It’s a new challenge for Aidan Read in 2021 as he heads stateside to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Turner Motorsport. The young Australian GT racer will be in familiar machinery continuing his relationship with BMW in the M6 GT3 in the ‘GTD’ class, which Turner Motorsport has campaigned successfully over the past years in the IMSA Series, netting a number of victories.
Aidan joins an impressive line-up, teaming up with BMW factory regular Bill Auberlen and highly rated IndyCar and BMW Factory driver Colton Herta. Highly rated Robby Foley, who returns for his third consecutive season with Turner Motorsport, completes the line-up.
The IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup is something of a homecoming for Aidan as while he races under the Australian flag, he is an Australian-American citizen born in Denver, Colorado. This will however be his first racing venture on American soil.
With a background in single-seaters, Prototypes and GT3 in Asia, Aidan moved to Europe in 2019 to continue his GT racing career, competing in the ultra-competitive ADAC GT Masters Series where he secured the runner-up position in the Junior Trophy in his debut season.
With the experience of both the frenetic GT3 Sprint events, as well as longer Endurance competition in Prototypes, Aidan feels he is ready for the next step in his career in a series which includes the legendary Rolex 24 hours of Daytona on its calendar in January.
“I have really enjoyed my time in ADAC GT Masters, it’s been a valuable career step for me,” Aidan stated. “Two-seasons of racing GT3 in Europe, in what was a super-competitive championship, combined with my programmes in Prototype endurance events has made me a stronger overall driver and this is definitely something that will aid me in my move to the USA and the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.
“The difference in approach to the race weekend between Sprint and Endurance competition is significant,” he continued. “The former is focused on very short moments like qualifying, the latter about strong average performance over long distance. With my talented teammates, combined with Turner Motorsport’s experience in series and the BMW M6, I look forward to the new season with confidence.”
His season ahead is aided by both a strong team in Turner Motorsport, as well as an impressive trio of drivers joining him in the Endurance Cup.
Robby and Bill competed with Turner Motorsport in the GTD class in 2019 and 2020, notching up multiple victories and a runner-up position in the Sprint Cup championship. The latter is a former Grand-Am champion and with his vast experience compliments the younger racers in the squad.
Colton is the youngest winner in IndyCar history and at just 20 years of age is the youngest member of the team. Despite his years, like Aidan, he has extensive GT racing under his belt.
“I have watched the Rolex 24 for many years, so to compete there – and also at other iconic US tracks such as Sebring, Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta – will be a great opportunity and also a challenge,” Aidan said. “I can’t wait to get started in Daytona!”
The season gets underway with the ROAR Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday 22 January.
