Watkins Glen, USA – 20 June 2025
Aston Martin’s bold return to the top tier of American endurance racing reaches a critical midpoint this weekend, as the awe-inspiring Valkyrie hypercar continues its debut IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship campaign at the storied Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen. Fresh from its historic run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Aston Martin THOR Team refocuses on North American soil, determined to build on a season that has already delivered four top-10 finishes.
The Valkyrie’s appearance at Watkins Glen signals more than just a calendar milestone; it underscores Aston Martin’s pioneering effort to contest both the IMSA series and the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2025 — a feat unmatched by any other hypercar on the grid. The British marque’s presence in the IMSA GTP class not only marks its return to premier U.S. sportscar competition for the first time since 2011, but does so with a machine that fuses road-legal design DNA with top-flight race engineering.
Valkyrie’s Voyage So Far
Raced by the #23 crew of Roman De Angelis (CAN) and Ross Gunn (GBR), the Aston Martin Valkyrie has shown remarkable resilience in its first four IMSA outings. After its strong debut at the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, the car has proven consistent with encouraging results at Long Beach and Detroit — all top-10 finishes in one of the most competitive championships on the planet.
Built around a track-focused evolution of the Valkyrie road car, the race-spec version boasts a high-revving 6.5-litre V12 capable of 11,000rpm, tuned to meet LMH regulations with a power cap of 500kW (680bhp). A bespoke carbon fibre chassis and race-developed aerodynamic suite round out what is arguably the most extreme machine on the IMSA grid.
“Watkins Glen is one of my favourite races on the calendar,” said Gunn. “We’ve tested well here, and the team is more dialled-in with each outing. There’s still so much to learn about Valkyrie’s behaviour across a six-hour race stint, especially in changing conditions, but I’m optimistic we can take another step forward.”
De Angelis echoed the sentiment: “It’s a special feeling to bring the Valkyrie here for the first time. The Glen is a track where I’ve had success in the past, and with the momentum we’re carrying, I think there’s more to come.”
Vantage Takes Centre Stage at Watkins Glen and Pikes Peak
Aston Martin’s endurance racing narrative doesn’t stop with the Valkyrie. The Vantage GT3 — the brand’s most successful customer race car to date — headlines a three-pronged GTD attack at Watkins Glen, led by The Heart of Racing, Van der Steur Racing, and Magnus Racing.
Returning to the site of their memorable GTD and GTD Pro class double victory in 2022, THOR is fielding the #27 Vantage GT3 with British driver Casper Stevenson, former champion Zacharie Robichon (CAN), and works driver Tom Gamble (GBR). Stevenson currently sits fourth in the GTD standings, with momentum building.
Elsewhere, Van der Steur Racing returns with the #19 Vantage GT3 following a strong sixth-place finish at Daytona earlier this year. Rory van der Steur and Anthony McIntosh are joined by Aston Martin works driver and reigning Le Mans Cup LMGT3 champion, Valentin Hasse Clot.
Magnus Racing also makes a welcome comeback, fielding team principal John Potter alongside Spencer Pumpelly and Danish Aston Martin stalwart Marco Sørensen, the brand’s most successful works racer.
A First Ascent: Aston Martin Tackles Pikes Peak
The weekend also marks a new chapter as Aston Martin enters the legendary Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for the first time. American driver Steve Wetterau will campaign a Vantage GT4 in the Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama class — bringing the brand’s racing spirit to one of the most formidable challenges in motorsport.
The 12.42-mile, 156-turn hill climb through the Colorado Rockies has long been a proving ground for innovation and bravery. Wetterau’s participation not only adds a new dimension to Aston Martin’s 2025 motorsport calendar but also showcases the adaptability of the Vantage platform in extreme environments.
Eyes on the Horizon
According to Adam Carter, Head of Endurance Motorsport at Aston Martin, Watkins Glen serves as a pivotal point in the Valkyrie’s developmental arc.
“With four races under our belt, this event gives us critical data on a classic North American track layout — something we’ll carry through to the rest of the season,” Carter said. “The response to Valkyrie in the U.S. has been overwhelming. It’s a clear sign that Aston Martin’s racing future is resonating with fans across the globe.”
Team Principal Ian James added, “Every race brings new insight. Watkins Glen suits the car, and we’ve seen promising signs during testing. Our goal is steady progression — and to seize any opportunity that comes our way.”
How to Watch
Fans can catch the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen live from 12:10 (EDT) on Sunday, 22 June, via IMSA TV, the IMSA YouTube channel, and select national broadcasters.
Coverage of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb begins at 06:00 (MDT) the same day and will be shown on Racer TV and globally on the Racer+ app.
From Watkins Glen to Pikes Peak, Aston Martin is asserting itself at the heart of North American motorsport — with cutting-edge technology, racing heritage, and unmistakable presence. The second half of the season promises even more spectacle as Valkyrie and Vantage continue their charge across the continent’s most demanding arenas.
