ASTON MARTIN GT4 CHALLENGE CELEBRATES CENTENARY YEAR WITH MOST EXCITING SEASON TO DATE

Company press release.

The Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain – a single marque championship in which Vantage GT4 drivers battle it out on the UK's most exciting circuits – is set to return for a fourth season this year, with the opening round at Silverstone offering a VIP Le Mans Centenary Festival driving experience as top prize.

The GT4 Challenge of Great Britain is a unique opportunity for drivers of all abilities to compete in the latest Aston Martin race cars in endurance events on some of the best circuits in the UK and Europe.

This season kicks off at Aston Martin Racing's home track, Silverstone, and, in celebration of 100 years of the luxury car manufacturer, the winner will receive a free entry into the Aston Martin Le Mans Parade; a parade lap of the famous Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe alongside 99 other Aston Martins on the morning of the famous race, as well as full VIP hospitality for the race weekend.

James Walters, senior sales manager at Aston Martin Racing comments: 'There has never been a better year to be part of the GT4 Challenge or, in fact, to be involved with Aston Martin. The Aston Martin Le Mans Parade will be a fantastic display of the brand's best road cars ever built and the VIP hospitality package we've put on makes this one of the best ways to see Le Mans.'

Closer to home, the GT4 Challenge competitors will be entered into a race at the Aston Martin Centenary Festival at Brands Hatch in July; a two-day event which includes race cars and road cars dating from the pre-war period right up to today.

'The GT4 Challenge has proved to be a great success, which is why we are here at the start of our fourth season,' continues James. 'The pre-season test session last week went well and each of the new drivers who came to taste the excitement of the championship now plans to start racing with us this year.

'The two centenary celebrations make this year the most exciting year to be part of the Challenge. We have also added extra marketing and PR support for teams as well as linking up with Daily Sports Car as a media partner to cover each round.'

In each of the seven rounds, Challenge competitors race head-to-head in V8-powered Vantage GT4s with 445 bhp engines, paddle-shift transmissions and the aero kit. The cars are powerful and easy to drive with a 50:50 weight balance and driver aids such as race-developed ABS and traction control.

This year, Aston Martin Racing is opening up the championship and inviting GT3 drivers to enter the GT3 Cup, which will take place at three of the seven Challenge rounds; Silverstone, Donington Park and the Aston Martin Centenary Festival at Brands Hatch GP circuit.

As many as 15 Aston Martin Vantage GT4s take to the track at each of the series' seven rounds. Abilities range from novice through to accomplished drivers so the championship is ideal for those new to the sport while remaining highly competitive at the front of the grid.

The Vantage GT4 is race version of the Vantage road car but with performance upgrades such as racing brake system, ABS and traction control, Koni adjustable racing suspension and safety features including an FIA roll cage and racing fuel tank. Drivers can experience the comfort and durability they would expect of the road car but with enough speed and handling to offer one of the top amateur driving challenges in the UK.

The first round of the 2013 season takes place at Silverstone on 6 April. For further information about the GT4 Challenge of Great Britain, the Aston Martin Centenary Parade at Le Mans or the Aston Martin Centenary Festival at Brands Hatch, contact James Walters: jwalters@astonmartinracing.com or visit www.astonmartin.com/gt4challenge.

posted on conceptcarz.com