About Aston Martin Racing

Aston Martin Racing are Gulf's official racing team. Learn more about this prestigious racing team

Aston Martin Racing

Team Name: Aston Martin Racing

Location: Banbury, UK

Cars run: 2 x DBR9, numbers 007 and 009

 
Team history:

Aston Martin Racing is a joint venture between Aston Martin and Prodrive. The team was created in 2004 specifically to design, build and race production-based sports cars in events and championships around the world. The team's first race was the opening round of the American Le Mans Series at Sebring in 2005, where it scored a spectacular GT1 class victory.

Later that season, Aston Martin won the prestigious RAC Tourist Trophy at Silverstone before embarking on its first Le Mans with the DBR9. After a titanic battle from pole position, the car took its first podium. It was on the podium again at Le Mans in 2006 - having led through the night and at one point held an astonishing fifth overall. There are never any guarantees at the world's toughest endurance race though, and the lead car was hit by clutch trouble just hours from the finish.

Team highlights:

One of the world's most prestigious marques, Aston Martin enjoyed its full season debut in 2006 in the ALMS Championship with drivers Tomas Enge, Pedro Lamy, Stephane Sarrazin and Darren Turner. Aston Martin Racing came first and second at the 1,000-mile long Petit Le Mans race; the jewel in the crown of the American Le Mans Series. Thomas Enge and Darren Turner took the top GT1 honours in their 007 Aston Martin DBR9 on Saturday 30 September 2006 after the car, team and drivers performed faultlessly throughout.

Overall the team won five out of 10 races and narrowly missed out on the championship title.

In 2007, the team concentrated its efforts on the world-famous Le Mans 24hr race: its third attempt at the endurance classic. For the first time since 1959, Aston Martin triumphed at Le Mans. The winning Aston Martin Racing with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts DBR9 - numbered 009 - was driven to GT1 class victory and a remarkable fifth overall by David Brabham, Rickard Rydell and Darren Turner after 24 hours of non-stop competition, characterised by changeable conditions and several safety car periods.

2008 marks the return of Aston Martin Racing to Le Mans to defend its GT1 title in the distinctive blue and orange livery of Gulf Oil.

Two Aston Martin DBR9s, numbered 007 and 009, will look to repeat Gulf's first victory at the 24 hour race 40 years on.