Thursday, April 14, 2011

Aston Martin Racing Announces New Vantage GT3











Aston Martin Racing has announced the new Vantage GT3 race car, which is based on the V12 Vantage road car for competition in 2012. The new Vantage GT3 joins the Vantage GT2, GT4, DBR9 GT1 and the AMR-One LMP1 to create the largest and most comprehensive range of Aston Martin race cars to date. The Vantage GT3 replaces the DBRS9, launched in 2006 at Le Mans.

“So far, 26 total DBRS9 chassis have been built and raced to multiple victories in national and international series across the world,” said Sonny Morgan, dealer principal at John Eagle European’s Aston Martin of Austin. “Most recently, a DBRS9 won the Australian GT at Mount Panorama in October last year and achieved a podium finish at Zolder last week.”

Designed to meet FIA regs, the Vantage GT3 will be built on the Vantage aluminum VH architecture with a lightweight dry-sump 6.0 liter V12 engine, based on the V12 Vantage road car. The new car will have a race semi-automatic paddle shift Xtrac gearbox and the latest race-developed ABS and traction control systems, optimized for the Vantage GT3.

Aston Martin Racing Managing Director John Gaw added, “The DBRS9 has been a very successful GT3 racing car and despite being more than six years old, is still competitive today.

“However, the competition has moved on and we needed to create a new car that combines our six years’ experience in this category with the latest race technology to continue Aston Martin’s success in GT3 for many years to come.”

Aston Martin Racing has set a target weight of about 2,755 pounds (1,250kg) and engine performance figures of more than 600bhp. The first car will be completed in July 2011 and will undertake an extensive test and development program during the rest of the year. Ten customer cars will then be built ready for delivery for the start of the 2012 season.

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Aston Martin of Austin
Austin, TX 78750
512-401-4604