Aston Martin a décidé d'intensifier son implication sur les compétitions de véhicules historiques, via la création d'Aston Martin Heritage Racing, une structure qui regroupera toutes ses activités et proposera notamment une nouvelle série baptisée « AMHR Festival Series ».
Aston Martin Heritage Racing a tout d'abord uni ses forces avec Masters Historic Racing, l'un des plus prestigieux promoteurs et organisateurs de courses de véhicules historiques au monde, en devenant son partenaire automobile officiel. Le constructeur de Gaydon fournira ainsi les pace-cars (des modèles Vantage) de MHR, et dès 2019 plusieurs modèles Rapide AMR prendront également la piste.
Sur certains meetings du MHR dont celui organisé sur le Paul Ricard du 29 au 31 mars, l'Aston Martin Heritage Racing Track Experience permettra également aux propriétaires de modèles Aston Martin qui le désirent, de prendre la piste avec leur modèle ou de piloter un véhicule mis à disposition par l'organisation.
Par ailleurs Aston Martin devient le partenaire officiel de l'Aston Martin Masters Endurance Legends Series, qui accueille des véhicules ayant participé aux 24 Heures du Mans et à la série ALMS en catégories prototype et GT entre 1995 et 2012. Durant cette période, Aston Martin a notamment fait évoluer en piste la sublime DBR9 GT1 ainsi que le prototype Aston Martin DBR1-2 LMP1 décoré aux couleurs du pétrolier Gulf.
Enfin l'AMHR Festival Series créé spécialement pour les modèles Aston Martin de compétition (GT1, GT2, GT3, GT4 et GTE), et développé suite au succès de l'Aston Martin Racing Le Mans Festival organisé au Mans en 2012, 2015 et 2018, permettra aux fans de la marque d'admirer ces voitures lors de l'édition 2019 de Silverstone Classic (26 au 28 juillet) ainsi que dans le cadre des 6 Heures de Spa-Francorchamps (27 au 29 septembre).
A new Aston Martin Heritage Racing Festival Series will headline a three-year partnership between Aston Martin and the Silverstone Classic
The series will be open to all non-current Aston Martin GT class race cars, including DBR9s and Vantage GT2/GT3/GT4/N24/GTE models, as well as specials including the Vulcan.
After the Silverstone Classic race in 2019, a second event is planned for the Spa Classic Six Hour meeting in late September and then a possible expansion to three races in '20.
Factory Aston Martin GT racer Darren Turner will take a driver coaching role with the new series.
"We are immensely proud that Aston Martin not only has chosen to become a major event partner but also to launch its amazing new Aston Martin Heritage Racing Festival Series at the Classic," said Nick Wigley, Silverstone Classic CEO.
"Everyone loves Aston Martin and, with its wide-ranging presence throughout the event, this year's festival will be all the more special for all-comers."
Aston Martin recently opened a new state-of-the-art, high performance test and development base at Silverstone and it presence at the Classic will be increased by the supply of pace cars as well as other off-track activities.
Confirmation of the new Aston Martin race is the final addition to the 21-race Classic programme, which covers almost 100 years of motorsport history.
Entries range from the Le Mans Bentleys of the early 1920s right up to Aston Martin GT cars from as recently as 2018
Aston Martin has also strengthened its presence in historic racing by partnering with Masters Historic Racing to become the title sponsor of the Masters Endurance Legends series.
The Masters race series for recent Le Mans and ALMS prototypes and GT cars in 1995-2012 will be renamed Aston Martin Masters Endurance Legends.
The six-race schedule includes the Silverstone Classic, as well as Paul Ricard, Monza, Magny Cours, Nurburgring and Spa.
The format allows for one or two drivers per car with a mandatory pitstop in races between 30 and 40 minutes.
For 2019, Masters will also co-host the newly-announced Aston Martin Heritage Racing Festival Series.
The AMHR Festival Series will comprise two events in 2019, expanding to three race weekends in '20.
Co-hosted by Masters Historic Racing, the first race will be at the Silverstone Classic and the second at the World Endurance Championship's Spa weekend in late September.
Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO, said: "The creation of Aston Martin Heritage Racing draws together our various historic motorsport activities and provides a platform from which we will continue to extend the scope of our presence in the vibrant and hugely popular international historic racing scene."
