Andy Lee is a professional race car driver and coach and competes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship as well as the SRO Americas GT Championship with his teammate Elias Sabo. During the 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Andy took the time to give us a walkaround on the IMSA GT3/GTD Aston Martin Vantage race car and then gave us another walkaround on the SRO GT4 AM Vantage. During the walkarounds he talks about the differences and key features of each race car. The photos below are put in order so you can follow along and see some of the key features of each race car. Enjoy!

NOTE: Please see previous podcast for overall photos of the two different cars on track. The IMSA Roar Before the 24 test, and the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona are coming up on January 17-19 and January 22-26, 2025. 



By Larry Mason

Copyright © 2024 Larry Mason

Andy Lee is happy to be living the dream as a professional race car driver and coach and having the opportunity to be racing some of the coolest cars on the planet.

The front end of the Aston Martin IMSA GT3/GTD race car takes advantage of extra-wide custom bodywork for aerodynamics and to be able to cover the wide front tires.


The dive planes and front splitter are shown a little closer in this photo. Also notice the massive brake rotors. Currently the car is on the set-up scales to dial in the suspension for Long Beach.


Shown here on pit lane, the air jack lifts the car off the ground for tire changes. Notice the exhaust outlet on the right front fender just behind the tire. This is one of Lee’s favorite features.


Andy Lee’s “office” for the weekend that he shares with Elias Sabo. Here you can see the steering wheel with multiple controls as well as a bunch of camo sandbags being used to replicate the driver’s weight while it’s on the scales.


Huge rear wing, fenders and diffuser highlight the rear aerodynamics and style of this hot rod.


The rear fender louvers not only add a cool styling feature, but undoubtedly aid the aerodynamics of the air flowing out of the rear tire/wheel wells.


It was so small that I didn’t see the rear Gurney flap on the rear wing. Here from the side you can see that it has one but it’s very small.


Andy Lee is comfortable in his high-tech surroundings in the race car, the pit area, or even explaining the differences between different classes of racing.


The Aston Martin Vantage GT4 car (shown here on jack stands) doesn’t have the giant fender flares, front splitter/dive planes and rear wing like the GT3 version.


The roll cage and fuel cell are clearly visible in this photo.


The cockpit in the GT4 car is a much simpler design even though there are still plenty of buttons on the steering wheel.


In this view you can see a closer look at the front splitter and dive planes.


The rear diffuser is a stock panel and as you can see the exhaust exits out of the rear valence.


Interview and photos Copyright © by Larry Mason (unless otherwise noted)