Le Mans Preview: Aston Martin returns to site of their most legendary victory ...

Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,

On June 21st 1959, Aston Martins finished 1st and 2nd in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Now fifty years later the British manufacturer returns to the scene of their biggest victory with a contender for the overall win. This is the first time Aston Martin competes in the premier class at Le Mans since 1989. Today we kick off our 24 Hours of Le Mans coverage with a look at two of Aston Martin's current Le Mans cars, the 1989 entry and of course the 1959 winner.
The Aston Martin Racing team will field two Lola-Aston Martin B09/60s next weekend to try and win the race for the first time in fifty years. In addition to the Works entry a similar car will be entered by a satellite team and a fourth 2008-spec Aston Martin engined Lola. The Gulf liveried machines already scored a victory earlier this season and are the most likely challengers for the diesel engined Audis and Peugeots.
Also making its Le Mans debut is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2. A single example is entered by Drayson Racing and will be campaigned by Lord Drayson, Johnny Cocker and Marino Franchitti. The rumbling coupe is an outsider for a podium finish.
Aston Martin's most recent attempt to clinch an outright Le Mans win was in 1989 with the AMR1. Powered by a booming V8, the car was still well under development when it campaigned at Le Mans. The program unfortunately was canceled prematurely after owner Ford also added Jaguar to their stable.
A decade of racing came to fabulous close with the one-two 1959 Le Mans victory. It was achieved with the DBR1, which had been gradually developed to a successful endurance racer since its debut in 1956. In addition to winning Le Mans, Aston Martin was also crowned World Champion. Our DBR1 article is illustrated by 24-shots of four of the five cars built. Included is chassis DBR1/2, which not only won Le Mans but also five other major races, making it the most successful Aston Martin racing car ever built.

Enjoy the links:

[url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/3539/Aston-Martin-V8-Vantage-GT2.html]2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2 - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

[url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/636/Aston-Martin-AMR1.html]1989 Aston Martin AMR1 - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

[url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/637/Aston-Martin-DBR1.html]1956 - 1959 Aston Martin DBR1 - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

[url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/4024/Lola-Aston-Martin-B09-60.html]2009 Lola-Aston Martin B09/60 - Images, Specifications and Information[/url]

Regards,
Wouter Melissen