Aston Martin Ready with 5 Cars for Le Mans

Aston MartinAston MartinUnited Kingdom, 1914 > present62 models
1872 photos
24 videos
is expecting a very good performance in the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans, and it should with five Vantage GTEsAston Martin Vantage GTEUnited Kingdom, 2012 > present4 photos
1 video
split between the two GT classes. It is Aston Martin's largest factory effort ever in the race. At the Le Mans test on June 9 the brand had the fastest cars in both the GTE-Pro and GTE-Am classes.

“Running five cars smoothly for 24 hours, however, is going to be a huge challenge. We are very well prepared, thanks to our hard-working team, and we are incredibly focused but we know that there is fierce competition in both GTE classes. Our ambition is to be on that podium in both classes; our desire is to be on the top step – that would be the most fitting way to celebrate Aston Martin’s centenary year," said Aston Martin Racing Team Principal John Gaw. 

While all five cars will carry the Gulf livery in the race, the #97 car wears a special version of the classic paint scheme. Gulf invited fans to create a new design for the car using the classic orange and blue palette. The livery cuts the car into thirds in light blue, dark blue and orange and dark blue. Through each section there are dynamic stripes of the other colors. The car's drivers - Darren Turner, Stefan Mücke and Peter Dumbreck - selected the winner.

For the rest of the GTE-Pro class, Pedro Lamy, Paul Dalla Lana and Bill Auberlen will drive the #98 car, and Bruno Senna, Fred Makowiecki and Rob Bell will drive the #99. 

In the GTE-Am class, Allan Simonsen, Kristian Poulsen and Christopher Nygaard will drive the #95, and Jamie Campbell-Walter, Stuart Hall and Roald Goethe will drive the #96. 

Jonny Adam and Richie Stanaway are the reserve drivers in case any of the team's drivers are unable to race. 

Off the track, Aston Martin has set up a tent near the track where all of its current models and a collection of classic Aston Martins will be on display. Among them will be the CC100 conceptAston Martin CC100 Speeds...United Kingdom, 2013 > 2013.