2006 Aston Martin DBR9

Development of the Aston Martin DBR9 began in mid-2004 and was the result of a partnership between Aston Martin and Banbury, England-based Prodrive. It was based on the DB9 road car and made its public debut in November of that year. The aluminum/composite chassis/tub of the DB9 was modified to incorporate a Prodrive-designed rear sub-frame and a high-strength multi-tubular frame/roll cage, over which the body panels, all formed in carbon fiber composite, bar an aluminum roof, were fitted. The rear and side windows were formed in polycarbonate. The suspension was comprised of double wishbones and coil springs at all four corners, which were suitably stiffened and lowered. Braking was provided by 13-inch ventilated, carbon-ceramic Brembo discs at all four corners, with six-pot calipers residing behind 18-inch OZ forged magnesium wheels. The front wheels measured 12.5-inches while the rear size was 13 inches. Aerodynamic modifications included an additional air intake and front spoiler/splitter at the front, a flat floor and a high wing and diffuser at the rear.

The DB9's 5,935cc quad-camshaft V-12, all-alloy engine was modified to produce 625 horsepower. It was given a six-speed sequential Xtrac transaxle.
In comparison to the DB9, the DBR9 weighed 610 kg less, with an overall weight of 1,100kg - the minimum allowed in GT1.

The basic cost was £450,000 plus taxes. In June 2005, the DBR9 was joined by the £175,000 (plus taxes) DBRS9, a similar machine but less complex than the DBR9, aimed at privateers in international GT events. The DBRS9 had the same substructure, chassis, roll cage, body panels, suspension and brakes as the DBR9. Differences included the H-pattern, six-speed manual transaxle, a 550 horsepower engine and weighed 1,280 kg.

The Works cars were chassis numbers DBR9/1 through DBR/10. Customer cars were DBR9/101 onwards. For 2006 and 2007 there were two officially Works-backed teams, Larbre Competition and BMS Scuderia Italia. The Larbre Competition team contested the LeMans Endurance Series while the BMS Scuderia Italia contested the FIA GT Championship. The AMR itself concentrated mainly on the Le Mans 24 Hours, along with selected international events.

The current private owner purchased this DBR9 (chassis number 9) prior to its first race, on the basis that he would take possession of it in race-ready, refurbished condition once its racing career was over.

In 2006, Aston Martin Racing BMS would finish 2nd in the GT1 Teams Championship. DBR9/9 had aided in this accomplishment by finishing 3rd in Silverstone's three-hour RAC Tourist Trophy on its race debut. Fabio Babini/Fabrizio Gollin also took third at the Brno 500 KM with Babini/Mateo Malucelli repeating the position at the Hungaroring 500 KM.

DBR9/9 was one of four AMR BMS chassis, and was uniquely equipped with a data acquistion system to facilitate tire development.

In the LeMans Endurance Series, AMR Larbre took both the GT1 Team and Drivers Championship. They also finished in a very close 2nd place in the American Le Mans Series. The DBR9 also won the FIA GT Championship's manufacturers' title.

For the 2007 season, DBR9/09 captured 6th in class at Le Mans with Babini/Jamie Davies/Malucelli, backing up AMR's class winner, AMR Larbre's 3rd in class and AMR's 4th. DBR9/9 also took 3rd place at the Oschersleben Two Hours with Davies/Babini but at the following Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours, its racing career ended when it suffered a major crash.

Since the accident, DBR9/9 has been rebuilt with a new chassis tub, complete with fully refreshed engine, transmission, and running gear.

The owner took possession of the car in 2008, and also received the original chassis. Since that time, it has remained unused in his collection, apart from a bi-annual startup and check-over by AMR BMS.

The Aston Martin DBR9 made its racing debut in 2005 at the Sebring 12 Hours where it finished fourth overall and first in the GT1 class, along with setting the fastest lap. Later, a privateer would go on to win GT1 in the Nürburgring 1000 KM and take overall victory in the FIA GT Championship round at Bahrain.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2017