GR Racing

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'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

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

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

1. "Quick Facts: GR Racing". Porsche Motorsport. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
2. "Le Mans, 24 Hours to Win: Gr Racing". Ferrari. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
3. "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.