Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin’s previous CEO, was a big racing fan and drove his fair share of Aston Martin racecars in endurance events during his tenure in Gaydon. His successor, Andy Palmer, appears to be following in his footsteps, with Aston Martin announcing he will drive a V8 Vantage GT4 in the Dunlop Britcar 24 Hour Race.
Scheduled during the April 24-26 weekend, the 24-hour race will be held at the world-famous Silverstone Circuit in the UK. Andy Palmer will share driving duties with three teammates: Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, British motoring journalist Andrew Frankel and 22-year-old racer Alice Powell.
For Aston Martin’s CEO, the Dunlop Britcar 24hr Race will be his first competitive outing in an Aston Martin track car for an endurance event. “I’ve done some GT4 racing in the past but this will be my first attempt at a 24-hour event. I don’t underestimate the challenge, but the Vantage GT4 has a superb record in long distance racing and I know I’ve got a great team alongside me,” Palmer said.
To prepare for the challenge, the executive has been training with Aston Martin Racing star driver Darren Turner at his Base Performance Simulators facility in Banbury, as well as getting to grips with the V8 Vantage GT4 on track.
Palmer’s teammate (and subordinate) Marek Reichman successfully raced a Vantage in the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge series in 2011 and is an experienced historic sports car racer.
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4 N430 shared by Palmer, Reichman, Frankel and Powell will sport the livery of one of the brand’s technology partners, Castrol, with further support from long-term partner Immun’age.
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