Final Roar: 2008 Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 – A Racing Legend’s Last Note

Final Roar: 2008 Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 – A Racing Legend’s Last Note

Full details & bid : rmsothebys.com

The End of an Era: The 2008 Aston Martin DBR9 offered here represents the culmination of Prodrive’s production of the iconic and widely admired GT1 racer. As chassis number 109, this example holds the distinction of being the final one of the reported 17 DBR9s completed between 2005 and 2008. Bearing a three-digit chassis designation, it was specifically built for a customer racing team. Purchased by Danish driver Jan Struve, this DBR9 was campaigned by Fischer Racing. In a significant partnership with Aston Martin for the inaugural FIA GT1 World Championship season in 2010, the team competed under the banner of Young Driver AMR. This close relationship with the factory provided access to esteemed Works drivers Tomáš Enge and Stefan Mücke, who joined the team’s regular driver, Christoffer Nygaard.

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FIA GT1 Campaign: Following two crucial test days at the Paul Ricard circuit, where long-standing Aston Martin racer Darren Turner also had the opportunity to drive, DBR9/109 made its competitive debut in Abu Dhabi in April 2010. Sporting a striking red and white livery, the car was piloted by the duo of Nygaard and Mücke. They demonstrated promising pace, securing a strong 4th position in the qualifying heat. However, their main race was unfortunately cut short due to steering issues. The Aston Martin returned to the track the following month for the prestigious Tourist Trophy at Silverstone. Despite a suspension fault hindering their qualifying performance, the car excelled on its home turf, particularly through the circuit’s fast, flowing corners. Starting from 23rd on the grid, and despite suffering a puncture caused by contact with Romain Grosjean’s Ford GT, Mücke drove a remarkable race, bringing the DBR9 to finish 6th on the road, less than a second behind 4th place. Ultimately, the car was classified in 5th position after a sister Young Driver AMR DBR9 was disqualified.

Spa Endurance Challenge: Later in May 2010, the car was entered in the renowned 1000 Km of Spa endurance race. Starting from 29th on the highly competitive multi-class grid, Nygaard unfortunately lost control of the rear of the car at high speed through the famous Blanchimont corner on lap 82, resulting in a spin into the tyre wall. While the driver thankfully emerged uninjured, the front-end of the DBR9 sustained significant damage in what would prove to be its final front-line competitive outing.

Rebirth and New Livery: Despite the accident damage, Fischer Racing retained chassis number 109. Utilizing their other DBR9 as a reference, they meticulously built a jig and mapped crucial reference points. By late 2011, the front bulkhead had been replaced, the car was fully rebuilt, and a distinctive Gulf livery was applied before undergoing a successful shakedown session in Spain. Three years later, the car’s powerful 5.9-liter V-12 engine underwent a comprehensive repair by the experts at Prodrive. An accompanying parts invoice totaling £12,763 details the replacement of essential components, including new trumpets, water and oil pumps, exhaust valves, and the airbox, ensuring the engine’s continued performance. The car was then acquired by its second and current owner towards the end of 2015.

Ready for Historic Racing: Today, this significant DBR9 is presented in a vibrant green and yellow color scheme, reminiscent of the Aston Martin Racing entry from the 2006 edition of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, a tribute to its racing heritage. It has also been upgraded with a new, modern data-logging system, providing valuable insights for historic racing endeavors. The car retains its original in-built air jacks, facilitating quick pit stops, and a water pre-heater, essential for engine management. With its racing pedigree and meticulously maintained condition, chassis number 109 is ideally suited for prestigious historic race series such as Peter Auto’s Endurance Racing Legends (including the coveted Le Mans Classic support race) and the Masters Endurance Legends series, pending inspection by the FIA and the acquisition of a Historic Technical Passport. This represents a unique opportunity to acquire the very last DBR9 built, a piece of Aston Martin racing history ready to thrill on the historic racing stage.

Engine and Performance: Powering this formidable racing machine is a naturally aspirated 5,935-cc all-alloy V-12 engine. This sonorous powerplant delivers an impressive 625 brake horsepower, providing the exhilarating performance necessary for GT1 competition. The engine is coupled with a state-of-the-art six-speed sequential Xtrac transaxle, allowing for rapid and precise gear changes, crucial for maintaining momentum on the track. This combination ensured the DBR9 was a competitive force in its era and continues to offer a thrilling driving experience.

Summary

  • Final DBR9 chassis built by Prodrive (chassis #109)
  • Competed in the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship (5th at Silverstone)
  • Contested the 2010 Spa 1000 Km
  • 5,935-cc V-12 engine (625 bhp)
  • Six-speed sequential Xtrac transaxle
  • Two Danish owners from new
  • Rebuilt after Spa incident
  • Presented in 2006 Le Mans-inspired livery
  • Eligible for historic race series

**Disclaimer: Information provided is for general informational purposes only and is based on available details. Potential buyers are advised to conduct their own thorough inspection and verification of any vehicle.

AI Assistance: Gemini

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