SEBRING, Fla., Mar. 13-15 — The first thing you notice is the sound. Even before you see what’s coming, you hear that distinctive 12-cylinder, normally-aspirated, musical sound.

It’s the Aston Martin V12 that powers the all-new Aston Martin Valkyrie in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC). The car made its U.S. competition debut at this year’s Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, in the IWSC’s GT Prototype (GTP) class.

Considering how difficult, demanding and bumpy the Sebring airport circuit is, the Heart of Racing (THOR) team did an outstanding job, with drivers Ross Gunn, Roman De Angelis and Alex Riberas bringing the car home in a very respectable 9th place overall, only two laps in arrears of the winning Porsche 963 of Penske Racing.

And what was it like to be behind the wheel? De Angelis said he experienced “a roller coaster of emotions, to say the least,” and added the 12 Hours “was one of the hardest races I’ve had personally.

“It was super physical out there. I’m super proud of the Heart of Racing and Aston Martin for getting the Valkyrie across the line.”

Ross Gunn also praised the support crew. “It was an absolutely awesome job by everybody on the team to get to the end of what was a good race and was probably the toughest race in the world,” he said.

“We overcame a few obstacles during the race and dealt with those really well. Alex and Roman drove solid stints and it was just a case of keeping a clean nose, which we did. No contact. No issues. And the Valkyrie performed really well throughout the entire race.”

The debut of the car was highly anticipated by everyone at Sebring, and there was even a large crowd on hand in the paddock when the car was unloaded for the first time on the Wednesday before the race.

Making your debut with any car at Sebring is a risk, for the track is known worldwide as literally the toughest test for man and machine. It is said that running 12 hours at Sebring is like running 24 hours anywhere else, and Sebring once again lived up to its reputation. Of the 56 cars in total that took the green flag at the start of the race, only 45 finished.

The Valkyrie, however, was one of those finishers — and THOR and Aston Martin Racing gathered valuable information about their new car that will be used to step up speed and make other improvements. The team intends to race the Valkyrie in all of the remaining IWSC races this season — sprint races included, not just the endurance rounds as many originally speculated. Although Aston Martin’s exploits are well known in the IWSC’s GTD and GTD Pro classes, the marque has not been represented in GTP until now.

A fan favorite from the first practice session onward, the Valkyrie entertained the large crowd at Sebring with its outstanding sound and sleek appearance. Easily it was the belle of the ball and most attractive car in the GTP field.

Said third driver Alex Riberas, “The Valkyrie exceeded all of our expectations. To be able to finish this race and to finish in the top ten is the best way we could start the season and this new adventure in the GTP category. I’m so very proud of everybody and already looking forward to the next one.”

The “next one” was the IWSC sprint race in Long Beach, Calif., on April 12th — where, following on the result at Sebring, the Valkyrie finished 8th overall in the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, with season-long THOR drivers Gunn and De Angelis sharing driving duties.

From one of the longest races of the season to the shortest, the Valkyrie once again proved its potential. See the Aston Martin Racing press release on page 4 for more details about Long Beach, and look for THOR to move up the grid as the season progresses.

We hasten to add that the Heart of Racing still has a presence in IWSC’s GTD.

The #27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo scored its second podium in a row at Sebring. It looked like drivers Casper Stevenson and Tom Gamble would make it three for three at Long Beach, with Gamble qualifying 3rd and moving up to 2nd before handing over to Stevenson.

Unfortunately, contact with a passing GTP car 15 minutes later saw the Vantage lose several positions. Stevenson brought the car home 9th in class, but still able to gather championship points for finishing in the top ten.

Next up, the Monterey Sportscar Championship at Laguna Seca May 9-12.