Aston Martin Vantage GT2

Last updated

Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2
Le Mans 2013 (9347460898).jpg
The No. 97 V8 Vantage GTE at the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans
Category LM GTE
Constructor Aston Martin Lagonda LTD
Successor Aston Martin Vantage GTE (2018)
Technical specifications
Chassis Bonded aluminium chassis with carbon fibre panels
Suspension (front) Double wishbone with adjustable Koni dampers
Suspension (rear)Double wishbone with adjustable Koni dampers
Engine Aston Martin (Jaguar AJ37) [1] 4,475 cc (4.5 L; 273.1 cu in), all aluminium, 32 valve 90° V8, naturally aspirated, 450 bhp (336 kW; 456 PS), 500 N⋅m (369 lb⋅ft), FMR
Transmission 6-speed sequential manual
WeightFIA 1,150 kg (2,540 lb)
ACO 1,175 kg (2,590 lb)
Fuel Total Excellium 98 unleaded
Total Quartz 9000 lubricants
Competition history
Notable entrants Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Aston Martin Racing
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Drayson Racing
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg TF Sport
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Beechdean AMR
Debut 2008 Grand Prix of Long Beach

The Aston Martin Vantage GT2 is the most powerful racing variant of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage family. The Vantage GT2 is based on the V8 engined Aston Martin Vantage road car but is designed to run on both standard race fuel or E85 bio-ethanol.

Contents

Development

Drayson-Barwell's V8 Vantage GT2 at the car's debut, the 2008 American Le Mans Series at Long Beach. Drayson-Barwell Vantage GT2.jpg
Drayson-Barwell's V8 Vantage GT2 at the car's debut, the 2008 American Le Mans Series at Long Beach.

Debuting in 2008 the GT2 is designed to meet FIA and ACO GT2 class regulations, the Vantage will become a customer car for use in the FIA GT Championship, American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series, and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Aston Martin Vantage GT2's engine is a modified version of the standard 4.3-litre AJ37 V8 from the road car. The larger 4.5-litre engine retains the road car's cylinder block, heads and crankshaft, but uses competition components, including cylinder heads, con-rods, valves, camshafts and a racing exhaust system. The developed engine features a dry sump lubrication system allowing the engine to be positioned low in the chassis, for an optimised centre of gravity. [2]

The car uses the original bonded aluminium chassis supplied by Aston Martin, but uses carbon fibre panels (exc roof) and features front splitter, rear diffuser, rear wing and a flat floor.

The V8 Vantage GT2 has been tuned to be capable of running E85 ethanol or normal racing fuel, dependent on the racing series. [3]

Drayson Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT2 racing in the Le Mans Series at Silverstone Circuit in 2009. Drayson Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT2 Silverstone 2009.JPG
Drayson Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT2 racing in the Le Mans Series at Silverstone Circuit in 2009.

Aston Martin Racing has confirmed the entry of two upgraded GTE-Spec Vantage GT2s in the inaugural World Endurance Championship with a works team. Both the upgraded cars will debut in tests in January. They are reported to 'wear' Gulf liveries, much like those of the GT and Prototypes of Aston Martin have before.

A total of 9 chassis were built. [4]

Racing history

Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2 saw its racing debut at the 2008 Grand Prix of Long Beach, driven by Paul Drayson, a former Minister of State in the United Kingdom, and Jonny Cocker, 2004 British GT Champion. The car will also be run on E85 fuel. [5]

James Watt Automotive ran the V8 Vantage GT2 in the Le Mans Series 2008, [6] although the car failed to make the start of its debut race due to mechanical problems.

Drayson Racing ran the V8 Vantage GT2 in the Le Mans Series 2009.

It was confirmed that the JLOC would use a V8 Vantage GT2 in 2010 Super GT season. The Car was run under the name Aspeed triple A Vantage GT2

JMW Motorsport ran the V8 Vantage GT2 in the Le Mans Series 2010. [7]

JMW Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage GT2 at Autosport International in 2010. JMW Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage GT2 .JPG
JMW Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage GT2 at Autosport International in 2010.

Aston Martin Vantage GT2's have also raced in many other series including the Le Mans Series and Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Two Vantages also raced at the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans: Jota Racing AMR and Gulf AMR Middle East. Both cars ultimately retired, one with mechanical issues and the other after losing control and spinning off the circuit, injuring the driver Mark Wainwright and damaging the car too seriously to continue.

Gulf AMR Middle East Vantage GT2 - Petit Le Mans 2011 PLM 2011 60 Aston Martin.jpg
Gulf AMR Middle East Vantage GT2 - Petit Le Mans 2011

Upgrades and GTE Version

For the 2012 season, Aston Martin Racing returned to a GT based program, after an ill-fated attempt the previous season with their LMP1 class petrol-powered contender, the AMR-One. With the Vantage GT2's specification varying slightly from the updated Le Mans GT2 (now GTE) regulations, development took place with the car relaunched as the Vantage GTE.

Major upgrades

Primarily, this focussed on serviceability, a major drawback on the outgoing Vantage GT2. This included creating a new modular construction implementing a series of detachable bars in the front structure, allowing the engine to be pulled straight out of the car. This now allows the engine change process to be completed in less than an hour without any effect on suspension settings, unlike the old configuration, which could take upwards of four hours. The rear suspension and subframe have also been modified to aid serviceability. To increase safety, the fuel cell has been repositioned within the roll cage to reduce the risk of damage to its structure in an accident.

Secondary upgrades

Other upgrades include reductions in weight throughout, including weight reductions for many individual components such as the battery. [8]

Improvements also included a new CFD-derived front-bumper, side skirt and rear wing - the latter an evolution of the Le Mans aero package which the Automobile Club de l'Ouest allowed the Aston Martin Racing team to run on the car for the entire season - "Aston Martin Vantage: The rear wing used at Le Mans in 2011 will be used during all the 2012 season with a 15 mm gurney and at Le Mans 2012 without gurney". [9] Modifications also improved cooling for the driver, a significant concern on the old model, which plagued Drayson-Barwell's 2008 ALMS season. [10]

Complete Competition results

Complete American Le Mans Series results

Results in bold indicate pole position. Results in italics indicate fastest lap.

YearEntrantClassDriversNo.1234567891011PointsPos
Flag of Florida.svg
SEB
Flag of Florida.svg
STP
Flag of California.svg
LBH
Flag of Utah.svg
MIL
Flag of Connecticut.svg
LRP
Flag of Ohio.svg
MOH
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
ELK
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
MOS
Flag of Michigan.svg
BEL
Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg
ATL
Flag of California.svg
LGA
2008 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Drayson-BarwellGT2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul Drayson 00711RETRET10RET8RETRET8249th
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonny Cocker 11RETRET10RET8RETRET8
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Darren Turner RET
Flag of Florida.svg
SEB
Flag of Florida.svg
STP
Flag of California.svg
LBH
Flag of Utah.svg
MIL
Flag of Connecticut.svg
LRP
Flag of Ohio.svg
MOH
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
ELK
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
MOS
Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg
ATL
Flag of California.svg
LGA
PointsPos
2009 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Drayson Racing GT2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul Drayson
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonny Cocker
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob Bell
007RET0NC
Flag of Florida.svg
SEB
Flag of California.svg
LBH
Flag of Connecticut.svg
LRP
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
MOS
Flag of Ohio.svg
MOH
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
ELK
Flag of Maryland.svg
BGP
Flag of California.svg
LGA
Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg
ATL
PointsPos
2011 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Gulf AMR Middle East GTE Am Flag of France.svg Fabien Giroix
Flag of Germany.svg Roald Goethe
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Michael Wainright
60RET40NC

Complete FIA GT Championship results

Results in bold indicate pole position. Results in italics indicate fastest lap.

YearEntrantClassDriversNo.12345678PointsPos
SIL

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg

ADR

Flag of Italy.svg

OSC

Flag of Germany.svg

SPA

Flag of Belgium (civil).svg

BUD

Flag of Hungary.svg

ALG

Flag of Portugal.svg

PAU

Flag of France.svg

ZOL

Flag of Belgium (civil).svg

2009 Flag of France.svg Hexis Racing AMR GT2 Flag of Germany.svg Stefan Mücke 8072107th
Flag of France.svg Frédéric Makowiecki 72

Complete Le Mans Series & European Le Mans Series results

Results in bold indicate pole position. Results in italics indicate fastest lap.

Le Mans Series
YearEntrantClassDriversNo.12345PointsPos
CAT

Flag of Spain.svg

MNZ

Flag of Italy.svg

SPA

Flag of Belgium (civil).svg

NUR

Flag of Germany.svg

SIL

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg

2008 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Watt AutomotiveGT2 Flag of South Africa.svg Alan van der Merwe 93DNS7213th
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Stéphane LémeretDNS
Flag of Denmark.svg Michael OutzenDNS7
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tim Sugden 7
CAT

Flag of Spain.svg

SPA

Flag of Belgium (civil).svg

ALG

Flag of Portugal.svg

NUR

Flag of Germany.svg

SIL

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg

PointsPos
2009 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Drayson Racing GT2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonny Cocker 878710RET13RET14RET112th
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul Drayson 8710RET13RET14RET
LEC

Flag of France.svg

SPA

Flag of Belgium (civil).svg

ALG

Flag of Portugal.svg

HUN

Flag of Hungary.svg

SIL

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg

PointsPos
2010 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg JMW MotorsportGT2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob Bell 9212RET16RET4633010th
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Darren Turner 12RET16RET463
LEC

Flag of France.svg

SPA

Flag of Belgium (civil).svg

IMO

Flag of Italy.svg

SIL

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg

EST

Flag of Portugal.svg

PointsPos
2011 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jota GTE Pro Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sam Hancock 926RET57115247th
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Simon Dolan 6RET57115
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Buncombe 11
European Le Mans Series
LEC

Flag of France.svg

DON

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg

PLM

Flag of the United States.svg

PointsPos
2012 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gulf Racing GTE Am Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stuart Hall 6940NC
Flag of Germany.svg Roald Goethe4
The Vantage GTE at the Silverstone round of the 2012 World Endurance Championship Vantage GTE 97, Silverstone WEC 2012.png
The Vantage GTE at the Silverstone round of the 2012 World Endurance Championship

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References

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  4. "DSC's Daily Notebook (04/09/2023)". Daily Sportscar. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
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  9. ["LM GTE Pro"], Endurance Committee
  10. ["Licence to Le Mans"], Greenlight TV