Chassis Overview: Aston Martin DBR9

Prodrive the outfit most known for their championship winning World Rally Subarus announced in late 2004 that it would return to international sports car racing with an Aston Martin GT race car. Based on Aston Martin's DB9 road car, the DBR9 would be a purpose built racing machine designed to be raced in the world's top sports car racing series, namely the American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series in Europe, the FIA GT Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This image was released with the initial announcement of the program to give a clue as to what to expect from the endurance racer.


Much to the applause of the automotive world, the car was unveiled in early 2005, and it's easily one of the most beautiful GT racing cars of all time. Draped in Aston's traditional Chiltern Green with yellow "lipstick", the new GT1 machine pays homage to Aston Martin racers of the past, and also carries the #59, which was the last year that the fabled marque won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Intial plans were to build a total oe 32 cars, 12 "works" factory backed cars and another 20 sold to private teams and collectors. Only 16 cars ended up being produced though. Aston Martin Racing planned to make their race debut at the 2005 12 Hours of Sebring in America, taking on the formidable factory Corvette team.

The DBR9's 6.0 liter V12 produces upwards of 625hp and with a six speed sequential gearbox, the 2800 pound car is an absolute rocket that makes all the right sounds! In the last 4 years the car has become one of the most successful modern sports racing cars with victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans, and twice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans! Aston Martin assigned 3 teams to run "Works" factory supported cars, the factory's own Aston Martin Racing (Prodrive), BMS Scuderia Italia and Larbre Competition. It's also been run by a handful of successful privateer teams like Team Modena, Jetalliance Racing, and Phoenix Racing to name a few.