KyraSage
Today The Racers Group, TRG, announced that they will not only be competing in the Fanatec GT World Challenge series in the Pro/Am class, but they will be returning to the Aston Martin Racing platform to do so.
Veteran TRG driver Derek DeBoer will be teaming up with Aston Martin Racing Team Professional Driver Ross Gunn in the 2023 Aston Martin Vantage GT3.
Derek DeBoer, who’s most recent stint in GT3 racing was in 2015 where he finished in the Top 10 at the 24 Hours of Daytona, had this to say, “As a driver, getting back into the GT3 class full time with TRG and SRO is one of my dreams and personal goals. This is the season that this goal gets checked off the list, which is really a big deal to me. Now it’s time to go get that Aston onto the podium.” For those that don’t know, Derek has shared his racing experience and life, in a docuseries called Fastlife. It’s all about chasing dreams and encouraging others to chase and achieve their dreams. It’s worth checking out.
Derek’s teammate Ross Gunn has been making a name for himself in the world of GT3 racing with Aston Martin in the recent years. As an Aston Martin factory driver since 2016, he’s raced endurance in the GT World Challenge Endurance Europe Cup and spent the last 3 years competing in the WeatherTech Sportscar Championship in the GTD Pro Class. Ross was awarded the WeatherTech Sprint Cup title, which is given to the highest performing team throughout the season’s sprint events and has competed at the 24 Hours of LeMans, Petit LeMans and most recently at the 24 Hours of Daytona. He had this to say, “I am most excited about joining TRG and Derek for their 2023 campaign in GTWCA. Having met Derek and the team at Daytona recently, they have some lofty ambitions for the season ahead. I am excited to help them towards these goals and can’t wait for Sonoma.”
After more than two decades that have included seven series championships and more than 100 victories worldwide, founder and CEO of The Racers Group, Kevin Buckler, is eager to be in GT3 racing and to test his team and drivers at the Pro/Am level. Back with him is Mike Johnson. Mike is a former TRG member from the early 2000s, founder and CEO of Archangel Motorsports, and is now beginning his second season as the TRG Team Manager.
“Our passion is racing, especially within the highly respected GT3 series, keeps us striving for more and more. We are super excited to put this opportunity together, for our 10 year veteran team driver, Derek DeBoer, and once again, teaming with Aston Martin gives us an opportunity to push our limits even further – we couldn’t be more excited. The brand is powerful, and the company has grown, as have we, and I feel like this partnership is almost limitless.”
For their part, Aston Martin shares Buckler’s enthusiasm. “TRG has pulled together a strong team and driver line up for GTWCA,” head of AMR Partner Racing, Huw Tasker said. “We look forward to working with the team to achieve their ambitions in 2023 and beyond. Having worked with both Mike and Kevin previously, as well as the two drivers, I think the team are right to be confident that this will be a successful GT3 program, which everyone at AMR is excited about.”
TGR will kick off their 2023 season March 30th – April 2nd at their home track, Sonoma Raceway.
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