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Aston Martin Racing launches one-make Vantage GT4 series in UK

Noah Joseph — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Europe, Aston Martin, UK, Racing

Aston Martin Vantage GT4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Single-make customer racing series are an engaging experience for exotic sportscar-makers and their customers. Ferrari's Challenge series dates back to the 348 (succeeded since by the 355, 360 and 430, soon to be replaced by the 458). Porsche's Supercup series has been at it since the early '90s and Lamborghini launched its own Super Trofeo championship just a couple of years ago. Even Maserati's getting in on the game with its new GranTurismo MC. But despite its extensive competition in the various Le Mans Series around the world, Aston Martin has been decidedly absent from the spec-racing scene, the one exception being the company's Asia Cup that started in 2008. But that's all about to change.

To give the broad base of customers who already own race-spec Vantages a chance to get back on track against equal machinery, Aston is launching its own British GT4 Challenge. The series is open to the Vantage GT4 and N24, and will run this year at five tracks across the UK (including Silverstone) plus one at Belgium's famous Spa Francorchamps.

GT4-spec Vantage owners pony up a reasonable £12,950 (about twenty grand American) for the season, which includes hospitality, driving suits and full paddock support from Aston Martin Racing. Fuel and tires are extra, but Aston's trackside support will be so extensive that they'll even install a replacement engine on the spot in case you blow yours out. The 4.3-liter N24 owners feeling underpowered can also upgrade to the GT4's 4.7-liter engine to keep pace.

While the winner of the existing Asia Cup earn a fully-sponsored season in the FIA GT4 Championship, the British champion gets a crack at test driving either the Vantage GT2 or DBRS9 GT3. Now all we need is for Aston to launch a series in North America and we'll be set.

Gallery: Aston Martin Racing Vantage GT4

Gallery: Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24

[Source: PistonHeads]

Aston Martin Racing launches one-make Vantage GT4 series in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Aston Martin Racing Vantage GT2

Alex Nunez — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:56:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin

Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Vantage GT2

The flexfuel-compatible Aston Martin Vantage GT2 that we first reported on back in January has finally been captured in the photo studio. Not surprisingly, it's a looker. After all, the Vantage is a car that activates the pheromones in many a gearhead. Making it Le Mans Series-worthy just piles on the awesome. The car makes its competition debut for James Watt Automotive on April 5 in the European Le Mans series at Barcelona, and it's also good to go for ALMS if any teams decide to take the plunge. Without further ado, have a look for yourself. We like the subtle Gulf colors -- who knew orange lipstick could be so pretty? If baby blue and orange doesn't do it for you, check out the menacing black car that participated in the Paul Ricard test session with the rest of the Aston racers. The phrase, "It's all good" applies here.

Gallery: Aston Martin Vantage GT2

[Source: Aston Martin Racing]

Pics Aplenty: Aston Martin Racing Vantage GT2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin Racing releases sketch of Vantage GT2

Alex Nunez — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:24:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Aston Martin

Click image to enlarge

Aston Martin has officially completed the GT-class superfecta with the announcement of its new Vantage GT2. Aston Martin Racing has unveiled the first sketch of the GT2-class racing car, which is based on the V8 Vantage. The Vantage GT2 has been designed to be campaigned on either normal race fuel or E85 in race series that allow the bio-based juice, such as ALMS. It joins the stable of AM racers that already includes the Le Mans-winning DBR9 GT1 car, the DBRS9 GT3 car, and the Vantage N24 GT4 racer. The menacing GT2 car will be fully unveiled next week in Birmingham at the Autosport International show. Stay tuned for more.

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin Racing releases sketch of Vantage GT2

Aston Martin Racing releases sketch of Vantage GT2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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