If you're the CEO of a high-performance sports car company, wouldn't it be a great idea to have a firm understating and appreciation for racing? Absolutely, and Aston Martin CEO Dr. Andy Palmer certainly. At this very moment, Palmer and his teammates have just returned to the UK from Texas where they took part in the Hankook 24 Hours of Circuit of the Americas' in the SP3 class. Palmer was joined by Radio Le Mans commentator Joh Hindhaugh, Great British Bake off star Paul Hollywood and the 2017 Nurburgring 24-Hour Class winner Peter Cate.

Their chariot: a Vantage GT8. Not only did the team complete the tough endurance race, but also scored a second place finish. Palmer personally trained for the race for an entire year by taking part in several Aston Martin Owners Club racing events throughout the UK, including at Silverstone. Despite some vehicle damage due to contact with a competitor and another race-related mechanical issue, the pit crew enabled the drivers to make up for a 15-lap deficit, which was soon reduced to 5 laps. They fought hard for that second-place finish.

"That was marvelous. To take second place was great and it could have been first if we hadn't suffered damage to the car," Palmer stated as the champagne bottles opened. "To get the deficit back down to five laps after our earlier issues wasn't down to just one driver, but to the whole team and I think that encapsulates the spirit of Aston Martin and racing in general." Aston Martin, your President and CEO is awesome, but you obviously knew that already.