“You know the story about how you make a small fortune in racing,” said Founder and Owner of The Racers Group, Kevin Buckler. “Start with a big one. It’s the same in the wine business and what kind of knucklehead would get into both?”
The GT Sonoma protected by Crowdstrike weekend will have a local and familiar name on track in more ways than one. Buckler and The Racers Group, dubbed TRG, take to track with the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS series with the iconic No. 007 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3. Behind the wheel, veteran TRG driver Derek DeBoer and Aston Martin Racing Team Professional Driver Ross Gunn. In addition, TRG introduces Tim Savage to the Pirelli GT4 powered by AWS series with the No. 009 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3.
Gracing the car livery is the Buckler-led local company Adobe Road Winery. The winery is one of a few that speckle the hills of Sonoma County, home of Sonoma Raceway. Since 2002 Adobe Road has produced more than 70 wines that have earned a 90 or above rating by Wine Spectator, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, and Wine Enthusiast. The wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Malbec, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Rosé.
Well known to the world of wine, Buckler is well known as a winner in racing. Along with winemaker Garret Martin, Buckler brought his monikers of motorsport and wine in 2019 with Adobe Road’s The Racing Series. It’s a lifestyle brand born on the racetrack, not in the boardroom, and known for its clear packaging that nods to Buckler's sports car history.
While the motorsport community celebrates TRG as a mainstay; the Sonoma locals celebrate Adobe Road as a cutting-edge boutique brand. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company set up the world's first mobile winery and racing paddock. Today, the beautiful 40 ft trailer follows TRG to racetracks to entertain sponsors and guests alike. The opportunity to create such a scenario was birthed from knowing the ins and outs of transporting a race car.
“From transporting delicate grapes at the right temperature to our facilities from various growing regions in California to moving race cars around the country and world, we knew how to do it,” said Buckler.
With two decades that include seven series championships and more than 100 wins worldwide Buckler and TRG are ready to get back to work in their own backyard. The team will host delegates of the racing world at Adobe Road and aim to kick off the 2023 Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS season with a win or two.
“Our passion for racing, especially within the highly respected GT3 series, keeps us striving for more and more,” Buckler said. “We are super excited to put this opportunity together for our 10-year veteran team driver, Derek Deboer, and once again, teaming with Aston Martin gives us an opportunity to push our limits even further – we couldn’t be more excited. The brand is powerful, and the company has grown, as have we, and I feel like this partnership is almost limitless.”
TRG and SRO Motorsports America bring Buckler’s worlds of fast cars and fine wine together from Thursday, March 30 to Sunday, April 2 with the No. 007 and No. 009 Adobe Road Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 on track. Watch the races live by following the GT World YouTube page.