Aston Martin Racing has launched the Aston Martin British GT4 Challenge, the first time there has been an official factory one make series for the British marque in the UK.
The series starts in April at Snetterton and finishes six races later in October after visiting Silverstone, Spa Francorchamps, Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Donington. The series is exclusively for the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 and Vantage N24 with races ranging in length from 90 to 150 minutes.
“We have built more than 60 Vantage GT4s in the last three years and while they are all eligible to compete in GT4 championships, many owners have told us they would like to be able to compete exclusively against identical cars,” said Roland Cherry, director of GT4 racing. “By creating the GT4 Challenge, we have been able to give our customers the opportunity to compete on some of the best and most iconic race circuits in the world.”
Each entry can have up to two drivers and each event has practice, qualifying and the race in the same day. The races will be supported by Aston Martin Racing engineers with a spares support truck, while cars will be scrutineered at each event and will be subject to control tyres to help ensure competitive racing. The winning team will get the opportunity to test drive either the Aston Martin Vantage GT2 or the Aston Martin DBRS9 (GT3).
The Vantage GT4 is built to FIA GT4 regulations and requires no modifications to compete in the British GT4 Challenge series. Aston Martin Racing currently has four cars in build which can be made available in time for the series.
The Vantage GT4 is closely based on the Vantage V8 road car, but with modifications to make it suitable for racing. It retains the road car’s active safety systems, including dynamic stability control, traction control, ABS and electronic brake force distribution. There is also an option of a manual or sportshift gearbox.
The car has already been successful this year winning its class in the first major international race of the year, the Dubai 24 Hours.
The Aston Martin British GT4 Challenge:
April 5 Snetterton
May 22 Silverstone
June 5/6 Spa Francorchamps
June 26 Brands Hatch
August 21 Oulton Park
October 9 Donington Park
Photos:automotive