FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE

The countdown to the world’s first ever Aston Martin one-make series has begun in earnest with the official test for the Aston Martin Asia Cup taking place on 9 March, whetting the appetite for the first race on 23-25 May at Shanghai.

The sleek, elegant lines of the Vantage N24s mixed with the ever growing, heady passion for motorsport in Asia is sure to make an electric mix in a championship which will run 12 races over seven rounds, with support slots at the prestigious Shanghai and Singapore F1 Grand Prixs on the calendar.

Organised by Aston Martin Racing, and with the highly experienced Ian Ross Geekie at the helm as Series Director, this Championship offers a stunning prize for the victor – a fully-sponsored season in a Vantage N24 in the 2009 FIA GT4 Championship. Given the unrivalled service offered to competitors, in what can be argued to be one of the most exciting ‘arrive and drive’ package in motorsport today, the standard will inevitably be high and extremely competitive. The drivers will be tested in both sprint and endurance race formats.

The Aston Martin Vantage N24 GT racing cars boast a 4.3litre, 410bhp V8-engine. All cars are prepared to FIA GT4 regulations and have been hand-built to Aston Martin’s high calibre, bespoke requirements. The technical expertise of Aston Martin is echoed with the welcoming of Michelin as Series Partner. With Michelin supplying their innovative and high performing tyres, the drivers are assured they can take on Asia’s most challenging circuits with gusto.

A high level of coverage in Asia, the world’s most dynamic region, will be enhanced by massive television coverage, notably in China, through the series’ partnership with Auto Media China (AMC). AMC will syndicate coverage globally with a good level of international interest anticipated.

With such an exciting inaugural season on the cards, the series is drawing interest from drivers both regionally and further afield.

So those drivers who feel it shouldn’t just be James Bond having fun behind the wheel of an Aston Martin are invited to contact Ian Geekie +6012-3812078 or e-mail: IanGeekie@astonmartinasiacup.com for further entry information.

2008 Aston Martin Asia Cup Provisional Calendar

09-Mar Beijing Goldenport Circuit, China Official Test

May 23-25 Shanghai Int.Circuit (AGT Celebrity race) Rd 1 + 2

June 20-22 Sepang Super GT, Malaysia Rd 3 + 4

July 11-13 Sepang MSS,Malaysia Rd 5 + 6

August TBC Rd 7 + 8

September 26-28 Singapore F1 GP Rd 9

October 17-19 Shanghai F1 GP, China Rd10

November 1-2  Shanghai Le Mans, China Rd 11 + 12

Please note the provisional calendar is subject to changes.