In a significant announcement that reverberated through the paddock, IMSA confirmed on Sunday that Car Blanche will be the first entry officially committed to the 2027 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD Pro) class, sportsamo.com reports. The ambitious team is set to campaign a full-season program with a formidable Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO, signaling a bold statement of intent for the coming years. This early declaration underscores Car Blanche’s serious championship aspirations and readiness to contend at the pinnacle of North American GT endurance racing.
The #68 Aston Martin, distinguished by its striking all-white livery – a visual representation of the team’s "carte blanche" approach to performance – will be piloted by an elite pairing of Aston Martin Racing factory drivers: Valentin Hasse Clot and Marco Sorensen. This duo brings a blend of raw speed, tactical prowess, and deep brand familiarity, promising a potent force on track. Their combined experience, particularly Sorensen’s pedigree in global endurance racing, positions Car Blanche as an immediate contender for the highly competitive GTD Pro title.
Car Blanche’s journey to this full-season commitment has been a rapid ascent, marked by strategic expansion and impressive on-track results. The team’s roots trace back to mid-2026 when YRB Racing acquired the assets of the established Van der Steur Racing outfit. Under the leadership of Team Principal Christopher Deely, the rebranded Car Blanche quickly made its presence felt within IMSA circles. The "mid-2026 expansion" was a calculated move, allowing the nascent team to build crucial experience across different classes before committing to a full-fledged program. This adaptive strategy, prioritizing learning and development, proved instrumental in their accelerated progress and paved the way for the 2027 announcement.
The immediate impact of Car Blanche was undeniable. In its initial foray into the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) class, the squad defied expectations by securing back-to-back podium finishes. Their debut at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, a demanding endurance race known for its technical layout and high-speed sections, saw them claim a remarkable third place. This was swiftly followed by another podium at Road America, a legendary circuit celebrated for its sweeping corners and long straights, further cementing their capabilities. These early successes were a testament to the team’s meticulous preparation, strategic race management, and the raw talent of their driver lineup, which for these GTD outings included Valentin Hasse Clot, Marius Fossard, and Trenton Estep. The ability to extract maximum performance from the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO right out of the gate signaled that Car Blanche was far from a mere participant; they were a serious competitor.
Following these impressive GTD showings, Car Blanche executed a planned pivot to the even more fiercely contested GTD Pro category at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. This move, while sacrificing potential championship points in GTD, was a clear demonstration of Deely’s long-term vision: to compete against the best, and to do so quickly. The transition saw Hasse Clot first paired with Australian GT ace Scott Andrews, before the highly anticipated arrival of Marco Sorensen at VIRginia International Raceway. At VIR, a challenging circuit known for its elevation changes and fast corners, the Hasse Clot-Sorensen duo notched a best class finish of fourth. While not a podium, this result against a grid stacked with factory-backed entries and seasoned professionals was a strong indicator of their potential and the team’s rapid adaptation to the higher demands of GTD Pro.
Valentin Hasse Clot, reflecting on the team’s rapid rise, emphasized the importance of their immediate competitiveness. "A fast car is a nice car, and we still have scored two podiums on Car Blanche’s debut," Hasse Clot stated ahead of the Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "If we’d have been on the back of the grid, nobody would have noticed Car Blanche. But the fact we’ve been competitive has made it stand out as well." This sentiment highlights a critical truth in motorsport: performance is the ultimate marketing tool. The team’s distinctive all-white livery, initially a blank canvas, has become synonymous with speed and ambition, drawing eyes and building anticipation for their future endeavors.
For Hasse Clot, the full-time step up to GTD Pro has been a long-cherished ambition shared with Team Principal Christopher Deely. "For two or three years, our goal was to one day reach GTD Pro," Hasse Clot explained. "After the switch and the change, we decided to go as soon as possible to learn. We could have waited for the end of the year, but it’s good testing. At some point you need to go, so why not now?" This "why not now" philosophy encapsulates the team’s aggressive yet calculated approach. While Hasse Clot’s 2026 driver championship points were impacted by a missed round at Laguna Seca due to his commitments in the European Le Mans Series, and the mid-season class shift, these experiences are seen as invaluable preparation for the challenges ahead.
The partnership with Marco Sorensen is particularly noteworthy. Sorensen, a revered Aston Martin Racing factory driver, brings an unparalleled level of experience and success to Car Blanche. His resumé boasts class victories at two of the world’s most prestigious endurance races: the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Furthermore, his involvement in Aston Martin’s top-tier Valkyrie GTP/Hypercar program underscores his status as a key asset for the British marque. Sorensen’s deep familiarity with Hasse Clot, having known him for nearly a decade, ensures an instant chemistry and mutual understanding within the cockpit – a crucial advantage in the demanding world of endurance racing where seamless driver changes and shared feedback are paramount. This pre-existing rapport can significantly accelerate the team’s development and competitive edge.
The Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO itself is a proven weapon in global GT racing. A refinement of the already successful Vantage GT3, the EVO variant features aerodynamic and mechanical enhancements designed to optimize performance and driveability across a wide range of circuits and conditions. Its robust V8 engine, balanced chassis, and reliable components make it a formidable platform for GTD Pro. The factory support that comes with having Aston Martin factory drivers like Hasse Clot and Sorensen further bolsters Car Blanche’s technical capabilities, providing access to engineering expertise, parts, and crucial data that smaller, independent teams might lack. This comprehensive package positions them strongly against other manufacturer-backed efforts in the class.
Looking ahead to 2027, the objectives for Car Blanche are unequivocally set on championship glory. "We’ll be chasing the GTD Pro championship next," affirmed Christopher Deely. "We want to have the strongest effort possible, whatever that means." This ambition reflects the fierce competition within GTD Pro, a class populated by global automotive giants and their professional driver lineups. Teams like Corvette Racing, Porsche Penske Motorsport, Mercedes-AMG, Lexus, and BMW M Team RLL typically field multi-car, factory-supported entries, making consistent podium finishes and championship contention a monumental task. To succeed, Car Blanche will need not only raw speed but also flawless execution in strategy, pit stops, and reliability over the course of an entire season, including the grueling endurance classics like Daytona, Sebring, and Petit Le Mans.
The fact that Car Blanche is the very first team to confirm its 2027 plans for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship speaks volumes about their organizational preparedness and long-term vision. This early commitment allows them ample time to fine-tune their operations, secure additional partnerships, and meticulously prepare for the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona. While the official entry deadline for the 2027 Rolex 24 is not until December 9, 2026, Car Blanche’s proactive announcement sets a high bar and signals a vibrant future for the GTD Pro category. As other teams are expected to confirm their entries in the coming months, Car Blanche has already laid down a marker, establishing itself as a team to watch and a serious contender for the coveted GTD Pro championship crown. The stage is set for an exhilarating 2027 season, with Car Blanche leading the charge into a new era of GT racing excellence.
