Back It Up Aston Martin

John Eagle Aston Martin of Austin now offers retrofitting reverse camera kits on select DB9, Rapide and Vantage models.

The reverse camera kit comes with a precision-made 'zero-lux' camera and 'fish-eye' lens with 170° horizontal viewing angle mounted discreetly above the Aston Martin’s rear number plate. When in reverse, a clear, wide-angle image is displayed on the navigation screen. The screen then reverts to normal as you select Park, Neutral or Drive.

The reversing kit has been designed to be quick and easily integrated with Aston Martin’s current electronic components, so it’s an easy installation process.

Contact Aston Martin of Austin at (512-401-2663) or visit www.astonmartinofaustin.com to see if the kit works on your car model.

More information about the retrofit camera kit can be found here at Aston Martin. Additional information about John Eagle European can be found here.

Aston Martin reveals real-life Gran Turismo DP-100 at Pebble Beach

This week, Aston Martin revealed a real-life version of its 800-horsepowerGran Turismo DP-100 at Pebble Beach in Carmel, California.

The car was originally designed for the successful racing game

Gran Turismo. Kazunori Yamauchi, creator and designer of the game, called it “the future of Aston Martin.” Gamers began downloading the virtual car in July of this year.

“Many of the design cues visible in the DP-100, such as the light blade rear lamps, could also feed through into future sports cars that we’ll launch in the offline world,” said Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s lead designer. “The importance of this project should not be underestimated.”

This V12 coupe concept won’t make it to the production lines, but it does foreshadow what to expect from Aston Martin in years to come. Elements like the car’s black wing-like cooling vents and deconstructed LED tail lights are features that will likely pave the road for future cars.

At the Aston Martin Villa near Carmel, California where the real-life version of the DP-100 was showed, Reichman talked more about his inspiration for the vehicle which comes from nature, sound and light to perfect the sleek design.

TRG-AMR Takes GT Daytona Pole Position at Road America

TRG-AMR North America driver James Davison took the GT Daytona class pole position at Road America today, piloting the No. 007 CarryOn.com/B+ Foundation/Jetset Magazine/Eagle Tech Systems /Sideskinz/Adobe Road Winery/Royal Purple Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3. This is Davison's first Total Pole Award and IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship pole position in his career, as well as the first TRG-AMR pole in the new IMSA TUSC series with a lap of 2:09.079 (112.898 mph).

“We nailed the pole on lap one,” said Davison. “Strategy came into that a little bit. We sat in the pits and got a clear track built up ahead of us. On the out lap out we built up the tire temperature to capitalize on the peak of the tire on the first lap. I just hit all my marks. No one else really had a chance to get us back there. Execution is what really secured the pole for us today. The car handled better in a qualifying session then it has all year and it's great to get the result we've been chasing all season.”

Team Owner Kevin Buckler: "This is something we've been fighting for all year - both Al and James have been awesome behind the wheel and I really felt like this was our weekend. Our team and engineer did a great job on the setup. This track is perfectly suited for the strengths of our Aston Martin and this is the first time this has really happened for us. Road America is such a fast and totally precise, technical track. I always tell people you have to wind it up like a rubber band and every lap gets better and better. If you want to get the perfect lap... you have to absolutely commit... continue to improve, advance, and nail every corner like James did. This puts the 007 in a great position tomorrow that I know both drivers will capitalize and push for the win. This is the weekend we have been waiting for."

Be sure to check out the LIVE race on FOX Sports 1 on Sunday, August 10th at 5:30 PM and the replay of the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Race on August 17th.

Cars from Clay

Aston Martin is recruiting clay sculpting trainees to design its new future supercars. The brand, which is favored by James Bond and headquartered in Gaydon, Warwickshire, uses clay models as part of the design process.

“Clay sculpting remains an integral part of the design process at Aston Martin and is vital in helping the design team visualize future models,” said Marek Reichman, design director. “This is an incredible opportunity for talented and ambitious individuals to join one of the world’s most respected automotive design teams and work on new cars that, I’m sure, will be admired around the world.”

The company said that successful recruits would be trained to create full-sized clay versions of its cars by the end of their training. Skilled clay sculptors have the ability to turn 2D sketches into 3D life-sized models.

“We’re looking for creative young people with a keen interest in the motor industry and have a passion for all things Aston Martin,” said Reichman.

The apprenticeship program is delivered in-house partnered with Walsall College through formal learning at the company’s Technical Academy at Gaydon. The next two recruits will take part in a four-year apprenticeship program starting next January with Aston Martin’s design department.