More Aston Martin - The big story

[The359]

This is the third part of Aston Martin's bg day of announcements, beyond the V8 Vantage GT2 (for use by Drayson-Barwell in the ALMS) and the Gulf sponsorship for the DBR9s at Le Mans...

The Lola B08/60-Aston Martin

Due to new regulations for the LMP1 class, engines run in GT1 and produced in over 1000 road car units are now legal for LMP1 (under 6000cc), which generous air restrictor breaks in order to help against custom-built engines.

Aston Martin and Prodrive have jumped at the chance, and have purchased the first Lola B08/60 LMP1 Coupe for a full Le Mans Series and 24 Hours assault. The car has the race-proven 6.0L V12 from the DBR9 installed. This marks the first major manufacturer to not go the diesel route in LMP1.

Charouz Racing System of the Czech Republic has been chosen by Prodrive as the official team to run the Lola-Aston Martin. Drivers Thomas Enge, Jan Charouz, and Stefan Mucke are hired by Prodrive as the drivers for this entry, and Prodrive will fully support its run.

Lola is also building more B08/60 LMP1s for customers, as well as a B08/80 LMP2 Coupe variant, with a variety of engines possible.

This now places Aston Martin cars in 5 of the 6 major sports car classes worldwide.

 

[JohnBM01]

Looks like Aston Martin wants to divide and conquer. Pretty cool stuff. I may be wrong, but hasn't it been since 1989 or 1990 that there was an Aston Martin-powered prototype (the Aston Martin AMR-1)?

 

[The359]

Yes, the AMR1 in 1989 was the last Aston Martin-powered prototype.

 

[dougiemeats]

That's excellent news. I went to Mariantic to check out any details and I came across this statement:

Aston Martin will run a NEW LMP1 next year being designed by Gordon Murray

Does anyone have details about this? These are exciting times for Aston Martin Racing.

 

[JohnBM01]

It's even better news if any of the new Aston Martin LMP1 entries are coming to the ALMS because there's more competition. GT1 is still the trouble spot in the ALMS, but great to see Aston Martin go into this undertaking.

 

[kjb]

It's even better news if any of the new Aston Martin LMP1 entries are coming to the ALMS because there's more competition. GT1 is still the trouble spot in the ALMS, but great to see Aston Martin go into this undertaking.

I agree I hope they come back to ALMS

 

[The359]

Word is Corvette is going forward with running on their on in 2008 because they know a new Pratt & Miller LMP1 will be ready under the Corvette banner in 2009.

 

[dougiemeats]

An LMP1 grid consisting of Audi, Corvette, Aston Martin, Peugeot, and possibly Honda?

 

[Layla's Keeper]

The Pratt & Miller LMP1 has been routinely scuttled in the press by P&M representatives, so I wouldn't jump too high on that one.

Honestly, this Lola/Charouz/Aston Martin deal is a big surprise and I hope it nails down success in a hurry. So far, the track record for LMP1's with production based engines has NOT been good.

Lister LMP

Lavaggi LS1

 

[dougiemeats]

The Pratt & Miller LMP1 has been routinely scuttled in the press by P&M representatives, so I wouldn't jump too high on that one.

Honestly, this Lola/Charouz/Aston Martin deal is a big surprise and I hope it nails down success in a hurry. So far, the track record for LMP1's with production based engines has NOT been good.

*Image*
Lister LMP

*Image*
Lavaggi LS1

Admittedly, I don't know much about the Lister LMP and the Lavaggi LS1, but I am going to assume that the manufacturer of the engine didn't provide support - is this correct?

I understand that Aston Martin will be backing the Charouz Lola effort, so I assume that they will fare better than the efforts mentioned earlier. Regardless, they will gain knowledge with this venture for their rumored LMP next year.

 

[The359]

Lister simply bought Chevy V8s, Lavaggi had someone tune some Ford V8s. Apples and oranges.

 

[Layla's Keeper]

Granted, those aren't fair examples, but the point that a production-based engine has a hill to climb, even when it's factory money against the likes of Judd, Zytek, and AER, is a valid point.

Let's face it, there's a world of difference between the DB9's V12 being happily cradled in its Prodrive frame, and that same V12 becoming a stressed structural member at the backend of a Lola.

I hope I'm wrong, because this will undoubtedly be one of the most gorgeous sounding (and looking) cars on track and I'd give anything to see the oil-burners swivel on it, but I have serious concerns about the torsional strength of the Aston Martin V12 and thus its reliability in a stressed-member package.

 

[JohnBM01]

Judging upon some of the extra info I've read in this thread, is this new move to allow LMP1 entries to have production-based engines in cars a way to get more LMP1 competition (GT1's the real trouble spot)?

 

[The359]

Granted, those aren't fair examples, but the point that a production-based engine has a hill to climb, even when it's factory money against the likes of Judd, Zytek, and AER, is a valid point.

Let's face it, there's a world of difference between the DB9's V12 being happily cradled in its Prodrive frame, and that same V12 becoming a stressed structural member at the backend of a Lola.

I hope I'm wrong, because this will undoubtedly be one of the most gorgeous sounding (and looking) cars on track and I'd give anything to see the oil-burners swivel on it, but I have serious concerns about the torsional strength of the Aston Martin V12 and thus its reliability in a stressed-member package.

There's a huge difference. Production-engines have never been run properly at Le Mans (especially since this rule break is new for 2008). Yes, the DBR9 V12 is a different machine from a Judd, Zytek, Audi, or AER, mostly with the problem of weight.

But, of the 6 DBR9s that ran the 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans, all finished (5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 17th, and 29th). The DBR9 V12 is race proven and reliable. In fact, in the three years of DBR9s at Le Mans, only two cars have failed to finish: fuel pickup problem in 2005, accident in 2006.

 

[RACECAR]

Granted, those aren't fair examples, but the point that a production-based engine has a hill to climb, even when it's factory money against the likes of Judd, Zytek, and AER, is a valid point.

Let's face it, there's a world of difference between the DB9's V12 being happily cradled in its Prodrive frame, and that same V12 becoming a stressed structural member at the backend of a Lola.

I hope I'm wrong, because this will undoubtedly be one of the most gorgeous sounding (and looking) cars on track and I'd give anything to see the oil-burners swivel on it, but I have serious concerns about the torsional strength of the Aston Martin V12 and thus its reliability in a stressed-member package.

Well, with this new rule, IT be good:

Previously there was nothing stopping someone from racing a GT1 engine in the back of an LMP1 chassis (Lister Corvette engine for example), but the regulations didn't encourage it given the draw back of the higher weight and design constraints of a GT based engine vs. the unlimited nature of bespoke racing power plants from Judd, AER, etc. But that has now changed and engines homologated for GT1 (production of 1000 units a year) are now recognized within the LMP1 engine regulations and given larger inlet restrictor for comparable engine capacity. For comparison, a 6.0 liter, multi valve bespoke LMP1 engine is allowed a 45.5 mm restrictor where as a GT1 homologated engine can used a 47.2 mm restrictor (46.6 mm base + .6 mm for over 12 cylinders). So that will mean more power from the GT1 engine in LMP application to make up for its deficiencies.

But hell, like I know about rules regarding engines.

 

[dougiemeats]

Click for more photos​

Planet Le Mans has photos of the Charouz Racing Systems Lola Aston Martin testing at Prodrive's proving grounds in Warwickshire, England with Jan Charouz behind the wheel.