AO Racing
Autumn Oaks Racing, doing business as AO Racing, is an American sports car racing team based in St. Charles, Illinois, established in 2022 by American software developer and entrepreneur P. J. Hyett and American racing driver Gunnar Jeannette.[1] The team currently competes in the LMP2 and the GTD Pro classes of the IMSA SportsCar Championship and in LMP2 in the European Le Mans Series.[2][3][4] AO Racing have previously competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship in a collaborative effort with Project 1 Motorsport. The team won the 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship in the GTD Pro class with Porsche factory driver Laurin Heinrich.[5]
Background
AO Racing was founded in 2022 by GitHub co-founder and technology entrepreneur P. J. Hyett, and American race car driver Gunnar Jeannette. Hyett and Jeannette met through vintage racing and became friends.[1] In September 2022, they made the decision to form an auto racing team to compete in the IMSA SportsCar Championship.[6] The name AO is an abbreviation for Autumn Oaks, which is the name of Hyett's car collection.[7]
Branding approach
In lieu of the conventional approach focusing on sponsor exposure and brand prestige, AO Racing promotes a playful and expressive brand personality, utilizing a dedicated canon[8], faux creature designs, and mascots with a large focus on fan engagement, a strategy which has allowed them to grow into a fan favorite team in sports car racing.[9][7] Hyett credits Jeannette for originating AO Racing's brand approach, stating that he had come up with the idea based on the public reception towards Hyett's race helmet.[10] His race helmet includes a Tyrannosaurus rex and a unicorn on either side, a design he began using at the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona inspired by his son and daughter.[11][12]
As of 2026, the team has three mascots, each represented on the cars that they use. "Rexy", a green male Tyrannosaurus rex, was created by designer T. J. Harley and first unveiled at the 2023 12 Hours of Sebring.[13] "Roxy", a pink female Tyrannosaurus rex, was introduced five months later at the 2023 Michelin GT Challenge at VIR after the Rexy design was temporarily moved to AO Racing and Project 1 Motorsport's Porsche 911 RSR-19 for the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship.[14] Roxy has since reappeared as an occasional substitute to the team's full-time Rexy design in select races, which the team describe as Rexy "taking a vacation".[14][15] "Spike", a purple and orange dragon, was introduced following the team's expansion into the LMP2 class for the 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship.[16] AO Racing describe Rexy and Roxy as siblings and Spike as their cousin.[17][18]
AO Racing sometimes take creative liberties with their creature designs, including a Halloween-themed skeleton livery of both Rexy and Spike,[19] and a version of Spike featuring gold scales celebrating their 2025 IMSA SportsCar Championship LMP2 title.[20] Rexy and Roxy are also altered to include golden teeth each time the team secures a race win.[21]
Racing history
European Le Mans Series
On November 29, 2023, the team announced that they would field an LMP2 entry in the 2024 European Le Mans Series season in partnership with TF Sport. The team signed Louis Delétraz, Jonny Edgar, and former Formula One driver Robert Kubica to drive the car full-time.[22] Polish oil company Orlen would sponsor the car for the full season and the team would compete as Orlen Team AO by TF. The team would go on to win the LMP2 championship ahead of the No. 43 Inter Europol Competition entry.
The team returned to the European Le Mans Series for a second season in 2025, once again partnering with TF Sport.[23] LMP2 class champion Louis Delétraz remained with the team, with team owner P. J. Hyett entering the series for the first time.[24] The team would be competing in the LMP2 Pro-Am category as Hyett is an FIA Bronze driver.
FIA World Endurance Championship
In partnership with Project 1 Motorsport, AO Racing fielded a Porsche 911 RSR-19 in the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship. At the third round of the series in the 2023 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the team were forced to withdraw following an accident suffered by P. J. Hyett in qualifying, evaluating that the chassis of their car was too damaged to race.[25] The joint effort team were unable to collect high scoring results, which meant they finished 11th out of 14 teams in the LM GTE class standings. AO Racing effectively left the series after Project 1 Motorsport filed for bankruptcy in 2024.[26]
IMSA SportsCar Championship
AO Racing completed their sports car racing debut at the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona, entering a Porsche 911 (992) GT3 R driven by Harry Tincknell, Sebastian Priaulx, and team founders Gunnar Jeannette and P. J. Hyett. The team sported a tribute livery based on the Porsche 935 from Henn's Swap Shop Racing that won the race 40 years prior.[27] AO Racing experienced a difficult race, finishing 19 laps down on the GTD class winner.
At the 2023 12 Hours of Sebring, AO Racing unveiled "Rexy" for the first time as their new full-season livery, a design which would also become the basis for the team's bold brand personality. The livery, which received widespread fanfare for its unconventional theme in contrast to other competitors, was inspired by P. J. Hyett's two children, who had both influenced his helmet design which included a Tyrannosaurus rex and a unicorn.[13] The race would prove difficult, finishing the race 16 laps down on the GTD leader. They would spend the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship in the midfield, completing the season 13th in class.
Entering the 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship, the team announced that they would field a second car competing in the LMP2 class. The team's third mascot, "Spike", was revealed for the first time in the announcement, with AO Racing's new Oreca 07 wearing the purple and orange dragon themed livery.[16] The team signed Matthew Brabham and Paul-Loup Chatin to partner P. J. Hyett for the full season in the LMP2 entry, with Alex Quinn joining the team for the Michelin Endurance Cup.[28] The GTD Pro entry would see Michael Christensen, Laurin Heinrich, and Sebastian Priaulx drive the team's Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) for the full season. At the third round of the 2024 season at Laguna Seca, the team scored their first win as an organization in the GTD Pro class with Heinrich and Priaulx behind the wheel of "Rexy".[29] After two further wins at Detroit and Indianapolis, the team, and subsequently Laurin Heinrich, became GTD Pro champions by four points at the last race at Road Atlanta.[5]
The team returned for the 2025 season once again competing in the LMP2 and GTD Pro classes.[30] 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship GTD Pro champion Laurin Heinrich remained with the team to drive the No. 77 Porsche 911 GT3 R. Joining him was Klaus Bachler, who drove the No. 77 Virginia International Raceway in 2024, and Belgian racer Alessio Picariello.[31] For the No. 99 LMP2 entry, the team signed Dane Cameron, Jonny Edgar, and Christian Rasmussen to partner team owner P. J. Hyett.[32] The No. 99 LMP2 car won the title in its class in the 2025 IMSA SportsCar Championship at the 2025 Petit Le Mans season finale.[33]
Racing record
24 Hours of Le Mans results
| Year | Entrant | No. | Car | Drivers | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Project 1 – AO | 56 | Porsche 911 RSR-19 | Matteo Cairoli P. J. Hyett Gunnar Jeannette |
LMGTE Am | 309 | 35th | 7th |
| 2024 | AO by TF | 14 | Oreca 07-Gibson | Louis Delétraz P. J. Hyett Alex Quinn |
LMP2 (Pro-Am) | 295 | 20th | 2nd |
| 2025 | AO by TF | 199 | Oreca 07-Gibson | Dane Cameron Louis Delétraz P. J. Hyett |
LMP2 (Pro-Am) | 366 | 20th | 1st |
| 2026 | AO by TF | 99 | Oreca 07-Gibson | Dane Cameron Louis Delétraz P. J. Hyett |
LMP2 (Pro-Am) | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Complete European Le Mans Series results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Class | No | Chassis | Engine | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Pos. | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | CAT | LEC | IMO | SPA | MUG | POR | ||||||||
| Orlen Team AO by TF | LMP2 | 14 | Oreca 07 | Gibson GK-428 4.2 L V8 | Louis Delétraz Jonny Edgar Robert Kubica |
7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1st | 93 | |
| 2025 | CAT | LEC | IMO | SPA | SIL | POR | ||||||||
| AO by TF | LMP2 Pro-Am | 99 | Oreca 07 | Gibson GK-428 4.2 L V8 | Dane Cameron Louis Delétraz P. J. Hyett |
8 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1st | 100 | |
Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Class | No | Chassis | Engine | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Pos. | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | SEB | POR | SPA | LMN | MON | FUJ | BHR | ||||||||
| Project 1 - AO | LMGTE Am | 56 | Porsche 911 RSR-19 | Porsche M97/80 4.2 L Flat-6 | Matteo Cairoli P. J. Hyett Gunnar Jeannette Guilherme Oliveira Miguel Ramos Efrin Castro |
12 | 6 | WD | 7 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 11th | 36 | |
Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
References
- ^ a b "Jeannette, Hyett launching AO Racing Porsche GTD effort for 2023". RACER. September 28, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ "WEATHERTECH SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP AO RACING NO. 77". imsa.com. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "WEATHERTECH SPORTSCAR CHAMPIONSHIP AO RACING NO. 99". imsa.com. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "Robert Kubica with Orlen Team AO by TF in 2024". Endurance Info. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ a b Olson, Jefff. "AO Racing Porsche Hangs on for GTD PRO Title as Iron Lynx Lamborghini Wins Race".
- ^ "About". AO Racing. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Smith, Steven Cole (January 28, 2025). "How to stand out in IMSA? AO Racing has Rexy and Spike". grassrootsmotorsports.com. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ "🦖 In the AO Verse, milestones don't replace Rexy, but instead split the timeline. Each version lives on, while the current Rexy keeps writing the next chapter. 👀". Instagram. February 27, 2026. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ^ Kallmann, Dave. "Dinosaurs and a dragon are making sports car racing more fun. They'll compete at Road America this weekend". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Staff, SPEED SPORT (February 22, 2024). "Behind IMSA's Dinosaur And Dragon Team". SPEED SPORT. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Chemello, Lalita (August 23, 2024). "The origin of the Porsche 911 GT3 Rawr, IMSA's wildest livery". Motorsport. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Oreovicz, John (February 22, 2024). "Dinosaur and Dragon Team Quickly Making a Name for Itself". IMSA. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ a b Dagys, John (March 13, 2023). "AO Racing Unveils T-Rex Livery for Full Season". Sportscar365. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ a b Dagys, John (August 15, 2023). "AO Porsche in Alternative 'Roxy' Livery for VIR – Sportscar365". Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ Brouillet, Kelly (July 16, 2024). "Roxy Returns: Rexy's Prehistoric Pink Sister to Take Over at Road America". AO Racing. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ a b Goodwin, Graham (January 9, 2024). "AO Racing Introduce 'Spike' The LMP2 Dragon!". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ O'Connell, RJ (October 8, 2025). "AO Racing confirms Rexy and Spike's return for 2026 IMSA campaigns". RACER. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ "In the last of our character introductions, meet Roxy, Rexy's sister and Spike's cousin!". www.instagram.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Beaver, Victoria (October 2, 2025). "AO Racing's Spooky 'Skeleton' Liveries for Rexy and Spike Bring the Boo to the 2025 Petit Le Mans". Road & Track. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ Dagys, John (January 6, 2026). "AO Racing to Run Gold-Liveried 'Spike' Oreca LMP2 at Daytona". Sportscar365. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ "AO Racing's Spooky 'Skeleton' Liveries for Rexy and Spike Bring the Boo to the 2025 Petit Le Mans". Road & Track. October 2, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
- ^ "Robert Kubica with Orlen Team AO by TF in 2024". Endurance Info. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ "Record 44 Car Grid for 2025 European Le Mans Series Revealed". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ "ELMS - Louis Delétraz poursuit avec AO by TF en 2025". Endurance Info (in French). Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (April 28, 2023). "Project 1-AO Withdraws from Spa After Hyett Accident". Sportscar365. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ Klein, Jamie (February 27, 2024). "Project 1 Motorsport Files for Bankruptcy". Sportscar365. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ Malsher-Lopez, David (January 17, 2023). "AO Racing marks IMSA debut with tribute livery". Motorsport. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
- ^ "AO Racing expands to LMP2 with Hyett and Chatin; Priaulx and Heinrich in for GTD PRO". RACER. November 13, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ "Rexy roars to AO Racing's least-likely maiden win at Laguna Seca". RACER. May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ "AO Racing prolonge son double programme LMP2 / GTD PRO en 2025". Endurance Info (in French). Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ Dagys, John (December 5, 2024). "Bachler to Join Heinrich for AO's GTD Pro Title Defense – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ "Dane Cameron Signs With AO Racing For LMP2 Campaign". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ Dagys, John (October 11, 2025). "AXR Controls Petit Le Mans; Jaminet, Campbell Win GTP Title". Sportscar365. Retrieved February 13, 2026.