Aston Martin Racing Completes Portfolio With New GT2 Entry

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Aston Martin Racing
Aston Martin Racing has revealed the first impressions of its new GT2 racing car.

Known as the Vantage GT2, the new car is based on the V8 engined Aston Martin Vantage road car. The new car will mean Aston Martin is the only manufacturer to offer cars in every GT racing category: GT1 – DBR9; GT2 - Vantage GT2; GT3 – DBRS9; GT4 – Vantage N24.

For the first time, Aston Martin Racing is designing this car to run on either standard race fuel or E85 bio-ethanol (where regulations allow). In 2007, Aston Martin Racing successfully converted a standard DBRS9 to run on E85.

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. Thanks to our experience with the DBRS9, we have been able to develop a bio-ethanol fuelled version, which will be eligible to compete in an increasing number of series now accommodating this greener fuel, including the American Le Mans Series.”

Aston Martin chairman, David Richards, will be announcing Aston Martin Racing’s 2008 plans at the Autosport International show on Thursday 10 January at 10.45 am.
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With Corvette and Aston Martin joining Ferrari and Porsche in the GT2 class, this should be an interesting year in endurance racing.

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Wow, having a model of that and the DBR9 will look immense.

Looks fantastic.
 
dougiemeats
With Corvette and Aston Martin joining Ferrari and Porsche in the GT2 class, this should be an interesting year in endurance racing.
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So, what does that mean for GT1? I mean, if Corvette goes to GT2 then wouldn't that basically leave the ALMS with no GT1?
 
Well I'll tell you what. GT2 just got even more competitive. It's not as if GT2 needs any more reasons to be competitive. I've loved Aston Martin ever since seeing the DB7 Vantage back in Gran Turismo back around 1998. It's just me, but I always feel that real high-end sports cars should have high-end GT1 versions. This project looks incredibly interesting. Sorry to sound like a homer, but they're not taking down my hometown Risi Competizione! ^_^

Nice to see Aston Martin have this undertaking.
 
GT2 is quite possibly the only reason to watch ALMS except for the RS Spyder-R10 battles. ALMS' GT1 class will get a Ford GT racing team this year, but it'll still be boring because either the Ford or the Chevy will A)Fall behind or B)Break down.
 
The GT2 class seems to be the place to be in the ALMS.I hate to say this but I think the factory teams have killed GT1.This class is strong in the LMS.The cost must just be to great to get any real big teams into the GT1.I have loved watching the Vette's over the past years and have been hoping that the class would get back to the size of it's younger years but this seems to be far fetched.:(
 
dougiemeats


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With Corvette and Aston Martin joining Ferrari and Porsche in the GT2 class, this should be an interesting year in endurance racing.

Links:
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First all, Holy crap. GT1 just might be officially dead with only the corvettes, unless Konigsegg's CCGT does compete along with the Supposed Ford GT entry, which I think is actually gonna be in GT2. And second, Long time no see, dougiemeats :)
 
RACECAR
First all, Holy crap. GT1 just might be officially dead with only the corvettes, unless Konigsegg's CCGT does compete along with the Supposed Ford GT entry, which I think is actually gonna be in GT2. And second, Long time no see, dougiemeats :)
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Koenigsegg's CCGT is more FIA GT-oriented, as Koenigsegg is trying to sell the car to interested teams, not actually run it.
 
I can't wait to see how this car performes, I remember seeing pictures of the car testing a few months back, but they seemed to have disappeared. It just looked awesome.

EDIT: Jack posting as Wenders again! Signing out!
 
*McLaren*
Koenigsegg's CCGT is more FIA GT-oriented, as Koenigsegg is trying to sell the car to interested teams, not actually run it.
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Then along with Ford's GT racing in GT2 and the arrival of no astons or Saleens, GT1 is officially dead. I really hate this because It was so alive when there was the Saleen, the Maserati, even the Astons, but its all vette now. I guess I'm gonna still watch it just because I love cars.
 
Just an off-topic deal... welcome back, dougiemeats! Missed you. So to all of you... do you think Aston Martin will make plenty of noise in GT2?
 
JohnBM01
So to all of you... do you think Aston Martin will make plenty of noise in GT2?
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Looking at this thread as well as reactions on alot of car forums, I would say they already have:)
 
JohnBM01
So to all of you... do you think Aston Martin will make plenty of noise in GT2?
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They’ve got plenty of competition, beginning with Ferrari and Porsche. Aston Martin has knocked-off the favorites at Sebring before, beating Corvette in GT1 during their debut of the DBR9. However, I don’t see them repeating the feat at this year’s endurance event (if a team even enters a Vantage GT2; let’s keep our fingers crossed). I do believe that they’ll stand out among the “freshmen,” which consist of the Vantage GT2, Ford GT, Viper CC, and Corvette.

@John & RACECAR: Thanks guys, I missed this place. Hopefully, I’ll be able to stick around for the whole racing season. :)
 
kart racer
The GT2 class seems to be the place to be in the ALMS.I hate to say this but I think the factory teams have killed GT1.This class is strong in the LMS.The cost must just be to great to get any real big teams into the GT1.I have loved watching the Vette's over the past years and have been hoping that the class would get back to the size of it's younger years but this seems to be far fetched.:(
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Yeah, GT1 was always my favorite class to watch. I miss the days of the Viper vs. Vette battles.

JohnBM01
So to all of you... do you think Aston Martin will make plenty of noise in GT2?
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So much is dependant on that outside of just the car. It may differ in each series. I mean, who is the driver, the crew members, are they private or manufacturer supported, who are their other sponsors, etc.

I mean, you only have to look at the GT2 Porsches and see one in front and another in back to know that there is more than just the road car it has been based on affecting their ability to win and make noise.

I think another question is will some veteran teams switch cars or will all new teams come in to use the new Astons? That could make the difference.

Either way it should be interesting to see how they match up.
 
An example of switching teams was when Petersen White Lightning went from Porsches to Ferraris. You go with a better car. It was pretty fun to see Aston Martin and the Corvettes go at it in GT1 while the two were present.
 
FoolKiller
Yeah, GT1 was always my favorite class to watch. I miss the days of the Viper vs. Vette battles.


So much is dependant on that outside of just the car. It may differ in each series. I mean, who is the driver, the crew members, are they private or manufacturer supported, who are their other sponsors, etc.

I mean, you only have to look at the GT2 Porsches and see one in front and another in back to know that there is more than just the road car it has been based on affecting their ability to win and make noise.

I think another question is will some veteran teams switch cars or will all new teams come in to use the new Astons? That could make the difference.

Either way it should be interesting to see how they match up.
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I hear you friend. The GT1 class was what i most like about the ALMS and LMES. Such a good class goes to waste:(
 
Update: A Vantage GT2 will not be present at Sebring and St. Petersburg. Instead, Drayson-Barwell will enter an Aston Martin DBRS9 in the GT2 class while the Vantage GT2 is being prepared. Also, the article confirms that their Vantage entry will be powered by bio-ethanol.

Source
 
GT1 is still alive outside the ALMS. Corvette will run alone in ALMS (There is no Ford GT in GT1), but the Le Mans Series in Europe already has confirmed two-car entries from the Luc Alphand Corvettes and Larbre Saleens, plus the Modena Aston Martin.

FIA GT also has the Gigawave Aston Martin and new PK Carsport Saleen.
 
Well, as I have a basic cable package I am stuck with whatever races are put on ESPN and broadcast TV. So, for me ALMS is the only one I get to watch even semi-regularly.
 
That's actually the "hackjob" test car. It's a V8 Vantage/DBRS9 hybrid that will not be the same as the finished product.

A third team has announced running the V8 Vantage GT2 however: James Watt Automotive (JWA) will run one car alongside a Porsche 997 in LMS. Because their chassis, #03, wont be completed in time, JWA will run the above hackjob for the first two races.
 
Ah, thanks. Do you happen to have a link regarding this car? I can't seem to find any info on it. Also, which bits are part of the DBRS9?
 
Not on a few website, but basically the hackjob is a car frame, race development V8 engine, and the DBRS9's suspension.

Apparently however the car that JWA will initially run will actually be another car, dedicated solely for testing purposes by Prodrive, but leant to JWA because of demand.
 
The359
A third team has announced running the V8 Vantage GT2 however: James Watt Automotive (JWA) will run one car alongside a Porsche 997 in LMS. Because their chassis, #03, wont be completed in time, JWA will run the above hackjob for the first two races.
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James Watt Automotive?! Isn't that the team that fielded the Gulf GT40s and the Porsche 917Ks?! This just keeps getting better and better!
 
RACECAR
James Watt Automotive?! Isn't that the team that fielded the Gulf GT40s and the Porsche 917Ks?! This just keeps getting better and better!
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No, that was JW Automotive Engineering, a joint effort between John Wyer and John Willment. The company ended up becoming GTC Competition.
 
I would love a stock v8 vantage in that paint scheme, matt black and that luminous yellow grille surround detailing :crazy:

Robin
 

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