The Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain returns for its third successive season in 2012 at Silverstone on April 29.
In 2011 Karsten Le Blanc and Dan de Zille were crowned champions, with Tom Black and Alan Bonner taking second and Chris Kemp and Stuart Hall third. Many of these drivers will be battling it out again to decide who will be the champion in 2012.
While Aston Martin Racing has recently launched the newly upgraded 2012 specification Vantage GT4 with additional aero, for this season’s Challenge the upgrades will not be allowed.
“The new rear wing and front dive planes make such an improvement to the performance of Vantage GT4 that we decided it would not be fair to allow them in this year’s series as the Challenge is all about racing on equal terms. Once more of our customers have upgraded then we may well allow them in 2013.”
As in previous years the GT4 Challenge races have been carefully planned, with the race, qualifying and practice being held on a single day and, where available, optional testing sessions held the day before races.
Many drivers own and race their own cars, while others choose to buy a seat from one of the many existing teams, allowing them to just turn up and drive.
At the request of many of the drivers who competed in 2011, the majority of races in the 2012 calendar will be run over two hours, with one 3-hour race included on the calendar.
2012 Calendar
28 April - Silverstone (National) - 90 min
12 May - Oulton Park (International) - 120 min
4-5 June - Brands Hatch (Indy) - 120 min
14-16 June - Aston Martin Le Mans Festival*
13-14 July - Brands Hatch (Grand Prix) - 60 min
29 July Donington Park - 120 min
14-15 Sept - Spa-Francorchamps - 150 min
29 Sept - Snetterton 300 - 180 min
* The Aston Martin Le Mans Festival is an additional race and not included as a round within the GT4 Challenge of Great Britain