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]

United Kingdom GR Racing
Founded2011
BaseMilton Keynes, United Kingdom
Team principal(s)Mike Wainwright
Current seriesEuropean Le Mans Series
Former seriesFIA World Endurance Championship
Noted driversUnited Kingdom Ben Barker
Italy Riccardo Pera
Italy Davide Rigon
United Kingdom Mike Wainwright

History

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GR Racing's Porsche 911 RSR-19 at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans

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

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Gulf Racing UK's Porsche 911 RSR at the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans
 
GR Racing's Ferrari 296 GT3 running at Circuit Paul Ricard in ELMS in 2024

24 Hours of Le Mans results

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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

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  1. ^ a b c d "Quick Facts: GR Racing". Porsche Motorsport. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Le Mans, 24 Hours to Win: Gr Racing". Ferrari. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Le Mans Gulf Racing". GT Raceway. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Ferrari 296 LMGT3s at the 24 Hours of Le Mans". Ferrari. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Driver: Michael Wainwright". ELMS European Le Mans Series. 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Driver: Davide Rigon". ELMS European Le Mans Series. 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.