Aston Martin Challenge gets expanded in 2011

Set to make its return in 2011, the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge will have the number of races increased as well as an expanded grid. As a first step on the GT ladder, this one-make race series is fundamentally based around the V8 Vantage road car.

After a successful inaugural season in 2010, Aston Martin Racing will be expanding the number of races to nine, with two rounds in continental Europe at Spa and Dijon. There will also be two longer races, with three hours of competition. With more teams joining the series in 2011, Aston Martin expects to see the grid grow to 20 cars.

After winning all six races in the 2010 season, father and son Chris and Ant Scragg captured the first title in the GT4 Challenge series. In 2011 Ant Scragg and fellow GT4 Challenge competitor, James Appleby, will be contesting the European GT4 Cup where they will compete in a new 2011 Vantage GT4, running as the Generation AMR team.

The Aston Martin Vantage N24 and GT4 are the cars allowed to compete on the GT4 Challenge. The list also includes the new reviewed Vantage GT4 for 2011. In order to enhance competitive racing, there will be mandatory pit stops and teams will be able to opt between one, two or three drivers.

“This year showed what demand there was from Aston Martin owners for their own one-make series and it is because of their positive feedback and their suggestions that we are expanding the series next year and including longer races,” said Aston Martin Chairman, David Richards. “I was fortunate to have competed at the Silverstone round this year and I fully intend to get behind the wheel again in 2011; this time in the new Vantage GT4.”