What is Aston Martin up to?

[fausto]

...I still find intriguing the fact that Prodrive and Lola will make two separate announcements, at different times. They'll probably cover two different subjects/programs.

[The359]

Aston Martin has the GT2 to announce, Lola has both the B08/60 and B08/80 (One of which is going to Sebah-Speedy).

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by cor123

SpeedTV just posted an interview with George Howard-Chappell:
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/alms/42346/?page=1

This part of the article is interesting:

At present, D-B hope to be able to contest a full ALMS programme with the GT2 car, but may have to use Paul’s existing FIA GT3-specification Aston Martin DBRS9 for the first two events (at Sebring and St. Petersburg) whilst the new Vantage GT2 is still being built. The DBRS9 would be eligible to compete in the GT2S class of the ALMS.

[knighty]

excellent news about the Charouz Aston Martin Lola Coupe project .....so there IS a team with the prestige to hold the AM brand, I'm quite happy to be proven wrong there .....on a rather delecate note, will the Charouz car still have Skoda sponsorship?.........as a load of Skoda logos next to an Aston logo just isnt going to look right!

I think Prodrive have chosen a good team in Charouz, as they have been one of the fastest P1 runners for a while.

[Bentley03]

I'm really chuffed that DSC has been allowed to break the news prior to the official announcements. Seems fitting......congrats Malcolm!!!

Originally Posted by knighty

.....on a rather delecate note, will the Charouz car still have Skoda sponsorship?.........as a load of Skoda logos next to an Aston logo just isnt going to look right!

It's interesting to note from the article that it is AMR who have contracted all three drivers. I suspect (but don't know) that AMR's 'considerable' financial input may dictate what sponsorship does, and does not, make it's way onto the car.

[fausto]

Originally Posted by The359

Aston Martin has the GT2 to announce, Lola has both the B08/60 and B08/80 (One of which is going to Sebah-Speedy).

yes, but it'd be said that GT2 has been already officially announced, after all it's a lot more than a rumour since last november...

[SALEEN S7R]

Good to see Aston Martin back in the top flight. Now just how close can they get to the Audi's and Peugeot's I wonder?

[Bentley03]

Also.........

I'd be interested to know if a second/spare chassis is being purchased for the project. All three drivers are more than capable of pushing a car beyond it's limits!

[gwyllion]

The Aston Martin V12 will have a high centre of gravity (60 dregee V angle) and will be heavy. In combination with a coupe, this does not seem a good choice. Peugeot went for the unconvential 108 degree V angle. Can they get to the 900 kg minimum weight?

[canam]

What is the likely weight difference between the V12 Aston unit and, say, a Judd. Being of GT origins (block and heads have to be stock I believe), is it likely to be a tall unit compared to others? I presume they have done their homework with regard to installation--particularly with a coupe shape where the air flow is very important--but this seems to be more important than Lola's wind tunnel work as the engine is likely to be taller and longer.

I look forward to hearing the engine wail at, what I believe to be, much higher revs than we have heard in the GT car. It will bring back memories of the glorious sound of the Jag V12 in unrestricted form in the Group C days.

[knighty]

Bentley 03, yes I agree, it looks like AMR will be calling the shots to a great degree if they are supplying free engines and free drivers, this will remove a great deal of budget from the Charouz teams overheads, and will therefore require less sponsorship.

I get the feeling that Frank Williams actually did Dave Richards a big favour by ensuring customer F1 cars couldnt race next season, and Dave know s it, and is actually probably very thankfull, F1 is the wrong place for Aston Martin at the moment, as I dare say they would have got dragged into it.......Aston Martin and LMP1 just sounds the perfect place for AM to be at the moment........best of luck me says.

[Truckosaurus]

Quite. Good News all round. But, is this the end of the announcements? Will there be another outfit running a Lola Coupe (with or without an Aston engine) or will a second Lola-AM be available for the LM24hrs?

I can't wait...

[canam]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

The Aston Martin V12 will have a high centre of gravity (60 dregee V angle) and will be heavy. In combination with a coupe, this does not seem a good choice. Peugeot went for the unconvential 108 degree V angle. Can they get to the 900 kg minimum weight?

More significantly, can they fit it in the car and preserve its anticipated aero advantage. The engine is likely to be taller than others and, given its cubic capacity, is likely to require longer inlets if the torque benefits are to be gleaned.

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by canam

I look forward to hearing the engine wail at, what I believe to be, much higher revs than we have heard in the GT car. It will bring back memories of the glorious sound of the Jag V12 in unrestricted form in the Group C days.

Funny......I had exactly the same thought.........then came back down to earth when I remembered the ACO's new decibel limits. The effect should still be similar though, only muted!

[Tom908V12]

Anyway, this are fantastic news

[The359]

SpeedTV once again comes in early

Pictures of the B08/60 mockup (not full scale), although they seem to mistakenly refer to it as an LMP2.

Or is this the B08/80?

[Speed-King]

Another cool AM-news:
http://www.endurance-info.com/articl...d=4712&thold=0

Gulf-livery for the factory DBR9s at Le Mans

[mirkob]

Aston Martin to defend GT1 title with Gulf:


http://www.endurance-info.com/articl...d=4712&thold=0

[The359]

My favorite marque is making me so happy...

[fausto]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Another cool AM-news:
http://www.endurance-info.com/articl...d=4712&thold=0

Gulf-livery for the factory DBR9s at Le Mans

Now, if they only could take back here John Wyer...

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by The359

SpeedTV once again comes in early

Pictures of the B08/60 mockup (not full scale), although they seem to mistakenly refer to it as an LMP2.

Or is this the B08/80?

It's the LMP2 B08/80 windtunnel model which is on display at the Autosport show. They've got their 60's and 80's mixed up...........

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

Funny......I had exactly the same thought.........then came back down to earth when I remembered the ACO's new decibel limits.

´

Oh yeah ..... i forgot about that crap rule !!! Still should sound nice though .

Wonder will AMR be overall light blue or will they retain their BRG color ?

[The359]

Will the B08/80 at the show be the full car?

Hopefully the Lola-Aston will be BRG.

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by The359

Will the B08/80 at the show be the full car?

Hopefully the Lola-Aston will be BRG.

BRG with light blue and orange also ..... perhaps ?

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by The Badger

BRG with light blue and orange also ..... perhaps ?

YUK!!!!!