Trio of Aston Martins for Nürburgring 1000KM - 20.08.2009

Aston Martin Racing will enter three Gulf liveried LMP1 challengers in the penultimate round of the Le Mans Series, the ADAC 1000km of Nürburgring on the 23 August 2009.

The ADAC 1000km of Nürburgring was established in 1953 and Aston Martin has a rich history in the race having triumphed at the prestigious endurance classic for three years running in 1957, 1958 and 1959 with the Le Mans winning DBR1.

It is fitting that 50 years on from Aston Martin winning the World Sportscar Championship, the British marque will return with a bolstered effort to aid its chances of securing the Le Mans Series title in 2009. Aston Martin Racing is currently second in the Teams Championship standings, four points behind Pescarolo Sport. Aston Martin Racing will also take three cars to the final round of the season at Silverstone on the 13 September.

“Following on from Le Mans where we entered three cars it will be great to see all of our Aston Martins back on track at the Nürburgring where we will be trying to secure as many points as possible in our championship chase,” said Team Principal, George Howard-Chappell. He adds: “We tested at the Nürburgring in June which should help us with the set-up however, it is clear from the Algarve race that we have serious opposition.”

In addition to running an extra car the team will see several changes to the driver line-up for the two remaining races of the season. The driving squad for Nürburgring will include 007 regulars Jan Charouz (CZ), Tomas Enge (CZ) and Stefan Mucke (DE).

Tomas Enge: „In LMP1 there´s a very close fight. We currently lose two points to the leader with two rounds remaining. First place is rated with ten points, second place with eight points. Well, it´s clear: to winning Le Mans Series we have to defeat Pescarolo for at least two points in both events. In 1000km of Nürburgring, there will start also third car of Aston Martin Racing. I suppose #008 will help us in fight for LMS win.“

Jan Charouz: „I like Nürburgring a lot, it´s a nice circuit. We had a test session there earlier this season, so we should be prepared well. Nürburgring should suit our car better then Algarve, Portugal. Well, I suppose we could beat our rivals and do big step forward to the title. Unfortunately, I suffer sunisitis. I hope I recover as soon as possible.“

Stefan Mucke: „I´m looking forward to Nürburgring. It´s my home round of Le Mans Series, so I know the circuit very well and I like it. In previous seasons we did well there. In 2007 we finished fourth, last year we achieved fifth and also the best petrol-engined car at all. In 2008 we also achieved the best qualifying´s result of the season at Nürburgring – we defeated two diesel-cars and finished third. For this year´s race we are prepare well. We´ll do everything to win the fight with Pescarolo.“ 

In the 008 car, Aston Martin Racing welcomes Chris Buncombe (GB) who is new to the team and Stuart Hall (GB) who drove the Aston Martin for the first time at the Le Mans 24 hour race in June. Completing the 008 line-up is Portuguese driver Miguel Ramos who moves over from the 009 crew.

Aston Martin regular Darren Turner (GB) will pilot the 009 LMP1 car together with Swiss driver Harold Primat.

British driver Chris Buncombe is excited about the prospect of driving for Aston Martin Racing: “It is great to be back in the Le Mans Series again. I previously competed in this championship in 2007 in an LMP2 car so to step up to LMP1 and with such a great car is a fantastic opportunity for me. It is certainly going to be a challenge, jumping straight into a new car with no testing, so the pre-race sessions are going to be really important.”

2009 British Racing Drivers’ Club Superstar, Stuart Hall is looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the Aston Martin LMP1 car for the second time, “It is fantastic to be back in the Aston Martin after Le Mans. I have competed in the Nürburgring 1000km for the last two years so I know the circuit quite well but it will be great to go back there with a factory team with a great chance of success.”

The three one-hour practice sessions prior to the race will prove invaluable for Buncombe who will drive the car for the first time on Friday at 12:55 and again at 16:55.  The third free practice session takes place on Saturday morning at 08:45 prior to a 20 minute qualifying session at 14:05 later the same day.

Photogallery

Photo: Aston Martin Racing

Photo: BPA/Milan Bydžovský

Photo: BPA/Milan Bydžovský

Photo: BPA/Milan Bydžovský

Photo: BPA/Milan Bydžovský

Photo: BPA/Milan Bydžovský

1000 km of Nürburgring schedule: 

1000 km Nürburgringu on TV (Sunday August 23):

Current drivers´ standings to find HERE
Current teams´ standings to find HERE
Current manufacturers´ standings to find HERE 

LE MANS SERIES 2009 SCHEDULE

08-09/03		Le Castellet (tests)
03-05/04		1000 km Barcelona
25-26/04		Le Mans (tests)
08-10/05		1000 km Spa-Francorchamps
31/07-02/08		1000 km Algarve
21-23/08		1000 km Nürburgring
11-13/09		1000 km Silverstone