Aston Martin is no stranger to racing, so it may surprise you to learn that it has never actually run its own factory race series. That's about to change though, as the maker launches the British GT4 Challenge, a six-race series that starts in April.
Only the Aston Vantage GT4 and Vantage N24 are eligible for a series that Aston says was conceived out of genuine customer interest. Apparently, loads of the 60-odd GT4 owners Aston has made cars for over the last three years have asked for a one-make series so they could race on a level playing field with their wealthy co-buyers.
Each car can have two drivers, races are between 90- and 150 minutes long and the practice, qualifying and race itself all take place on the same day. Aston will provide backup by way of a truck full of spares, and all cars will wear the same sort of tyres to keep things fair. The cost of participation isn't mentioned - but if you have to ask...
And if you're reading this using free Wi-Fi at McDonalds and fancy a go yourself (millionaires enjoy a Big Mac sometimes too), Aston says it has four Vantage GT4s in progress at the moment. Take a McFlurry to Gaydon and you might get your name down for one.
Oh, and the winner gets to have a go in either the Aston Martin Vantage GT2 or the Aston Martin DBRS9 (GT3). What? Isn't being rich reward enough in life?
Here's a list of the races:
April 5th: Snetterton
May 22nd: Silverstone
June 5/6th: Spa
June 26th: Brands Hatch
August 21st: Oulton Park
October 9th: Donington Park
Mark Nichol - 17 Feb 2010