Circuit of the Americas.

“Our weekend definitely wasn’t an easy one, we always lacked a bit of pace. We can be all the happier about the results now. We certainly got the most out of it”, said the 31-year-old. “We felt a lot of pressure. After the last, not quite so successful weekend, we desperately wanted to score a lot of championship points. And that’s what we did!”

After the Saturday qualifying, at first it didn’t look as though the race weekend in Austin would proceed so successfully. Farnbacher and Harrison entered the race from just 15th on the grid. A drive-through penalty right at the start made a catch-up all the more problematic. However, the Racers Edge Motorsports duo were not put off and fought their way steadily, position for position, to the finish line. In the end, they finished seventh overall, which secured them second place in the Pro category.

The second race took them even further forwards. Starting from seventh, Farnbacher managed to avoid all scuffles and handed the wheel in a promising position to Harrison. The US American driver in the Acura NSX GT3 maintained a consistently high speed and was able to land the season’s first overall win.

“A very big compliment to Ashton and the whole crew. The team did a perfect job and their pitstops were awesome. Ashton delivered a strong performance on the track”, the Acura works driver explained. “Of course, we profited a bit from competitors’ bad luck in the first race, but that’s life in motorsport. We also weren’t always the lucky ones. Now we hope things will continue so positively in Virginia. The circuit should suit us.”

The next GT World Challenge America race weekend is scheduled for 16to 18 June at the Virginia International Raceway. Season rounds seven and eight are on the programme.

The second round of the GT World Challenge America with Racers Edge Motorsports was on Mario Farnbacher’s schedule from 28 to 30 April. Together with teammate Ashton Harrison, the Ansbach native had been focusing on a top placement, but despite strong qualifying sessions, the duo couldn’t make it onto the podium.

„We were in fact very confident about the weekend”, said Farnbacher. „Last year we did well on the track. We also had a good pace in the training sessions but couldn’t turn that into good results this time.” 

Turbulent weather conditions made it clear that the race weekend in Avondale, Louisiana, wouldn’t be an easy one. Harrison started the first race from fifth on the grid, gained positions and cut the gap to the leaders. Farnbacher hoped to follow up on this positive trend, however, the part-dry, part-wet track made it difficult. He managed to gain ground and had the frontrunners well within reach, until a slide into the gravel dashed all hopes of a top result.

„Initially, things looked really good on Saturday. Then I made a mistake which cost us the good placement”, the Acura works driver explained. “My apologies to the team, but mistakes are human. I’ll learn from them, and I’ll do better next time.”

Farnbacher had the opportunity to make amends a day later and secured a pole position in the Pro category after a strong qualifying. He and Harrison displayed all their skills in the race, but another participant touched their car, which spelt the end for the duo. US driver Harrison went into a spin and got stuck in the gravel, causing a loss of several laps. Another 16th place was the result.

19 to 21 May is the next date on the GT World Challenge America calendar. Season races five and six will take place on the Circuit of the Americas.