Aston Martin will return to the Nurburgring for the fourth year in a row to compete in the 24-hour endurance race. This year the new V12 Vantage will be joining the yellow V8 Vantage - nicknamed 'Rose' - on the grid.
The ADAC Nurburgring 24-hour race attracts a variety of entrants from factory backed teams (including Aston Martin, VW and Audi) to private entries in anything from Porsche 911 GT3s and BMW M3 GTS to more modest machinery. The strangest entry in last year's race was probably the Opel Astra Caravan, which finished ahead of a Lamborghini Gallardo!
This year Aston Martin will enter a V12 Vantage, driven by Chief Executive Dr Ulrich Bez along with members of Aston's engineering team. The car is described as being 'near standard specification', which means about 510bhp from a 6.0-litre V12. Changes include reduced weight, which necessitates re-tuned suspension and Pirelli has provided slick tyres for the race.
In addition to the V12 car the V8 Vantage 'Rose', which was the original inspiration for the N24/GT4 programme, will return to the Nurburgring. The yellow car has clocked up over 20,000 endurance racing miles and four 24-hour race finishes. In addition, four or five private teams will also be entering N24/GT4 Vantages.
The 37th ADAC Nurburgring will take place over the 23rd and 24th May.
John Lambert - 27 Apr 2009