Thursday, November 29th, 2007
The V8 Vantage which had previously completed 100,000 miles of durability testing was driven from Tokyo to London in a 10,000 mile feat of endurance taking 49 days and crossing through 18 countries.
Driving Home Road Safety was a project aimed to highlight the toll of children’s deaths n the world’s roads and was supported by the Make Roads Safe and Road Safety is no Accident campaigns. The project aims to raise more than €100,000 for UNICEF China to provide road safety tools such as educational books and reflective tape to help reduce the horrific child death toll on China’s roads.
Drivers Richard Meredith and Phil Colley skilfully guided the Vantage through terrain unbefitting to a low slung sports car, experiencing extreme heat, incomplete roads, and bureaucracy to hamper their progress.
David King, Head of Product Communications said: “I am delighted the car performed faultlessly for what was the V8 Vantage’s most challenging test to date.
“China is our newest market, so it is particularly fitting that we are already able to contribute to the local and national community.”
Richard said: “Our V8 Vantage behaved perfectly despite occasional low grade fuel which was all we could lay our hands on in the ‘Stans’, and the rough terrain experienced – we didn’t experience a single problem with the car.
“The car is a piece of history now, and I am thrilled that Aston Martin has decided on its auction,” said Richard. “In the same amount of time it took us to complete our 49 day trip an estimated 150,000 people were killed on the world’s roads – a figure which includes 25,000 children. I hope that the money will go someway to help resolve this tragic problem.”
The car will be sold in its original form complete with sponsors’ livery, dirt and knocks from the trip. All money raised from the auction will be sent to the UNICEF China fund.
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Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
Aston Martin is launching an exciting new one-make race series for Asia. This follows the announcement of two new Aston Martin dealerships in Shanghai and Beijing.
Called the Aston Martin Asia Cup (AMAC), the series starts in 2008 and will consist of 12 races throughout the Asia Pacific region including China, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. Each race will feature a grid of 18 Aston Martin Vantage N24s, a 4.3 litre race-developed evolution of the V8 Vantage which has been proven in endurance and sprint races in Europe and the Middle East.
The AMAC will include a variety of 30 minute sprint races and longer endurance races, some of which will support Formula One events in the region. The series will provide a stable, well-regulated racing environment with competitive racing in equal equipment provided by the series’ organisers. Competitors will be able to ‘arrive and drive’ thanks to a comprehensive service package which includes: engineers and technicians, logistical support, hospitality and accommodation, race entry, and a comprehensive spare parts package. Drivers may be able to enter with their own teams, subject to approval by the series organisers.
Dr Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive Officer, Aston Martin said: “When we announced plans to build the Vantage N24 for customers in 2006 we were very confident it would make a great choice for a one-make series. I am delighted that we are able to announce the Aston Martin Asia Cup for 2008, it will help greatly in communicating our brand values, performance, and product durability in this exciting new market.”
The Vantage N24 is built to international FIA GT4 regulations by Aston Martin Racing in the UK, who will also provide technical support for the series. The car has a V8 engine producing 410 bhp and weighs just 1350 kg. The 18 AMAC cars have the latest automated manual Sportshift transmission, for fast precise gear shifts, and all the cars are equipped with roll cages, safety fuel tanks, race seats and harnesses, and fire extinguisher systems. The cars will be serviced at the Aston Martin Beijing service facility at the city’s Goldenport race circuit. Aston Martin Beijing will be offering a special factory collection option, which will see customers receive expert instruction on the Goldenport track and an opportunity to drive a Vantage N24.
The AMAC series director is Ian Ross Geekie. Ian brings a wealth of motorsport experience as a series organiser, team manager and race driver in the Asia Pacific region. Ian has previously worked with several premium automotive marques within Asia, setting up a number of successful and high profile racing championships.
In addition to prize money and trophies, the overall winner of the AMAC series will be awarded a sponsored drive in a Vantage N24 in the FIA GT4 series in 2009.
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