Photo : Frederic GAUDIN (ACO) - Frederic GAUDIN (ACO)

 

The DBR9, launched in 2004 and based on the iconic DB9 sports car, proved to be extremely successful. It came third in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2005. In its second year at Le Mans it took a step further up the podium and in 2007 and 2008 it took the GT1 class-win. David Richards, Aston Martin Racing Charmian, says: “Aston Martin Racing was established to reinforce the motorsport DNA of our products by racing production based GT cars at the highest level of the sport and support our customer teams around the world. Many will remember the David Brown era of Aston Martin and that famous win at Le Mans in 1959. It was the introduction of the DB9 in 2004 that gave us the opportunity to return to GT racing at a time when the sport was experiencing a major resurgence.”

After an excellent fourth overall in 2009 by the LM P1 DBR1-2 in 2009, the team decided to return to its Aston Martin’s racing heritage and race cars based on its road cars. “From a marketing point of view, there is a much stronger link between GT racing and our product range,” explains Head of Motorsport at Aston Martin David King. “The Vantage was the obvious choice; it was designed to offer optimum performance, handling and comfort on the road so it was ideal for developing into a GT car.”

“The FIA WEC forms the centrepiece of our motorsport campaign,” adds John Gaw, Team Principal at Aston Martin Racing. “The Vantage GTE, our WEC competitor, has been extremely successful. Of the last twelve WEC six-hour races, a Vantage GTE has been on the podium every time with a class win at six of last year’s seven races. GT racing is very much the future of Aston Martin Racing.”

This year Aston Martin Racing will contest the FIA WEC with four Gulf-liveried Vantage GTEs, plus a six-car entry at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the 6 Hours of Silverstone be competed on Sunday April 20.

(Based upon Aston Martin Racing press information)

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SUNDAY JUNE 23, 2013, RACE. Aston Martin Racing claimed a podium finish in the LM GTE Pro class at the end of the edition marking the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours.
 

INFORMATION
24 HOURS OF LE MANS - June 14/15 2014

Tickets - Entry List - Program

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