Monday 21st May 2018

AMR Le Mans Festival to feature Vulcans!

Aston's one-make race at Le Mans weekend just got a whole lot more interesting...

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For those who miss the glory days of V12s howling around La Sarthe in the June sunshine, some comfort should be taken in today's news from Aston regarding its Le Mans AMR Festival race. Because, for the first time, the grid of Aston racers will feature a pair of Vulcans.

Yep, two 7.0-litre, 800hp, V12 monsters competing in a field of other Aston Martins. The two Vulcans have been entered by the Nurburgring-based Aston Martin Performance Centre, with #8 being driven by Akinari Miura and Toro Nakano and #6 piloted by Gleb Stepanov and Stephen Tomkins.

Among the other 36 motorsport Astons taking part in the 45-minute race are a few celebrity GT4s - Martin Brundle and Chris Hoy are sharing a car, as are Jamie Chadwick and Paul Hollywood - some GT1 and GT2 era Astons plus the outgoing Vantage GT3 car. Expect quite a lot of noise, then...

Andy Palmer, who will also compete in a GT4 car with Peter Cate, said of the upcoming race: "Having taken part in this event in 2015, I can say first-hand it will be a tremendous experience. Moreover, this is a wonderful celebration of all that Aston Martin Racing has achieved since we returned to the sport as a manufacturer. To be able to display so many different iconic Aston Martin racing cars, as well as the stunning Vulcan, in front of 250,000 fans is a testament to the durability of our brand."

The race will commence at 10:15 CET on the Saturday of Le Mans, using the full circuit. Given the calibre of cars and drivers involved, it should make for great viewing ahead of the main event. Finally, don't forget - if you aren't sorted for Le Mans just yet, PH knows some people who can help...

[Wammer]

Will it be broadcast on TV?

[Mr.Jimbo]

This was my highlight of 2016, mainly because a mate works for Aston so we got behind the scenes and all but seeing all the different Astons was mega. Best bit was letting the LMP loose 15 mins after the race started because they weren't allowed to fuel and it would run out if not

Can't bear the glorious din of AMs at LeMans

[MG CHRIS]

The out going vantage is a gte car not gt3 car.