TRG-AMR and Aston Martin Racing launch factory supported race program in North America

To continue the growth of its global customer base, Aston Martin Racing in conjunction with its US partner, TRG-AMR, will offer a complete factory-supported race program beginning in 2016, along with a strong reward program for all qualifying competitor's. Drivers and teams that commit to racing an Aston Martin GT4 or V12 Vantage GT3 in Pirelli World Challenge will receive comprehensive factory support, engineering assistance, spare parts support and other benefits to ensure a strong and competitive program.  

The North American program will support the Pirelli World Challenge in GT, GTA and GTS classes. Services available to all Aston Martin competitors will include the following areas of support: 

• Trackside AMR engineering support, including engine management and chassis support.
• Dedicated customer trackside spare parts service.
• Support for public relations, marketing and social media.
• Performance related bonuses for championships and individual races.

An additional element of the package offered by TRG-AMR and AMR is access for young Aston Martin drivers to enter the works Evolution Academy Program for 2016. This program, successfully launched in 2015, sees the top driver in the Academy qualify for a works contract with AMR for the 2016 season. Any eligible driver racing an Aston Martin in the Pirelli World Challenge Championship would be in line to enter the Evolution Academy program and compete for a works driver contract in 2017.

“With the global racing success of the GT4 and V12 Vantage GT3 platform, we felt the time was right to make a bold move to offer full factory support and continued growth of our successful motorsport programme in North America,” said John Gaw, Managing Director of Aston Martin Racing. “What is on offer here should not only attract more drivers and teams to the Aston Martin programs, but also allow more sponsors and corporate partners to become involved in what we are doing. Beyond factory AMR trackside race support, we are exploring ways to create a global business network to connect our corporate partners to the modern-day racing programs.”

“We applaud this move by Aston Martin Racing in the UK to assure teams and drivers running Aston Martin Vantage race cars that they will have direct access to factory support to be competitive on track,” said Kevin Buckler, CEO of TRG-Aston Martin Racing North America. “Our goal at TRG-AMR is to help drivers successfully purchase and race Aston Martin Vantage models in North America, whether that is with TRG-AMR or another team. For drivers wanting a turnkey program including a V8 or V12 Vantage, race support, driver development, and VIP corporate hospitality, we believe TRG-AMR is a great choice. For teams wanting to purchase Aston Martin race cars and compete as a standalone team, we want them to have the security of knowing they have a level playing field by having access to the same factory parts and engineering expertise that we do. This is the first time I have seen anything like this that has been developed and is a true collaborative effort and good for all competition.”

The performance related support package will benefit competitors racing in the Pirelli World Challenge Championship only with an Aston Martin. The package will feature at its pinnacle a $50,000 championship bonus consisting of cash, contingency bonuses and racing parts in the GT and GTA classes, while the GTS class prize will be set at $25,000 collectively.  Both will additionally include individual race bonuses and contingencies.  In order to qualify, the competitor must run an Aston Martin for the entire championship, and compete in every round of the series.  

“We are pleased to once again partner with Aston Martin and TRG in 2016. Their cars and program were a success in the Pirelli World Challenge in 2015 and the new program they are unveiling looks to build strongly on the success and opportunity created by this potent combination of manufacturer and team”, stated Greg Gill, President of Pirelli World Challenge. “This partnership has the potential to become the new benchmark for motorsport collaboration and promotion.”

“We are committed to running the finest support and contingency program for our teams, of any of the major manufacturers and we believe this is a great start.  We have proven that the cars are competitive in all classes and the ability to attract corporate partners is simply beyond any other program we have been involved with.  Aston Martin is truly a wonderful brand to be building a motorsports program around and we look forward to helping the teams to achieve success at all levels both on and off the track,"stated TRG-AMR CEO Kevin Buckler.