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Aston Martin Valkyrie Makes Historic North American Racing Debut at 12 Hours of Sebring
Aston Martin is making motorsport history once again as its Valkyrie hypercar prepares to take on North America’s most demanding endurance race, the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring. This marks a significant milestone for the British luxury performance brand as the first-ever Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) developed from a road-legal hypercar competes in IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA).
A New Era for Aston Martin in IMSA Racing
The Aston Martin Valkyrie, run by the Aston Martin THOR team, is the first LMH car to race in IMSA and will be the only such hypercar contesting both IMSA and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). This move marks Aston Martin’s return to top-tier US sports car racing for the first time since 2011, when it last competed in the American Le Mans Series.
The Valkyrie’s 6.5-liter V12 engine, developed in partnership with Cosworth, produces over 1,000 bhp in road form but has been adapted to comply with IMSA's 500kW (680bhp) power limit. The race-spec Valkyrie combines its lightweight carbon-fiber chassis with cutting-edge aerodynamics, making it a formidable competitor in endurance racing.
IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring: A Tough Challenge for Valkyrie
Sebring International Raceway is notorious for its challenging track conditions, featuring bumpy surfaces and high-speed corners that put cars and drivers to the ultimate test. The Valkyrie’s endurance capabilities will be pushed to their limits, with an international driver lineup ready to take on this grueling 12-hour race:
The #23 Aston Martin Valkyrie will contest the full IMSA season, marking a new era for Aston Martin in top-tier North American endurance racing.
Aston Martin’s Rich Legacy in Sebring and GT Racing
While Valkyrie takes on the GTP division, Aston Martin will also continue its dominance in GT racing with the latest Vantage GT3 competing in IMSA’s GTD class. The Heart of Racing (THOR) team and Van der Steur Racing are both fielding Aston Martin Vantage GT3s in pursuit of Sebring success.
The Aston Martin Vantage GT3, powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, has already proven itself on the endurance racing stage. Fresh from a podium finish at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Vantage GT3 aims to add to its legacy of success at Sebring, where Aston Martin previously won the GT1 class in 2005 with the DBR9 model.
Aston Martin Valkyrie: From Road to Racetrack
One of the most exciting aspects of the Valkyrie’s IMSA debut is its direct connection to the road-going version, making it the only hypercar in IMSA’s top class derived from a road-legal vehicle. Car enthusiasts in Dubai and around the world can experience a glimpse of this racing pedigree through the Aston Martin Valkyrie road car, available in extremely limited numbers.
For those looking to own a piece of Aston Martin’s racing heritage, Auto Trader UAE offers a selection of used Aston Martin models in Dubai, including high-performance Vantage, DB11, and DBS Superleggera models. Whether you're looking for a luxury sports car or a track-ready machine, you can find premium used cars in Dubai at Auto Trader UAE.
