Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Aston Martin Racing brings former F1 driver to Le Mans team]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/20/richards-brings-former-f1-driver-to-aston-martin-team/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/20/richards-brings-former-f1-driver-to-aston-martin-team/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/20/richards-brings-former-f1-driver-to-aston-martin-team/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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Under its new ownership, Aston Martin continues to forge ahead into a brighter independent future. In addition to the production announcement of the Rapide and the rumors of an upcoming "DBX", Aston is not missing a beat on its racing agenda, which should come as no surprise considering the background of its new chairman, David Richards.

To headline its Le Mans endurance racing program, Richards has brought in a big-name former F1 driver. Johnny Herbert, who in his eleven-year Formula One career drove for the likes of Benetton, Lotus, Sauber and Jaguar, will be driving the Aston Martin DBR9 for the Prodrive-run team at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. Herbert is no stranger to endurance racing, having won the race for Mazda in 1991 and having driven the dominating MC12 for the Maserati factory team and Audis for customer teams, before briefly returning to the F1 paddock as Jordan/Midland's sporting relations manager. Richards withdrew Aston from the American Le Mans Series for this season, so they'll only be competing in the title race at Le Mans, leaving Herbert with enough time to consider other possibilities, including the Grand Prix Masters. (Aston also announced a new sponsorship deal with luxury hotel chain InterContinental.)

Recruiting Herbert, however, is about as close as Aston Martin will be getting to Formula One anytime soon. David Richards quelled any speculation that the Aston Martin name would be linked to his upcoming re-entry into F1 with Prodrive. Likely taking a page from former corporate cousin Jaguar's unfortunate experience in F1, Richards has wisely decided to leave Aston out of his grand prix venture rather than risk dragging its valuable name through the mud.

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin Racing brings former F1 driver to Le Mans team

Aston Martin Racing brings former F1 driver to Le Mans team originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24astoncarcontinentaldbr9driverendurancef1gtgt1herberthoursinterjohnnylemansmartinprodriveracingsignsponsorsportsTue, 20 Mar 2007 18:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Mazda RX-8 reliability tested for third time at 24-hour endurance race]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/16/mazda-rx-8-reliability-tested-for-third-time-at-24-hour-enduranc/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/16/mazda-rx-8-reliability-tested-for-third-time-at-24-hour-enduranc/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/16/mazda-rx-8-reliability-tested-for-third-time-at-24-hour-enduranc/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Mazda RX-8's reliability has taken a beating as of late, what with the leaked video and various reports of squeeky brakes, flooding and even failing engines in hot climates. The RX-8, however, shouldn't be written off just yet. You should know that the four-door sports car has competed in and completed two 24-hour endurance races and has been entered in its third, the Silverstone Britcar 24 Hour Endurance Race, which takes place on September 9th and 10th.

Mazda will be entering three cars in the Silverstone race that have been modified only to meet racing safety requirements and are otherwise stock, including their 1.3-liter RENESIS rotary engine.

Mazda began endurance racing the RX-8 back in 2004 when it set 40 records with two cars that drove more than 3,100 miles in 24 hours at average speeds of 132 and 134 mph.

[Source: Mazda]

Mazda RX-8 reliability tested for third time at 24-hour endurance race originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Aug 2006 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enduranceraceracingrotaryRX-8Wed, 16 Aug 2006 19:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Maserati racing in 24 Hours of Nurburgring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/15/maserati-racing-in-24-hours-of-nurburgring/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/15/maserati-racing-in-24-hours-of-nurburgring/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/15/maserati-racing-in-24-hours-of-nurburgring/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Maserati has announced that it's throwing its hat in the 'Ring, literally. The Italian marque will be fielding a pair of racers next month in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race to held on June 17th. The factory team will be running a GranSport 'Labortorio' based on Maserati's entrant in GT racing and another car more closely resembling the road-going GranSport model with modifications limited to a stronger suspension and the requisite fuel supply and refilling hardware. Drivers include an ex-F1 racer, a pair of journalists and a "gentleman driver" that will pilot both vehicles at different times during the race.

[Source: PistonHeads]

Maserati racing in 24 Hours of Nurburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 May 2006 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 hours24HoursendurancegransportlabortorioracingMon, 15 May 2006 13:58:00 EST