Aston Martin Brussels and GPR Racing AMR will celebrate the 100th birthday of the prestigious British make mainly on Belgian home soil. The magnificent Aston Martin Vantage GT3 will be one of the stars on the grid of the Belgian BRCC Championship, and of course, the car will be present during the one of the most prestigious GT races in the world, the Spa 24 Hours. A further part of the car’s programme could be a selection of races in the International GT Open series. In the BRCC, the car will be driven by Damien Dupont, Tim Verbergt and newcomer in the team, Bert Redant.
A hundred years of history, a landmark for the make indeed, and this birthday calls for a stylish celebration. José Farasyn, the team manager explains:
“A 100 years ago, racing competition was the feeding ground for the first Aston Martin. Lionel Martin raced in the Aston Hill Climb, thereby writing the first chapter of a magnificent history. Aston Martin became a big name in racing, when American Caroll Shelby and his British teammate Roy Salvadori raced to victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours edition of 1959. But for one lap, this edition could have been won by the Belgian Aston DBR 1 of Paul Frère and his French teammate Maurice Trintignant. 2007 and 2008 saw further Aston Martin Le Mans victories in the GT class. We are thrilled to celebrate this rich racing heritage with an ambitious entry in the BRCC, the Belgian Endurance championship. Our drivers Damien Dupont, Tim Verbergt and Bert Redant will have to face fierce competition from other reputed teams, and the whole team is really motivated to have a go at the title! Details of our BRCC programme will follow shortly.”
The BRCC is the Belgian Endurance championship, with six races of mostly 3 hours. The opening round will take place during the weekend of the FIA GT Series at Zolder, while other rounds are planned during the weekends of the Spa 24 Hours and the GT Open at Spa.
A new name in the team’s trio of drivers is Bert Redant, who finished second last year in the Zolder 24 Hours.
Says Bert Redant: “I am extremely happy to be part of this magnificent team. Already the fabulous name of Aston Martin appeals to everybody’s imagination. I guess that Damien’s speed, Tim’s experience and my input will be most important to play a leading role in the championship. It ‘s clear that I can’t wait to start the 2013 season!”
Last but not least, Michael Schmetz and Pierre Grivegnée will also defend the team’s colours in the BRCC Endurance, this time at the wheel of an Aston DBRS9, the first GT3 of the British make.
Rendezvous for the season’s opener on the 20th and 21st of April at Circuit Zolder!