Monday 23rd January 2006

Ascari to Race Again

FIA GT3 series awaits new KZ1R racer

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Ascari has announced that it is to return to the race track. Together with Damax, the Northamptonshire based motorsport engineers, Ascari is looking to compete in this year’s FIA GT3 European Series, going head to head with the likes of Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Maserati.

KZ1 GT3

The move follows last year’s success in the Spanish GT, where Ascari challenged for class honours in a car that is soon to hit the road in the guise of the new A10. This year the Banbury based outfit plans to up the ante, with the new GT3 class car drawing heavily on the company’s well established KZ1R.

While entry is still subject to FIA approval, the cars are expected to complete their first tests at the end of January before moving onto the official FIA tests where the performance of all Championship cars will be governed to provide, what is sure to be, a year of great racing.

The car was driven yesterday at Silverstone by team drivers Nick Adams and Aaron Scott. The drivers completed a number of laps in the car, giving rides to journalists and VIP guests. Both drivers were delighted with the car as it set a blistering pace in cold conditions.

Aaron Scott said, "The car is very good out of the box. I am sure that, with the expertise of the engineers at Damax, we can make it even better. I am very much looking forward to the testing programme ahead, and of course the racing season which starts in May at Silverstone."

Links

• www.damax.co.uk
• www.ascari.co.uk

 

[markbrai888]

And according to dailysportscar.com, TVR are reportely interested in having a car in the championship..Sagaris maybe?? Could be a good one!

[Porker_nut]

Nice to see another british sportscar manufacturer returning to the racing ring!

[beearwa]

Does anyone saw elise in the side profile of the KZ1 GT3 or just me?

[FestivAli]

beearwa said:

Does anyone saw elise in the side profile of the KZ1 GT3 or just me?

Tiny bit

[gt196]

i saw the car at Silverstone last weekend. Sounded good, but it is just way way too expensive. Doesnt look all that special either. The 360 challenge that was going round with it was a much nicer car. Shame.

[jellison]

gt196 said:

i saw the car at Silverstone last weekend. Sounded good, but it is just way way too expensive. Doesnt look all that special either. The 360 challenge that was going round with it was a much nicer car. Shame.

That has always been there problem - prototypes been around way to long - pre fezza 360? then looks have not moved on when it hits limited production. Yep way to expensive.

Chap who runs my race series has one (lucky bugger!)

[lap_time]

Could we be seeing a return to the glory days of touring cars? I think so. We've got this baby (which sounds bloody fantastic-Top Gear, thank you!!!), the upcoming 997 GT3 racer, Maser are considering a GT3 version of the Trofeo, likewise BMW with the M6 (though that'll probably be a GT2 car), the Ferrari F430 GT, the GT3 Gallardo being developed by Reiter Engineering, not to mention the promised GT3 version of the DB9... Certainly no GT2 class, anyway (Maser, Maser, Corvette, DB9, 550, Maser, Maser...) . On a side note, though, I wonder why Aston aren't basing the GT3 car off the V8 Vantage? Makes sense to me.

[GrahamG]

The GT3 Aston isn't just promised but is already out testing

So far the new GT3 series in Europe has entries from teams racing Ferrari 430s, Porsche 997s, Viper competition coupes, Corvette Z06s, Maserati Lights, Ascari KZ1 and Venturi Heritage - Further entries with Lamborghini Gallardo and the Lotus Exige look very likely and there is the possibility that the Nissan 350Z and TVR Sagaris might be seen out there too

[archibold]

I believe that the FIA GT3 cars will be at the Silverstone round at the start of May, supporting the FIA GTs which should make for a decent day of sportscar racing.

Expect that we will see a lot more of this class as the cars are relatively inexpensive (compared to GT1) for what they are e.g. 997 £100k, Viper £109k and Aston £185k (from what I have heard).

The Aston set the pace at Paul Ricard in the group test, with the Viper and 997 not far behind. Once performance is equalised it will be interesting to see how the fuel economy of the Aston/Viper plays against the others. The Viper is rumoured to drink nearly two litres per minute ?!

Archibold

[t1grm]

How much is the road version of this?

[jellison]

way north of 200k!!!!!!!!!!

[morrisf]

As a UK Venturi Owner it's nice to see the company are also coming back to GT3 racing in 2006 with three cars one run by the factory and some independent racing teams.
I'll be down at Silverstone in May supporting my Marque.

[sb822]

What race series do you race in Jellison? What spec is the KZ1 the guy has?

[fausto]

[quote=lap_time........I wonder why Aston aren't basing the GT3 car off the V8 Vantage? Makes sense to me.[/quote]

According to DSC Aston Martin Racing will produce a GT2 version of the Vantage V8....

[t1grm]

jellison said:

way north of 200k!!!!!!!!!!

That's is just taking the piss. It's a pretty little car but no way is it in the Zonda/Enzo/CGT/Koinsegg league which at that price ptiches it fairly close.

60-70K maybe.

[jellison]

sb822 said:

What race series do you race in Jellison? What spec is the KZ1 the guy has?

Thoroughbreds - see link on Profiles - brilliant series. Chairman is a Colin Jones - not sure what spec - apart from has the 400bhp 5ltr M5 Engine - so pre their tuning post this. The car took WAY to long to be properly availible - so much now come and gone that is similar or more performance for alot less.

Great car if you can afford it and the Holiday Race track option in Spain!!!!!!!!

[GrahamG]

Ascari Race car costs £225k, Road car £235k

[ahonen]

GrahamG said:

Ascari Race car costs £225k, Road car £235k

That seems a little dear.

Considerably pricier than a Mosler. Bet those BMW engines aren't cheap to rebuild, either.

[racefan_uk]

Pound for pound at the different levels, that puts it into Maserati and Aston Martin GT1 price territory.

On the basis that you can buy a Porsche for a damn sight less, you can buy a Saleen or Corvette for les too etc.

That Ascari is way too expensive. Road or track.

[sb822]

How can it be way too expensive if it's a carbon fibre chassis and body - do you guys know how much this stuff costs?!!! By my reckoning it makes it the most affordable fully carbon car available! How is £235,000 way to expensive when a standard Zonda is £300,000+ and the Zonda F is £400,000? I bet that BMW engine costs them a fortune and I know how much those Cima boxes cost! Remember this car is 3 secs a lap quicker round the Top Gear track than the standard Zonda!