Aston Martin Returns to International Motor Racing with the DBR9

By: Brad Nevin | Ford Communications Network

Aston Martin returns to international motor racing during the 12 Hours of Sebring in Florida. For more information about Aston Martin vehicles, visit astonmartin.com.

SEBRING, Florida., March 16, 2005 -- Aston Martin returns to international motor racing this Saturday when drivers in two DBR9 entries compete at the 12 Hours of Sebring in Florida.

David Brabham, Stephane Ortelli and Darren Turner will drive car number 57 painted the same green and yellow colors that adorned the Aston Martin cars that dominated sports car racing in the late 1950s. Peter Kox, Pedro Lamy and Stephane Sarrazin will drive car number 58 painted green and red, colors that echo those on the DB3S Works cars in the 1950s.

"I'm sure enthusiasts around the world will share in the team's excitement at Aston Martin's long awaited return to the race track," said George Howard-Chappell, Team Principal of Aston Martin Racing. "The 12 Hours of Sebring will undoubtedly be a tough race debut for the all-new DBR9, but we regard it as a critical milestone in our testing and development program leading up to the Le Mans 24 Hour race in June."

Howard-Chappell said the results his team has achieved from the testing and development program at Sebring have been encouraging, but looking ahead to the race there are many unknowns.

"The team has been working hard in preparation for Sebring, but we have yet to run in a race environment," said Howard-Chappell. "Regardless of the outcome at Sebring it will prove an invaluable learning experience for us."

Aston Martin last appeared at Sebring in 1983 when two prototypes finished fifth overall. The brand's history at Sebring dates back to 1950 when three DB2s competed in what was then a six-hour competition. In 1953, a DB3 achieved Aston Martin's best-ever results with a class win and an overall second place finish. Three years later, Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori took fourth place overall driving a DB3S, and in 1958 Stirling Moss set the fastest race lap in a DBR1.

The DBR9 GT race car competing in 2005 is based on the production Aston Martin DB9 but is significantly modified for competition use. The DBR9 shares its bonded-aluminum body architecture with the DB9, which gives both models a lightweight, rigid chassis. The race engine uses the same aluminum cylinder block and head as the DB9's 450-horsepower 6.0-liter V12 unit, but with racing modifications the race engine produces around 600 horsepower.

The DBR9 retains the DB9's double wishbone suspension but also features up-rated components and a revised geometry for racing circuits. The DBR9 also has Formula One style carbon brakes front and rear and a competition, six-speed sequential gearbox at the rear axle.

"We need to create heightened awareness for Aston Martin around the world and motor sport will allow us to do this," said Dr Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin. "The DBR9 is the first step in our return to motor sport and I know that our customers and enthusiasts alike are looking forward to seeing Aston Martin racing again at an international level in 2005."