Aston Martin’s #99 Vantage GTE, adorned its new NorthWest livery, became one of the first competition cars to ever be granted permission to drive on the streets of São Paulo this week (28 August 2013) when it joined cars representing each of the FIA World Endurance Championship’s (WEC) four categories, in a roadshow before thousands of fans.
The event was organised to celebrate and promote the WEC’s Six Hours of São Paulo, which takes place this weekend (1 September) at the Interlagos circuit on the edge of the city. The #99 Vantage GTE was driven in front of the city’s famous Museu de Arte Moderna by Brazilian works driver Bruno Senna.
Senna will be joined by international GT ace Rob Bell (GB) for the six-hour race and the car will bear the new NorthWest livery, courtesy of its extended partnership with Aston Martin Racing for the São Paulo race.
NorthWest is a real estate firm based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The company is focused on investment and development of healthcare real estate in key international markets including Brazil, where it owns hospitals and clinics in Brasilia, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Paul Dalla Lana, President of NorthWest and Aston Martin driver in car #98, commented: “We are excited to expand our partnership with Aston Martin Racing in the World Endurance Championship. Being able to do so with Bruno Senna in Brazil, one of our most important markets, is an added bonus. We look forward to a fantastic weekend of racing.”
Also on the wing mirrors of the car for the race this weekend will be the Instituto Ayrton Senna logo showing Aston Martin’s support for the foundation set up in memory of the Brazilian three-time Formula 1 world champion and uncle to Bruno. The non-profit organisation prepares more than 75,000 teachers in more than 1,300 Brazilian municipalities each year, benefiting more than 2 million children and young people.
Bruno Senna comments: ”Taking motorsport to the people of São Paulo is really great and to drive the Aston Martin Vantage GTE on the streets of my home town was fantastic. The car looks great with its new NorthWest livery and I’m proud to be driving in my home race with the charity set up in memory of my uncle, Ayrton Senna”.
“Rob [Bell] was a fantastic team-mate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and I’m looking forward to racing alongside him again. I think we have a good chance of winning the GTE Pro class of this race and it would be a dream come true to win an FIA World Championship race at my home circuit of Interlagos”.
The #99 car is one of five Aston Martin Vantage GTEs competing in the Six Hours of São Paulo. Three cars will contest the GTE Pro class and two will challenge for the GTE Am class win.
The WEC Six Hours of São Paulo starts with qualifying at 14:35hrs on Saturday 31 August with the race starting at 12:00hrs on Sunday 1 September. Follow the team’s progress at www.astonmartin.com/racing on Facebook www.facebook.com/astonmartinracing or on Twitter using @amr_official