Published: May 13, 2012

Aston Martin Coming to Nurburgring 24 Hours with Eight Vantage Racers

Including a pair of V12-powered Vantage GT3 models and the magnificent V12 Zagato Concept.

For the seventh consecutive year, Aston Martin will compete in the ADAC Zurich Nurburgring 24 Hours. Eight Vantage racers are ready to compete in the endurance epic, with four official Aston Martins, including two V12-powered GT3s, and four customer cars. Over 170 cars will feature in the 24-hour race, and for the first time, a pair of GT3s will compete in the senior SP9 category for FIA-homologated GT3 cars in association with their official partner team Young Driver AMR.

Aston Martin Coming to Nurburgring 24 Hours with Eight Vantage Racers

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The lead Vantage GT3 will carry the iconic #007 designation and be driven by Johannes and Ferdinand Stuck, sons of triple winner Hans-Joachim, alongside Dennis Rostek and Darren Turner, Aston Martin Racing's factory driver. The #006 will be driven by Turner's regular works team-mate Stefan Mucke. The spectacular V12 Zagato concept that made its maiden Nurburgring 24 Hour run in 2011 returns to the event lead by the engineering department. Targeting a successful finish will be CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez, Chief Engineer Chris Porritt, Aston Martin Nurburgring Center Director Wolfgang Schuhbauer, and motoring journalist and racer Richard Meaden.

Ahead of the race, Dr Bez said: "Our 100 per cent finishing record in thirteen starts in one of the world's toughest endurance races is remarkable; truly a testament to the reliability of our cars and the efforts of our people. "I am delighted to be returning again to drive our V12 Zagato with my engineering team, but also to have such an exciting step up with the V12 Vantage GT3s." The fourth official entry, a V8-powered Vantage, will be run by Aston Martin's Nurburgring Test Center team. The 40th ADAC Zurich Nurburgring 24 Hours will start at 4pm on 19 May.