| New 'Green' Racer | Aston Martin Vantage GT2 |
GT racing is undergoing something of a resurgence at the moment and Aston Martin is certainly capitalising on its growth. The UK firm has just announced a GT2 version of its V8 Vantage, meaning it now offers customers the opportunity to buy an Aston Martin to race in any of the GT categories. With its awesome DBR9 competing in GT1 against cars like the Ferrari Enzo-based Maserati MC12 and the thundering Corvettes, the new GT2 Vantage will take the fight to the dominant Ferrari 430 GTs and Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs. Aston also offers a GT3 competitor in the DBRS9 and a GT4 car with the N24.
Robin Brundle, Aston Martin Racing's new managing director, said: "The new Vantage GT2 completes our product portfolio for 2008 with competitive cars now available in every category." Aston has used its experience with the E85 bio-ethanol fuelled DBRS9 to develop the new GT2 Vantage to run on this greener fuel - allowing it to compete in an increasing number of series permitting the plant-derived fuel, including the American Le Mans series. The new car will be unveiled at the Autosport International show on January 10, Aston Martin chairman David Richards announcing Aston Martin's racing plans for 2008 at the motorsport event in Birmingham this week.
The new Aston will add a third serious contender to the GT2 class. The front-engined GT2 Vantage will race against the mid-engined 430 GT Ferraris and the rear-engined 911 GT3 RSRs. The Aston Martin will need to be good to compete against these established rivals. The Ferraris in particular are expected to be very strong this year; a number of teams, including the new Cobra Racing Scuderia (CRS) with its formidable Andrew Kirkaldy and Rob Bell driver line-up campaigning Ferrari's 2008 car. Aston has yet to reveal prices or power outputs for its new racer, though the British firm will be hoping its new car delivers a strong performance at the first round at Silverstone in April.
Kyle Fortune - 7 Jan 2008