Aston Martin V8 Vantage goes rallying - honestly !!

[autofocus]

Hi there,

In this weeks Autosport it is reported that Subaru Factory WRC driver and Aston Martin racer Stephane Sarrazin will contest the opening round of this years French Rally Championship in an Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
Apparently Frederic Dor at Prodrive had requested development of the car. The Vantage will race against many of the leading WRC cars including Citroen Xsara WRC and Peugeot 307 WRC, it will also race against another slightly unconventional car the Porsche 911 GT3.
Sarrazin is quoted as saying "With all that horsepower going through the rear wheels, it will be quite hard to keep up with the World Rally Cars. I'm out for a good weekend, though".

Click the links below for a few pics of the car in testing and also a shot from the first days stages.

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/35
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/52
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/37
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/83
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/32
http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/82
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/29
www.rallyegirl.info/galleries/Rallyes_2006/Lyon_Charbonniere/parc_vendredi_matin/IMG_1653.jpg
www.rallyegirl.info/galleries/Rallyes_2006/Lyon_Charbonniere/Verifs_jeudi/IMG_1623.jpg
www.sportauto.org/Rallyes/2006/Lyoncharbo/Originales/015_01.jpg

Regards

Tim

[shadytree]

quality

never thought I'd see one go Rallying

[RoadsportCoUk]

Interesting.

As I said was at Gaydon this week and was told that the V8 raced a couple of weeks ago and was doing so again this weekend (possibly in Germany)....... It was being kept relatively hush hush and would be released to press next week.....

Did mention 2 cars........ I wonder if they men rallying not racing ?

[autofocus]

Hi there,

Would you believe they meant Rallying and Racing.
An Aston Martin V8 Vantage competed in a race recently at the Nurburgring.

Heres some pics: -

www.tiresmoke.de/gallerys/2006_vln_01/images/IMG_1744.jpg
www.tiresmoke.de/gallerys/2006_vln_01/images/IMG_4054.jpg

Regards

Tim

[RoadsportCoUk]

It is an amazing vehicle.......... the whole of the engine and drive train can be un bolted and removed in one go..........

also the front has 3 crumple sections for safety........ all of which can replaced if you have a really heavy front on..........

[blakbetti]

this car is in the workshop at work - its GORGEOUS