The Phoenix Racing/Aston Martin Austria DBRS9 is currently 2nd in class and 4th overall at the ADAC 24-hour race after making a blistering start in treacherous conditions at the Nϋrburgring.
Following a two-hour delay to the start of the race due to torrential rain, Klaus Ludwig rapidly advanced from a starting position of 4th with a remarkable start to take an overall lead at the Nϋrburgring ahead of a staggering 218 other entrants. Following a stop for a tyre change as wet conditions subsided, the DBRS9 dropped slightly down the order and at three hours into the race, occupied 4th position overall (2nd in class) with Sascha Bert now at the wheel and the adverse weather conditions now having fully cleared.
Aston Martin’s Head of Product Communications & Motorsport, Dave King said: “It was an unbelievable start from Klaus (Ludwig) in the DBRS9 – he did really well to take the lead from a starting position of fourth on the first straight.”
Both of Aston Martin’s Vantage N24s have made solid progress in the opening three hours to establish positions inside the top 40 overall, having been inside the top 30 just before making their first driver changes of the race. The team – made up entirely of volunteers from the company’s Gaydon headquarters – have already been forced to contend with two early pit stops to change from wet tyres to slicks early on in proceedings.
The number eight Vantage N24 occupied 6th position in the SP8 class (36th overall), with Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez having taken the wheel shortly after 7pm (EST) for his first stint.
Speaking shortly before taking the first stint in the number 8 car, Chris Porritt – Aston Martin’s Vehicle Dynamics Manager – said: “It’s important to escape the initial traffic on the circuit during the first stint – especially in light of the weather conditions.”
The Vantage N24 driven by Porritt is equipped with Aston Martin’s new automated manual Sportshift transmission, rather than a conventional stick-shift manual, providing drivers with greater precision and comfort. On the transmission, Porritt added: “It makes it easier for the driver – I can channel 100% of my concentration on the track ahead and of course, it is a little more comfortable too.”
Aston Martin’s second Vantage N24 occupied 5th place (34th overall) with Oliver Mathai calmly negotiating the frantic starting conditions and advancing from a starting position of 41st (6th in class). Belgium-born Stephan Lemeret, began his first stint just after 7pm.
The fourth Aston Martin – a Vantage N24 from Herreman Racing, one of the first customer N24s to be seen racing competitively – is 10th place in class at three hours after making steady progress from a starting class position of 11th.
-ends-
A live GPS tracker system is also available for both Aston Martin Vantage N24s, available via the following links: