Rapide race version to run the 24 Hours of Nürburgring

At this year’s 38th ADAC Nürburgring 24-hour race Aston Martin will be competing with the brand’s new four-door sports car: the Rapide. In the legendary Nordschleife circuit the Rapide will be joined the V12 Vantage, as Aston Martin returns to the German race for the fifth consecutive year.

The Rapide will be competing in the demanding 24-hour race in near-standard specification, besides the mandatory changes requested to enter the race. The car will be driven by a team of engineers from the company’s Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire, England.

Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez who will be leading the Rapide driver team, explained: “This race represents the ultimate final engineering durability test for any sports car – it subjects the car to the toughest possible assessment under public scrutiny.”

“The Rapide has the capability to carry four people in comfort but first and foremost it is a sports car and we will subject it to the same tests we would our other sports cars. We already have a proven track record at the Nürburgring racing our road cars with limited modification and in recent years we have enjoyed success in winning the SP8 class both in 2008 and 2009”, he added.

To start at Nürburgring’s 24 Hours race the Rapide will suffer essential race safety modifications, have its interior trim removed to reduce weight, be fitted with a re-tuned suspension and run on slick tyres developed for track use.

The 38th ADAC Nürburgring 24 hour race will take place on 15/16 May 2010.