GR Racing
| Founded | 2011 |
|---|---|
| Base | Milton Keynes, United Kingdom |
| Team principal(s) | Mike Wainwright |
| Current series | European Le Mans Series |
| Former series | FIA World Endurance Championship |
| Noted drivers | Ben Barker Riccardo Pera Davide Rigon 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]
History
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
24 Hours of Le Mans results
| Year | Entrant | No. | Car | Drivers | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Gulf Racing | 86 | Porsche 911 RSR | Ben Barker Adam Carroll Mike Wainwright |
LMGTE Am | 328 | 33rd | 5th |
| 2017 | Gulf Racing UK | 86 | Porsche 911 RSR | Ben Barker Nick Foster Mike Wainwright |
LMGTE Am | 328 | 38th | 10th |
| 2018 | Gulf Racing | 86 | Porsche 911 RSR | Ben Barker Alex Davison Mike Wainwright |
LMGTE Am | 283 | 40th | 10th |
| 2019 | Gulf Racing | 86 | Porsche 911 RSR | Ben Barker Thomas Preining Mike Wainwright |
LMGTE Am | 331 | 38th | 8th |
| 2020 | Gulf Racing | 86 | Porsche 911 RSR | Ben Barker Mike Wainwright Andrew Watson |
LMGTE Am | 337 | 29th | 5th |
| 2021 | GR Racing | 86 | Porsche 911 RSR-19 | Ben Barker Tom Gamble Mike Wainwright |
LMGTE Am | 322 | 43rd | 14th |
| 2022 | GR Racing | 86 | Porsche 911 RSR-19 | Ben Barker Riccardo Pera Mike Wainwright |
LMGTE Am | 340 | 37th | 4th |
| 2023 | GR Racing | 86 | Porsche 911 RSR-19 | Ben Barker Riccardo Pera Mike Wainwright |
LMGTE Am | 312 | 29th | 3rd |
| 2024 | GR Racing | 86 | Ferrari 296 GT3 | Riccardo Pera Daniel Serra Mike Wainwright |
LMGT3 | 278 | 39th | 12th |
References
- ^ a b c d "Quick Facts: GR Racing". Porsche Motorsport. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Le Mans, 24 Hours to Win: Gr Racing". Ferrari. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Le Mans Gulf Racing". GT Raceway. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ "Ferrari 296 LMGT3s at the 24 Hours of Le Mans". Ferrari. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ "Driver: Michael Wainwright". ELMS European Le Mans Series. 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ "Driver: Davide Rigon". ELMS European Le Mans Series. 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.