Aston Martin Racing launches new GT race car

[zerinVR6]

Aston Martin Racing has unveiled the DBRS9, a competition car for club and national racing series, and a bridge for teams and drivers looking towards international GT racing.

The DBRS9 is based on the DB9 road car, but shares many design features from the full GT1 specification DBR9. It uses the road car’s aluminium bonded chassis with a DBR9-based roll cage. Aston Martin Racing’s engineers have tuned the standard 12 cylinder, six litre engine to produce approximately 550bhp (an increase of 20%) and reduced the overall weight by 480kg, to increase the power to weight ratio to nearly 430 bhp/tonne. Much of this is down to the extensive use of carbon composite materials for all the body panels (except the roof) and on the interior trim, as well as polycarbonate side and rear windows.

The DBRS9 has a six-speed H-pattern gearbox with new, shorter ratios for competition use, which can be upgraded to a full sequential racing box. The car’s ride has been lowered and the double wishbone suspension has been rose jointed and fitted with two-way adjustable Koni dampers and stiffened competition springs.

While Aston Martin Racing’s focus has been to optimise the DBRS9’s performance, it has also been designed with practicality in mind. Both the seat and steering wheel are easily adjustable, and there is the option of a passenger seat, for demonstration drives. Removable body panels, a modular chassis and a package of spares simplify service and maintenance.

"There are many people who want to race Aston Martins competitively in everything from the occasional track day to weekend club or national series races," said David Richards of Aston Martin Racing. "The DBRS9 opens GT racing up to more enthusiasts and with its levels of performance will offer aspiring racing drivers the experience of a GT racing car without the complexity associated with running a full GT1 car."

The DBRS9 will start at £175,000 plus options and taxes. The cars will be built to order at Aston Martin Racing’s headquarters in Banbury, UK with first deliveries expected later in 2005.

Dr Ulrich Bez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin, said: "Positioned between the road going DB9 and the 2005 Tourist Trophy winning DBR9, this car will make a racing experience more accessible to Aston Martin race enthusiasts. It reinforces the DB9’s performance potential and inherent racing qualities."
http://www.dubspeedracing.com/module...&threadid=5786

[Dorian]

[Mobil1]

Its good to see Aston Martin getting back in to racing.

[p51]

looks like the new XK8 on first glance

[Hotrodguru]

Dude that car made it's debut like 2 months ago at Sebring. Watch it though at LeMans.

VIDEO - http://www.astonmartinracing.com/gallery/videogallery

Guru

http://www.astonmartinracing.com/

[Mobil1]

Actually, I think its a different car.

The DBR9 is a Prodrive/Aston Martin built car that is factory backed for Le Mans competition and if my understanding is correct the DBRS9 is the Aston Martin equivelant of a Porsche Cup car sold to privateer teams.

[zerinVR6]

Wrong car, smart guy. That's the DBR9. This is the DBRS9, and considering it made it made its debut at Le Mans 2 days ago, you are mistaken.

The DBRS9 is based on the DB9 road car, but shares many design features from the full GT1 specification DBR9. It uses the road car’s aluminium bonded chassis with a DBR9-based roll cage. Aston Martin Racing’s engineers have tuned the standard 12 cylinder, six litre engine to produce approximately 550bhp (an increase of 20%) and reduced the overall weight by 480kg, to increase the power to weight ratio to nearly 430 bhp/tonne. Much of this is down to the extensive use of carbon composite materials for all the body panels (except the roof) and on the interior trim, as well as polycarbonate side and rear windows.

Reading comprehension > You.

[Hotrodguru]

Originally Posted by zerinVR6 Wrong car, smart guy. That's the DBR9. This is the DBRS9, and considering it made it made its debut at Le Mans 2 days ago, you are mistaken. Reading comprehension > You.

Good point, and thanks for the correction. They're essentially the same car, the DBRS9 seems to be a de-tuned version to run in GT. Don't know but the norm means it will have a lower RPM limiter set for the engine, smaller fuel capacity and probably won't be allowed extensive use of exotic materials in the car per GT rules.

Guru

[Mobil1]

I was under the impression that the DBR9 was built to compete in the GT2 class, not GT1, doesn't it compete with the C5-R/C6-R Corvettes?

[Hotrodguru]

Originally Posted by Mobil1 I was under the impression that the DBR9 was built to compete in the GT2 class, not GT1, doesn't it compete with the C5-R/C6-R Corvettes?

Yeah man, they're always changing the names of the classes, etc... Man now I'm all confused, haha. Well the DBR9 is currently in 1st racing in GT1 at LeMans. What doesn't make sense is if the new DBRS9 is indeed built to compete in GT2, why aren't' they running one at LeMans?

The Aston and Vette are officially GT1 (Aston Martin D, Corvette C6-R, Ferrari 550 M) cars this time. The other classes at LeMans are LM1 (Audi R8, Pescarolo Judd, Dallara Nissan), LM2 (WR Peugeot, Courage - CG) and GT2 (TVR Tuscan T40, Panoz Elan, Porsche 911 GT, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).

Guru

[thechori]

hmm, that car looks meaaaaaan.

[Mobil1]

Originally Posted by Hotrodguru Yeah man, they're always changing the names of the classes, etc... Man now I'm all confused, haha. Well the DBR9 is currently in 1st racing in GT1 at LeMans. What doesn't make sense is if the new DBRS9 is indeed built to compete in GT2, why aren't' they running one at LeMans? The Aston and Vette are officially GT1 (Aston Martin D, Corvette C6-R, Ferrari 550 M) cars this time. The other classes at LeMans are LM1 (Audi R8, Pescarolo Judd, Dallara Nissan), LM2 (WR Peugeot, Courage - CG) and GT2 (TVR Tuscan T40, Panoz Elan, Porsche 911 GT, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR). Guru

What the hell, theyve changed everything!

[NikkaPleez]

Originally Posted by thechori hmm, that car looks meaaaaaan.

[Bomb0314]

thats bad ass... i like this new forum tooo... :-)... i get to scroll around and look at car pics ....



and woot bc its my 1000th post