Aston Martin Supports Young British Talent on World Stage

Aston Martin Racing suppored the top up-and-coming GT drivers that Britain has to boast on July 26-27 at the TOTAL Spa 24 Hours, as part of its ongoing commitment to promoting and developing talent in the sport.

Across its five V12 Vantage GT3s, Aston Martin Racing will have seven young British drivers in the fold at the 24-hour endurance race, one of the largest GT events in the world.

In the Beechdean AMR car, Jonny Adam, who signed as an Aston Martin Racing works driver at the start of 2013, was joined by fellow young driver Daniel Lloyd, as he steps up to a more senior role in the team.

“I’ve been an Aston Martin Racing works driver for two years now and it’s opened up many opportunities to me,” commented Adam. "I was not only involved in the development and set-up of the TUSCC-regulated Vantage GT3 in America last year, but I was a reserve driver at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and competed in two World Endurance Championship races.”

At the start of 2014, Richard Abra was signed to a similar role as Adam had a year ago – an Aston Martin Racing works academy driver – thanks to an impressive season in the British GT Championship last year. This year, in addition to his British GT Championship program, Abra is contesting the Blancpain GT Series alongside fellow young Brit Joe Osborne, who joins him in the MP Motorsport car this weekend.

“Being part of the Aston Martin Racing family allows you to learn more than you would in a regular customer team,” comments Abra. “At Spa this weekend, we have four cars under our roof so the amount I can learn increases four-fold. Driving with Darren Turner is invaluable – that’s where I want to be in the future so I’m carefully observing his approach to the race.”

Also contesting the British GT Championship is former British Touring Car Championship-star Tom Onslow-Cole, who is pleased with his transition into GT racing and is thankful to Aston Martin Racing for its support this year.

“I started racing in the Aston Martin at the start of this year and, although it’s for a customer team, the factory support has been outstanding,” comments Onslow-Cole. “At the British GT Championship round at Spa a fortnight ago, I wasn’t due to be returning for the 24-hour race. But, after a good performance, Aston Martin Racing worked hard to find me a seat and I’m now here about to start the biggest race of my life.”

The latest GT3 customer team to join Aston Martin Racing is Leonard Motorsport. Stuart Leonard has been contesting the Nürburgring’s VLN series as well as the Blancpain GT Series round at Silverstone in preparation for Spa 24 Hours. Alongside Leonard in the team’s Vantage GT3, Michael Meadows will make his Aston Martin Racing debut this weekend.

As well as supporting talent at Spa 24 Hours, Aston Martin Racing is working alongside Beechdean AMR, TF Sport and Motorbase to develop their young drivers in the British GT Championship. Most recently, the team has been working with Jody Fannin, who took a win and a second place finish at last weekend’s Silverstone GT Open race alongside Turner.

“The pool of talented British drivers has never been bigger or stronger, but it’s up to manufacturers to help develop these youngsters to ensure that the best and brightest get the opportunities they deserve,” comments John Gaw, Team Principal at Aston Martin Racing. “We are carefully watching and monitoring these GT drivers as we look to build the future Aston Martin Racing works team – our quest for the next Darren Turner is well underway.”