Aston Martin Racing will enter two Works LMP1 cars finished in iconic blue and orange Gulf Oil livery in the 78th running of Le Mans in June. The Lola-Aston Martin LMP1 car has a full carbon fibre body/chassis with steel space frame engine and gearbox supports. Power comes from a six-litre V12 engine based on the original production DB9 block and heads. The dry sump lubed, double overhead cam, four-valve engine is redlined at 7,500 rpm and produces more than 650 horsepower. A six-speed sequential gearbox is transverse mounted and utilizes a triple-plate carbon fiber clutch.
In its maiden LMP1 outing at Le Mans in 2009, Aston Martin Racing exceeded all expectations. They finished fourth overall and was the quickest gas-powered prototype from start to finish! Aston Martin Racing will compete with one LMP1 car in three races prior to the Le Mans 24 Hours. They include the first two rounds of the American Le Mans Series – the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 20th and the Long Beach Grand Prix on April 17th - and the opening round of the European Le Mans Series at Paul Ricard in France on April 11th.
Aston Martin Racing drivers, Chris Buncombe (GB), Stefan Mücke (DE), Harold Primat (CH) and Darren Turner (GB) return for the 2010 season and will be joined by Adrian Fernández (MX). Fernández is new to Aston Martin but no stranger to sports car racing and the American Le Mans Series, having won the LMP2 class outright in 2009!
“Having won the Le Mans Series Team and Driver titles in 2009 it will be a hard act to follow,” said Aston Martin Racing Team Principal, George Howard-Chappell. “However, we are looking forward to a great season of racing and we hope to have another strong showing at Le Mans. I’d like to welcome Adrian to the team, I’m sure with his experience he will be a great addition to our driver lineup.”
For more information about Aston Martin, please visit: http://www.astonmartin.com/