Monday 1st February 2010

Gulf Astons Return To Le Mans 24hrs

Two-car entry in top LMP1 class confirmed by Aston Martin Racing

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Aston LMP1s will be back in 2010

Aston Martin Racing has announced plans to enter two Works LMP1 cars bearing the iconic blue and orange livery of Gulf Oil in the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Aston finished La Sarthe fourth last year, having been quickest of the petrol powered prototypes in its maiden LMP1 event - and the team was kind enough to share the excitement with a handful of PH prize-winners thanks to a fabulous night-time garage tour at the iconic event.

This year, Aston Martin Racing will compete in three races prior to the Le Mans 24 Hours with one LMP1 car as a 'warm up' for the big one. Those races will be the first two rounds of the American Le Mans Series - the 12 hours of Sebring on 20 March and the Long Beach Grand Prix on 17 April, plus the opening round of the European Le Mans Series at Paul Ricard in France on 11 April.

Aston says drivers, Chris Buncombe (GB), Stefan Mücke (DE), Harold Primat (CH) and Darren Turner (GB) return for the 2010 season and will be joined by experienced sports car driver Adrian Fernández (MX). (Fernández is no stranger to sports car racing and the American Le Mans Series having won the LMP2 class outright in 2009.)

An evocative image from Spa last year

The team will also compete in selected blue riband races around the world post Le Mans, details of the remaining race programme and sixth driver will be subject to further announcements in the coming weeks, according to Aston Martin Racing's press release this morning.

The LMP1 cars will be powered by the same Aston Martin V12 engine which forms the basis for the Aston Martin DBS, V12 Vantage, DB9 and forthcoming four-door Aston Martin Rapide. "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.

The partnership with Gulf Oil continues

"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 line-up."

The 78th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours takes place 12/13 June 2010, and PH has once again teamed up with 1st Tickets to provide secure camping and essential facilities. Click here to find out more.

Download hi-res image - Aston at Spa

[LukeBird]

Good to hear it!

[chevronb37]

Fingers crossed they'll be at the Silverstone LMS race as well.

[dele]

Good news, easily one of my favourite looking LMP cars

[TEKNOPUG]

BBBBWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[soad]

Nice one, these look so sweet too. Good luck to them.

[Gun]

Great news, they looked and sounded amazing last year. Here's hoping they can finish even higher this year, about time a petrol car gave the Audis and Pugs a run for their money!

Edited by Gun on Monday 1st February 12:19

[Smok3yMcPot]

Excellent. These cars look and sound amazing! Love them at night on the slower corners when they emit huge fireballs.

[wab172uk]

Good luck Aston.

[fivesixseven8]

Can we get a MASSIVE (2560px wide?) version of this please?

[KrissJ]

fivesixseven8 said:

Can we get a MASSIVE (2560px wide?) version of this please?

I'll second that request. That photo is brilliant!

As for the story, others have already said it, but that's great news.

Edited by KrissJ on Monday 1st February 13:08

[yellowxpack.]

Booked our ferry tickets last week - the count down begins!

[Papa Hotel]

Sweet Jimminy, I think I'm leaking.

[DaveL485]

KrissJ said:

fivesixseven8 said:

Can we get a MASSIVE (2560px wide?) version of this please?

I'll second that request. That photo is brilliant!

As for the story, others have already said it, but that's great news.

Edited by KrissJ on Monday 1st February 13:08

Oh god yes. Bigger the better.

[Tipy]

DaveL485 said:

KrissJ said:

fivesixseven8 said:

Can we get a MASSIVE (2560px wide?) version of this please?

I'll second that request. That photo is brilliant!

As for the story, others have already said it, but that's great news.

Edited by KrissJ on Monday 1st February 13:08

Oh god yes. Bigger the better.

This picture can be found on the AMR website http://www.astonmartinracing.com/content/allsites/...

And this is great news followed them all last year, amazing cars

[Chris-R]

Or you can download it from the new link at the foot of our article!

[slarnge]

Looking forward to seeing these guys again this year.Good luck Aston

[zippyprorider]

cant wait for le mans now!

[KrissJ]

Chris-R said:

Or you can download it from the new link at the foot of our article!

Cool. Thanks.

[mattsayle]

KrissJ said:

Chris-R said:

Or you can download it from the new link at the foot of our article!

Cool. Thanks.

My girlfriends laptop has a brilliant (decent) wallpaper now How long it will last for is another matter, yet to be decided.......

[GraemeM]

You could always buy yourself a car to enter and go head to head with the 'works' team.

http://www.astonfinder.com/showcar.asp?CarID=1116

Now THAT would be fun!

Go halves with someone?