Nobody needs reminding what a wonderful configuration the V12 is for road and race cars - the sound, the smoothness and the power typically produced makes it fairly compelling. Let's call this a renewed appreciation story then, as the number of V12s in motorsport and the mainstream inevitably dwindles.
Last weekend a V12 racing car, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3, achieved something notable: a British GT Championship win in its last competitive outing. More than that, the TF Sport GT3 secured the first British GT title for a female driver, Flick Haigh taking honours with Jonny Adam as teammate. Quite some feat. Next week the turbocharged, V8 GT3 racing version of the new Vantage will be shown at the Nurburgring ahead of its 2019 debut. No doubt a more capable and impressive racing car, yes, but the V12 will be sorely, sorely missed.
To mark the occasion, it only seemed right to honour the Vantage's passing with a Pic of the Week - we did the same for the road car, after all. The keen eyed amongst you might have noticed this image isn't from Donington, but hopefully you'll agree that Spa at sunset is rather more evocative than a dreary Derbyshire. What an utterly fantastic looking racing car.
In a bumper POTW edition this week, see below for a Vantage GT3 onboard video too; it only seemed right to include one having lauded the V12 so heavily. With the highlights reel from last week blighted by commentary, this video - Flick Haigh's pole lap from Oulton - gives you unadulterated V12 music. You'll want the volume up...
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