Aston Martin Racing returned to the Nürburgring on 11 October to support the entry of the Aston Martin Austria DBRS9 in the DMV 250-Meilen-Rennen VLN race. The DBRS9 last competed on the famous Nordschleife circuit in the 24-hour race in May and the team used the recent VLN race as part of its testing and development programme for 2009.
Driven by Tomas Enge of the Czech Republic and Austrian Robert Lechner, the number 92 DBRS9 caused a stir in the packed pit lane in its new Gulf Oil livery and even more of a stir when Enge qualified in third place.
During the race, which was shortened by an hour due to persistent fog early in the day, Enge ran a remarkable pace in his first stint, chasing the leader hard and setting the second fastest race lap of 8:14.750.
Lechner kept the Gulf Oil liveried DBRS9 in contention for a podium finish during his stint but a puncture in the penultimate lap of the race with Enge at the wheel turned a podium finish into a close fourth overall.
Commenting on the race, Enge said, “It is obviously a pity, but there is nothing you can do when you have a puncture. We had said before the start that this race would be primarily used as testing for the 2009 Nurburgring 24-hour race and from this point of view we are satisfied. We have learned many new things; I can drive here on the limit, to race on such a demanding track as the Nordschleife is very valuable experience.”
Also representing Aston Martin in the race were Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Dr Ulrich Bez partnered by Aston Martin Programme Manager Chris Porritt, who took third in the SP8 class in their Vantage N24 and Austrian Richard Karner who, partnered by Aston Martin Test Centre Director Wolfgang Schuhbauer, claimed fourth in the SP8 class in his first VLN race outing in his Jetalliance Vantage N24.
