Esses Racing and Mercedes-Benz of Austin announced today a new partnership to run a partial season in the 2023 Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS championship.
Based in the town of Buda, just a short drive from Austin, Texas and Circuit of the Americas, Esses Racing has seen success with multiple championships in the Radical North American Championship and the Yokohama Drivers’ Cup, as well as competing in select GT Celebration events.
“Esses Racing has always had the goal of competing in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS Championship,” stated Dave O’Neill, General Manager and Partner of Esses Racing . “We are very excited to partner with Mercedes-Benz of Austin with Will Hardeman. We have been testing quite a bit at our home track, Circuit of the Americas, and we’re looking to showcase Esses Racing on an international stage against the veteran teams in the championship.”
Hardeman, a Managing Partner of Mercedes-Benz of Austin, will drive the team’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo alongside a second driver to be named later. Hardeman previously raced in GT World Challenge America’s predecessor series, Pirelli World Challenge, and also has experience in Porsche Carrera Cup, IMSA, and GT World Challenge Asia series.
“I’m stoked to return to SRO in the GT3 class after a hiatus from professional racing,” remarked Hardeman. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the Mercedes GT3 and the Esses outfit. Dave O’Neill and the Esses team bring a breath of experience to the table ranging from their time in Formula One to American GT racing, so I have confidence they can get the Mercedes GT3 and myself into the hunt in order to show well in SRO.”
Esses Racing are the second newcomers to GT World Challenge America that have declared their entry this off-season, following MDK Motorsports, who have already committed to a full season with a new Porsche 911 GT3-R driven by Trenton Estep and Seth Lucas.
