RACING LINE ASTON MARTIN RACING LE MANS DRIVERS / TEST OF ENDURANCE IN MUMBAI / ROBIN BRUNDLE Q&A / OWN A PIECE OF THE TEAM / UP AND COMING EVENTS
Issue 1
RACING LINE
Aston Martin Racing Le Mans driver line-up Aston Martin Racing has now confirmed its exciting driver line-up for this years Le Mans 24-hours in June. Following an historic GT1 class victory at the endurance classic last year, the 2008 line-up is once again an exciting blend of youth and experience, with four new drivers joining two members of the winning crew from last year. The evocative colour scheme, a departure from the traditional Aston Martin Racing Green, is also new for this year thanks to a partnership with Gulf Oil International. Brabham and Turner have been involved with the Aston Martin Racing team since its inception in 2005, and both formed part of the winning 009 crew last year. Frentzen is new to Aston Martin, while the remaining three drivers all have past experience of the DBR9 with the factory or customer teams. “I think we’ve got another very strong lineup this year,” said Aston Martin Racing Team Principal George Howard-Chappell.
“David and Darren are absolutely known quantities to us, having formed part of the crew that won GT1 last year, and it’s very good to have them on board again. Antonio and Karl have both been extremely active in our customer teams, and we have been very impressed with them throughout our testing programme. Andrea drove for us at Le Mans in 2006 – as well as in America – so we’re delighted to welcome him back. As for HeinzHarald, his reputation speaks for itself, so we look forward to a successful collaboration and another exciting race.” After finishing on the podium twice at Le Mans following a return to racing in 2005, it finally came good for Aston Martin last year when the 009 DBR9 clinched GT1 class victory at the end of an actionpacked race. This year, the team is in no doubt that the challenge will be even greater in the face of formidable opposition. In total there will be 10 cars in the GT1 class, from four different manufacturers.
RACING LINE
007
Car number 007 will be driven by Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Germany), Andrea Piccini (Italy) and Karl Wendlinger (Austria).
Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Frentzen is new to sportscar racing, but has enjoyed a distinguished Formula 1 career, finishing second in the 1997 Drivers’ World Championship and third in 1999. “I’ve only driven at Le Mans once, 16 years ago, so it’s a great pleasure to come back to such a famous race – especially with a prestigious team like Aston Martin, which has formed part of the history of motorsport. The circuit is obviously very demanding, but the biggest challenge for us will be to stay fully focussed and concentrated over the course of the whole 24 hours.”
Andrea Piccini
Andrea formed part of the Aston Martin Racing team that finished second at the 2006 Le Mans 24 Hours and he is also a regular in the FIA GT Championship. “I’m delighted to come back to the factory team and I feel very proud to be sharing the 007 car with two very well-known drivers of the calibre of Heinz-Harald and Karl. Anything can happen at Le Mans of course, but in 2006 we finished second and I was also second in the FIA GT Championship and Spa 24 Hours. So it would be good to go one better this time!”
Karl Wendlinger
Karl cut his teeth in sports cars before moving into Formula 1. He then returned to endurance racing a few years later, winning the 1999 FIA GT Championship and becoming a regular at Le Mans. “I’ve driven the DBR9 for three seasons in the FIA GT Championship and I’ve competed at Le Mans several times, but I’ve never driven the DBR9 at Le Mans before, so I’m very pleased to finally have the opportunity to do that. The team and the drivers are very experienced, so while a 24 hour race like Le Mans is always impossible to predict, I feel that we have a very good chance.”
Aston Martin Racing Le Mans driver line-up
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009
Car number 009 – the same number as last year’s winning car – will be driven by David Brabham (Australia), Antonio Garcia (Spain) and Darren Turner (Great Britain).
David Brabham
David is the most experienced of Aston Martin Racing’s drivers as this will be his fifteenth Le Mans and his fourth in a DBR9. Having formed part of last year’s winning line-up, he is eager to try and repeat the experience. “I’m delighted to be asked back and have the opportunity to race at Le Mans again this year. If anything it’s going to be an even bigger challenge now as I’m sure the competition will have moved on, so we’ll need another faultless run. I feel we’re well prepared, but anything can happen at Le Mans – which is precisely what makes it such a fascinating place.”
Antonio Garcia
Antonio – who will be contesting his third Le Mans this year – has experience of the race and the DBR9 through Aston Martin’s customer teams, but this will be his first appearance with the works team. “It’s obviously a big privilege to drive for the works team now, and I think we have a really good chance. Le Mans is a race where you just have to do the best you can, keep working hard, and try to let the result come to you. It’s a tough challenge, but a really nice one and I think I am well-placed to benefit from my previous experience now.”
Darren Turner
Darren will be contesting his sixth Le Mans 24 Hours this year, having been a permanent fixture in the Aston Martin Racing team since the DBR9’s debut race at Sebring in 2005. “Winning the race last year has given us added confidence but it has probably also put even more pressure on, as now we’re the team to beat. The opposition has always been strong, but I’m sure that they will have been working even harder over the winter now that they know the level we’re at. I think we’ve got a very solid line-up: the key to success at Le Mans is always good preparation, which so far we’ve been able to achieve.”
Aston Martin Racing Le Mans driver line-up
RACING LINE
Test of endurance in Mumbai Aston Martin Racing travelled to India last month for Gulf’s first-ever Aston Martin Racing event.
The evening event was an outstanding success, setting the tone for the following night’s activities at Bandra Reclamation.
Several events were held to showcase the exciting new partnership, and to highlight the 40th anniversary of Gulf’s first victory at the famous 24 hour race.
Saturday’s event included an impressive display where the DBR9 was run to demonstrate the car’s awesome power on the dusty stretch of road. A select number of lucky individuals, which included a number of VIP guests, participated in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride with Aston Martin Racing team drivers, Darren Turner and Tomas Enge, in a live pit stop demonstration. The lucky passengers were given the chance to experience the speed and to savour the atmosphere.
The two days of festivities began on Friday 18 April at the InterContinental Marine Drive in Mumbai, where Sanjay Hinduja, oldest son of Gopi - one of four brothers running the Hinduja empire, hosted a VIP media and celebrity party at the Dome Terrace bar; a sensational backdrop for the prestigious event. On arrival guests were invited to have their picture taken with the 2008 Le Mans DBR9 in full Gulf livery, before proceeding up to the roof terrace to enjoy cocktails and canapés while savouring the exquisite backdrop of the ‘Queen’s necklace’ of Marine Drive. Along with the team, Aston Martin Racing drivers, Darren Turner and Tomas Enge, were present, together with leading UK motorsport journalist and broadcaster, Henry Hope-Frost, who was leading the proceedings. Bollywood actors and Indian celebrities, Sophie Choudhary and Fardeen Kahn, made guest appearances at the event with Sophie taking over the microphone to introduce Sanjay Hinduja to the guests.
The drivers flaunted their control and power to a delighted audience. The evening ended with press calls and many photo opportunities, not only with the car, but the pit girls and team too. The car’s true potential will be tested to the max at the historic La Sarthe circuit on June 14 -15.
The racing fashion Hackett and Aston Martin Racing have this year produced their most extensive joint-branded range to date. The Hackett Aston Martin Racing range combines the style and performance displayed by the preparation and presentation of the GT1 DBR9 Le Mans race car. Combining technical material and new concepts in design and performance, this year’s range promises to be a very exciting concession for Hackett. Attending the world renowned Italian fashion event, the ‘Pitti Fashion Show’, Hackett’s Aston Martin Racing themed display stage was the highlight of the show, offering retailers the first glimpse of the new fashion range for 2008. If you wish to view Hackett’s new range, please visit its website www.hackett.com, where you will also be able to find your nearest store. Similar to Hackett, our technical race wear and fashion shoe partner, Sabelt, has also developed a product based around its connection and commitment to the Aston Martin Racing team.
Commenting about the partnership, Sabelt stated: ‘Sabelt for Aston Martin Racing is a footwear project born between two brands linked by the same passion. The experience, endurance and emotions of the Aston Martin Racing team drivers during competitions have given venture to this new collection.” The result of this combination is an elegant and stylish shoe with high technical details reflecting the racing world. The distinctive Aston Martin Racing Green, together with Italian leather matched with technical canvas and carbon inserts, give individuality to the whole collection. For further information on this and other Sabelt related products please see the website: www.sabelt.com. If you would like to purchase any of the specific Aston Martin Racing related products please contact your account manager.
for
for
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What do you hope to bring to the team in your new role? My approach is that of a businessman with motor racing experience and, as such, I intend to draw on my commercial skills to help the Aston Martin Racing team take the business to even greater heights. What is your first motorsport related memory? Travelling in the back of an ex-Paddy Hopkirk 2.5 Triumph Pi rally car with my dad. In order to run the car in, he decided to drive it to Scotland and back from our home in Norfolk. However, I had to travel in the back where, being a full-blown rally car, there were no seats. I remember clearly being given a piece of foam for a seat and was so excited about the trip that I didn’t mind one little bit! I recall I was about five years old.
Robin Brundle
For those of you who have not yet met Robin Brundle, he has recently been appointed as managing director for Aston Martin Racing. This is a new and key appointment for the team, and we are delighted to welcome Robin on board. Racing Line grabbed a few minutes and a coffee with Robin recently in between meetings to ask him some questions…
What does the Aston Martin brand mean to you? As a child and teenager the brand was aspirational for me as one of the greatest sports car brands ever. This was further strengthened by the association with my childhood hero, James Bond. Are you looking forward to Le Mans? Yes, immensely. As you may know, my brother, Martin has competed many times at Le Mans and I have been a keen supporter of his on-track achievements. I have some great memories from this blue riband event. If you could own any car in the world, what would it be? It has got to be the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. Beautiful and fast… Who is your racing hero? My brother, Martin. Given your obvious family associations, why sports cars and not Formula One? My professional racing career was always based around saloon cars and this passion has continued naturally into working for a sports car team. What is your favourite holiday destination? Skiing anywhere in the world over 3000 metres. What is your favourite film? After the James Bond films it has to be Die Hard because the good guy always wins,
although he has to work hard for that win. Furthermore, the central character played by Bruce Willis, uses a believable amount of intelligence and logic in his quest. If you could have any superhuman power what would it be? The ability to heal people. What is your favourite sporting pastime? Away from motorsport, it has to be hockey. I used to play at top level and love the sport. Do you have any lifelong ambitions yet to be fulfilled? To drive a Formula One car…
RACING LINE
Own a part of the team
Aston Martin Racing has an exclusive range of team memorabilia from some of the stars and cars. We are now offering partners and fans alike the opportunity to own these items.
Authentic unique items, such as drivers’ race suits, car parts, commemorative posters and pictures, and other team belongings are available. All items of memorabilia from Aston Martin Racing will be supplied with a genuine certificate of authenticity, and in many cases the items will be signed by our celebrated drivers. Aston Martin Racing memorabilia is available from selected locations, while various items will also be supplied for fundraising events. In 2009 Aston Martin Racing will be placing exclusive memorabilia items in Bonhams’ Aston Martin and related automobilia sale. This will be the celebrated 10th year of the auction. Since 2000 Bonhams has sold over £14m worth of Aston Martin cars and related automobilia, often at record breaking levels, making it the worldwide leader in this sector. This is guaranteed to be a memorable auction. Aston Martin Racing memorabilia will also be on sale at the Goodwood Festival of Speed auction on July 11 2008. For information about the Bonhams’ auctions and available lots please visit its website at www.bonhams.com.
RACING LINE
Up and coming events
Throughout 2008 Aston Martin Racing has a packed schedule of events and activities for all our official partners. Each issue of Racing Line will serve as an opportunity to inform all our partners of forthcoming events. June sees the legendary Le Mans 24 hour race, the pinnacle of the Aston Martin Racing calendar, followed by our UK-based driver day at the wonderfully varied Goodwood estate and race circuit at the start of July.