Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing has added four-time American Le Mans Series champion Lucas Luhr to its 2011 ALMS driver lineup.

The German will be joining regular drivers Greg Pickett and Klaus Graf for the three major endurance races this season starting with the 12 Hours of Sebring in March.

Luhr will then return to the team for the final two races of the season, the six-hour event at Laguna Seca and the 10-hour/1000-mile Petit Le Mans.

It was at last year's season-ending race at Road Atlanta that Luhr first competed with the Muscle Milk squad, placing second in the famed event.

"I'm very happy to be returning with the Muscle Milk team," expressed Luhr who will also take part in the Sebring Winter Test with the team in a couple of weeks. "We had a good weekend together at Road Atlanta last season and I felt very comfortable with them and I got along well with Klaus (Graf) and Greg (Pickett). I think that is one of the most important things when being part of a team.

"I want to thank Greg for giving me this opportunity to compete with them in the ALMS endurance races this season. It will be the first time I drive a LMP1 coupe so it will be a new experience for me but I am really looking forward to it. I can't wait to get my first feel of the Aston Martin LMP1 at the Winter Test."

Since his first ALMS start in 2000, Luhr has gone on to compete in 69 races, claiming 31 victories, 54 top-three finishes, 61 top-fives and 68 top-10s. He won two GT Championships, in 2002 and 2003, took top honors in the LMP2 Championship in 2006 aboard the Porsche RS Spyder and won the 2008 LMP1 championship as an Audi works driver.

"We're very happy to welcome Lucas back to the team. We had a successful weekend with him at Petit Le Mans last season and truly enjoyed working with him," said team owner and co-driver Greg Pickett. "He is not only a fantastic race car driver but he is also a great ambassador for our team and our Muscle Milk brand.

"I took pleasure in watching him race for us last season but I am really looking forward to having him as my teammate this year," concluded Pickett who will be making a return behind the wheel since his season-ending practice shunt at Mid-Ohio last August.

Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing will be on track in two weeks time to take part in the two-day Sebring Winter Test, which takes place February 9-10.

The 2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón season kicks off with the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 19.

Barwell Motorsport will be contesting the new SRO-promoted Blancpain Endurance Series in 2011. The exciting new European-based championship for GT3 and GT4 cars will be centred around GT racing’s showcase event, the Spa 24 Hours, plus four three-hour race events at Monza, the new Spanish Navarra track, Magny Cours and Silverstone.

The former British GT Championship-winning squad is planning to run one car in each class of the Series, fielding a heavily-updated 2011-spec Aston Martin DBRS9 in the main GT3 category and either a Ginetta G50 or Aston Martin Vantage in the GT4 section. Barwell currently has two very quick and experienced drivers in place for the GT3 entry, and is seeking interested parties for the third seat to form a very strong challenge for outright race wins and the championship title. Meanwhile there is one spot filled for the GT4 entry, with the possibility in this class of running either two or three drivers per car. All interested parties in any of these available seats should contact either Chris Needell or Mark Lemmer on 01372 457788, or email chris@barwellmotorsport.co.uk.

Barwell Motorsport has been a stalwart of the European GT3 scene since its inception in 2006, taking 12 race wins and 30 podiums in British GT and European GT3 series, as well as winning two British Championship titles. During this period we claimed the first outright GT3 national series victories for both Aston Martin and Ginetta, and also posted a historic British GT 1-2-3 podium lock-out result. In addition to this we have previously contested the Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours, finishing 4th in GT3 and 11th overall in 2009 (with GT1, GT2 & GT3 classes).

Tomas Enge and Young Driver AMR team are continuing their cooperation that started last year in the FIA GT1 World Championship. The Czech driver is going to take part in the whole 2011 season with an Aston Martin DB9 of the German team Young Driver AMR.

Tomas Enge did with Young driver AMR the whole season of the FIA GT1 World championship in 2010. The Liberec born driver got together with Darren Turner three podium finishes including win in the home race of the German Team at Nürburgring. Also Czech fans had an opportunity to see Tomáš Enge in fine form, he finished second at Brno after thrilling fight. They were second also in Brazil. Enge with Turner finished fourth in the final championship classification, Young Driver AMR team was fourth among the teams.

Young Driver AMR team and Tomas Enge’s has reached an agreement about continuing to fruitful cooperation and the Czech driver stays on board of the German team in the most prestigious championship of Gran Turismo cars. The season has 1O races during the course of the year and Enge is going to take them behind the wheel of proven Aston Martin DB9 car. The German team wants to attack the highest places after successful debut last year.

The FIA GT1 World Championship enters its second season which starts at the state-of-the-art track in Abu Dhabi at the end of March. Like last year, spectacular Argentine track close to San Luis provides background for the season finale. There are some changes on the calendar of 10 races, there is no race at Brno’s Masaryk Circuit. On the other hand there is a new race in China in September.

Czech TV SPORT 5 is again going to offer live coverage of all races of the FIA GT1 World championship again in 2011. SPORT 5 viewers will have opportunity to watch qualifyings, qualifying races and main races live.

Tomas Enge, Young Driver AMR driver: “I am very pleased that I am going to continue in the FIA GT1 World championship with Young Driver AMR team and Aston Martin DB9 car. I do not know now who will be my team-mate. It is still open who will be second driver. Both the team and I have the same aim for the upcoming season – to finish in the front. However, we had the same aim last year but unfortunately we had some troubles in some races but we all learned from it. The most important is to have consistent results all the time and pick up points everywhere.”

Antonín Charouz, Enge’s manager: “I am very happy that Tomas is going to race again in the FIA GT1 World championship because it is very competitive and appealing series. I think that both Tomas and Young Driver AMR team a very good chance to get in such close competition even better result than last year.”

Erhard Fischer, team principal Young Driver AMR: “I am glad to announce that Tomas Enge is driving for the Young Driver AMR Team in 2011. He was a part of the team last year and I am glad that we managed to have him this year as a driver because he did a good job for the team. It will be an exciting year and we will fight for the championship!”

HEXIS AMR, the runner-up in the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship, is the first team to announce the two driver line-ups for the team’s Aston Martin DB9s in the highest echelon of Grand Touring racing this season. Clivio Piccione, already a member of the French squad in 2010, will team up with Dutch F3 driver, Stef Dusseldorp, while the reigning European FIA GT3 Champion, Christian Hohenadel, will share the other car with one of the most sought-after drivers in the championship, Italian Andrea Piccini.

Team manager, Philippe Dumas, is particularly happy to have achieved his first objective: “We’re proud to announce two complete driver line-ups so early in the season. It confirms our sense of team spirit, and shows that we firmly believe in the future of this world championship. Stéphane Ratel and the whole SRO team have worked very hard to make the second year of the championship a big success. In the wake of our encouraging results in 2010, it’s clear that we’re tackling this new challenge with greater ambitions.”

The four HEXIS AMR drivers in 2011 have not only signed their contracts, they are also ready to take to the track! “Clivio did the first shakedown yesterday at Lédenon,” said Dumas. “Stef will be with him this Tuesday, and we’ll put Christian and Andrea in the car at the end of the week.” The following Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, all four drivers will continue testing at Nogaro. The French team is not doing things by halves, and hopes to have racked up 4000-kms testing in the eight days to come. The winter break has been pretty short as the cars only returned from Argentina on 11th January, and they will be sent to the Middle East on 21st February for the first round of the 2011 championship in Abu Dhabi on 25-26 March.

To help you get to know the four musketeers better, here is some further information.

Clivio Piccione (Monaco)
The man from Monaco made a big contribution to the success of the team in 2010. Hardly had he stepped down from the San Luis podium when he said he would like to continue with HEXIS AMR. Clivio will be able to take advantage of the experience he gained last season, which was his apprenticeship year in GT after a prolific career in single-seaters that almost propelled him into F1.

Clivio Piccione’s bio:
Born 24th February 1984
Karting: 3rd in European Championship and World Championship runner-up (1999); Formula 3: British vice-champion (2002); GP2 Series: 1 race win + 2 podium finishes (2005-2006); World Series Formula Renault 3.5: 2 podium finishes and 1 pole position (2007); Euroseries 3000: 1 podium finish (2008); A1 Grand Prix: 1 podium finish and 1 pole position (2008/2009); 12th in FIA GT1 World Championship with HEXIS AMR, 1 podium finish (2010).

Stef Dusseldorp (The Netherlands)
21-year-old Stef will be the youngest member of the team, and the tallest as well as he measures 1.90m! He had a successful career in F3 with several victories, and he filled the runner-up spot in the 2009 German ATS Cup. He took on the cream of international F3 drivers in the Macao Grand Prix and on home turf in the Zandvoort Masters. HEXIS AMR is determined to help him make a success of his debut in Grand Touring Car racing, as he has a lot to learn.”

Stef Dusseldorp’s bio :
Born 27th September 1989
Karting: European Championship finalist (2004-2005-2006); Formula Renault 2.0: 5th in Northern European Cup, 1 race win (2008); Formula 3: ATS Cup vice-champion, 2 race wins, 15th in Macao Grand Prix (2009), 4th in ATS Cup, 2 race wins (2010).

Christian Hohenadel (Germany)
The German has something in common with HEXIS AMR, a European FIA GT3 Championship title, which the team scored in 2009 and its new driver in 2010. The two parties got to know each other during the German Championship, the ADAC GT Masters, in 2008. At the wheel of the HEXIS AMR Aston Martin DBRS9 GT3, Christian set pole at the Lausitzring followed by two podiums shared with his new team manager, Philippe Dumas. Christian then won the Sachsennring round with Fred Makowiecki on the day of his thirty-second birthday, and scored another podium finish the next day. Last year, in addition to his title, he won the Michelin Trophy rewarding the quickest driver in the European FIA GT3 Championship-winning team to help him move up a step to the FIA GT1 World Championship.

Christian Hohenadel’s bio:
Born 20th September 1976
Formula Palmer Audi: Junior Vice-champion (2000); Touring cars: 3rd in Alfa 147 German Cup (2003), 5th in Seat Leon Super Copa Germany (2005-2006); GT cars: 5th in ADAC GT Masters, 1 race win (Aston Martin GT3 HEXIS Racing, 2008), 4th in ADAC GT Masters, 1 race win (Corvette GT3, 2009), FIA GT3 European Champion, 4 race wins, Michelin Trophy winner (Corvette, 2010).

Andrea Piccini (Italy)
For the first time an Italian will defend the HEXIS AMR colours, and not just anyone, as Andrea Piccini has accumulated an exceptional set of results at the wheel of the most prestigious GT coupes: GT2 Ferrari F430, Maranello F550 and F575s, Audi R8 LMS, Porsche 997 GT3R, Lamborghini Murcielago, Lister Storm Jaguar and the Maserati MC12, without forgetting the Lola-Judd LM P2 prototype and the Corvette he drove in last year’s FIA GT1 World Championship. Aston Martin, though, has a special place in his heart as he drove the English car to second place overall in the Spa 24 Hours, and he also came second in the GT1 category in the Le Mans 24 Hours. He filled the runner-up spot in the FIA GT International Championship in an Aston Martin DBR9, the forerunner of the current FIA GT1 World Championship. All he lacks is a world title!

Andrea Piccini’s bio
Born 12th December 1978
3rd in Formula Opel Lotus Euroseries (1998); Formula 3000 (1999-2000-2001); Minardi F1 test driver (2001); 4th in FIA GT Championship, 4 race wins (Ferrari 550, 2002); 4th in FIA GT Championship (Lister Storm, 2003); 2nd in Le Mans 24 Hours’ LM GT1 class and FIA GT championship runner-up (Aston Martin, 2006); 4th in Le Mans 24 Hours’ LM GT1 class (Aston Martin, 2008); 5th in Le Mans Series LMP2 championship, 1 race win (Lola Judd, 2009); FIA GT1 World Championship, 1 podium finish (Corvette, 2010).

The ten rounds of the FIA GT World Championship will be held in Asia, Europe and South America between March and December 2011. Watch this space!

Kronos Racing has submitted an entry request to the organizers of the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans for a Lola-Aston Martin LMP1 with Vanina Ickx as first designated driver. The Belgian team, which in recent years has collected an impressive string of successes in rallying for Peugeot and Citroën (European Champion in 2003 with Bruno Thiry, WRC Junior title in 2005 with Dani Sordo, WRC Champion in 2006 with Sébastien Loeb and IRC Champion in 2008 with Nicolas Vouilloz and in 2009 with Kris Meeke)goes back to its roots, track racing, with a Le Mans project. In 1999 and 2000, Kronos Racing’s Peugeot 306 GTIs had won another great endurance race, the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Vanina Ickx was part of the effort at that time.

Last year, Vanina Ickx drove the Lola-Aston Martin at Le Mans and in some events of the Le Mans Series. This year, Orbello Racing, owner of this outstanding sportscar, has entrusted Kronos Racing to prepare and race the car. The agreement covers the 2011 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (pending the acceptance of the entry by the organizers) and possibly, other events of the Le Mans Series (LMS) and the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC), depending on budget deals currently being discussed. At the moment, Vanina Ickx is the only driver already appointed.

“We are extremely motivated to take up this challenge", commented Jean-Pierre Mondron and Marc Van Dalen, managers of Kronos Racing. “Le Mans is one of the very mythical races in motorsports and it would be a privilege to compete in it, especially in the LMP1 category and with such a performing car. For some time, we have been looking forward to going back to endurance racing at the highest level and the opportunity we now have with Vanina Ickx is a fantastic one. We are at the initial stage of the project, still discovering the car and the new environment, but our team has proven in the past to be able to diversify and adjust quickly. We have taken all the necessary administrative steps with the ACO and await with confidence the decision of the selection committee”.

Kronos Racing

Fujitsu V8 Supercar driver and team owner Ben Eggleston is the newest addition to the ranks of the 2011 Vodka O Australian GT Championship and he is doing it in style, behind the wheel of his latest acquisition, an Aston Martin DBRS9 GT3.

Eggleston has acquired the Aston from Ross Lilley and will debut in the Vodka O Australian GT Championship commencing at Round 1 at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide (March 17-20).

‘I first saw the Aston at Eastern Creek in 2009. Ross Lilley did a “swap” with a Porsche for the car from Marc Cini. It was then I knew I wanted it’, Eggleston said today.

Eggleston’s decision to campaign the big British machine in the 2011 GT Championship swells the Aston Martin ranks to two, alongside the VIP Petfoods entry of Tony Quinn who has shown the competitiveness of the marque by taking victories in both GT races at Bathurst last year.

The GT3 Aston Martin DBRS9 is powered by a front mounted V-12, six litre engine producing some 360 kilowatts and utilizes a six speed transmission.

Eggleston formerly from Orange in NSW is now based in Melbourne and has an extensive motor sport background having competed in Motocross before winning the NSW Formula Ford State title in 2001. He has competed intermittently in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series for the past six years and this year will run the ex-Rick Kelly VE Commodore in addition to running cars for other drivers.

‘I am hoping to have my first test of the Aston early in February, and having never driven GT cars before it will be a great challenge. I am really looking forward to being a part of this excellent Championship, and particularly the longer format races which gives you plenty of track time to come to grips with the car.

For Round 1 at the Clipsal 500 I am aiming at the top five, and then we will see how the rest of the season unfolds’, Eggleston said.

The Eggleston Aston Martin will be presented in a brand new “‘very different” livery expected to be unveiled next month.

Photo: Aston Martin Racing

After a quiet winter, news is starting to filter through in relation to Aston Martin Racing's 2011 LMP1 challenger. Speaking at Autosport International Aston Martin Racing chief David Richards gave some insight into how the program is progressing.

"As we sit here today, by this afternoon the new engine for the car will run for the very first time on the dynos down at Prodrive, We have started with a clean sheet of paper and designed a brand new race engine specifically with the purpose of winning Le Mans.

"The first chassis was delivered from our composites operation to the race team about a week ago, and they've started building it. The bodywork is not yet finished.

"It's a bit of a race against time to be quite honest with you. The target date was to run the car in the first week of February, then ship it out to America to continue testing at Sebring, then stay in America for further development work and race at Sebring in March. We can only manage one car for that [racing at Sebring].

"It's a very demanding track and if you can manage 12 hours around Sebring on a bumpy airfield circuit made out of concrete, you can normally last 24 hours at Le Mans."

Also some confirmation was given as to where the new car will be expect to race.

"Prior to Le Mans you'll see us at Spa which in May, the Test day in April which back to its Original format of a full test weekend before Le Mans but that's the build up to Le Mans. After Le Mans we'll have more cars in circulation, we'll have more mileage under our belts and we'll be doing a few more races in the States and in the Le Mans Series as well,"

AMR's decision to go ahead on with the new LMP1 car hinged on the ACO promising to balance the performance of the different technologies expect to race at this years Le Mans

"They've made the commitment now in the regulations to balance the performance of the petrol and the diesel engines," he said. "There was always the intent there before but it was never in black and white, and now it's article 19, I think, in their regulations and they are very committed to ensuring that takes place."

Abu-Dhabi based race team HMR is setting its sights on making it two wins out of two when it takes to the grid this Friday for the 24 Hours of Dubai.

Competing in the 24 Hours of Dubai for the first time in 2010 (under its previous name; AUH Motorsports) the GT4 team took an impressive victory in its class, and this weekend the young team will be hunting down victory once again.

This year the team boasts an impressive driver line up with team owner; Abu Dhabi businessman Humaid Al Masaood, teaming up with pro drivers BTCC star Steven Kane, official Aston Martin Racing Factory Driver and class winner of 2010 Spa 24 Hours Sam Hancock and 2009 Radical European Masters champion Alex Kapadia.

The 24 Hours of Dubai is the Middle East's biggest endurance racing event and despite only in its sixth year, it has already established itself as an important part of the international endurance calendar.

This year, a record number of 90 cars will take to the grid with other big racing names including WTCC driver Augusto Farfus, DTM star Bernd Schneider and NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip competing in the race. One of HMR's main competitors in its class will be the Lotus Evora GT4 which will be driven by a strong driver line up including Leo and Greg Mansell; the sons of ex-F1 racing driver Nigel Mansell.

The race at the 5.39km Dubai Autodrome will start at 14.00 local time on Friday 14th January, with qualifying taking part today (Thursday 13th January).

Humaid Al Masaood, team owner and racing driver, commented; "It was a fantastic achievement for the team to win its class in the 24 Hours of Dubai at its first attempt, and it has made us even more determined to do it again this year. There is a lot of strong competition on the grid and as endurance racing is so unpredictable we're taking nothing for granted. However we have a strong driver line up and a great team working on the car so we'll be fighting our hardest for that victory."

Steven Kane commented; "I am really looking forward to competing in the 24 Hours of Dubai on behalf of the HMR team, which despite being less than two years old, already has a proven track record at this event. Although it's my first time racing an Aston and first time on this track I'm going to be drawing on my experience in BTCC over the course of the race weekend and can't wait to get started."

Alex Kapadia commented; "I'm very happy to be invited back to try to retain the class win we took last year. Humaid has got a great team of guys on the car and his own speed has come a long way in the last 12 months. I think we are now one of the most even sets of drivers on the grid. "

Sam Hancock commented; "A big thank you to Humaid and the guys at HMR for inviting me to join them at the Dubai 24 Hours. I've done the race once before in 2005 and I can't wait to go back there. The team has winning experience in this event and I'd love to help them achieve a second successive class win."

Official Aston Martin Racing Factory Driver Sam Hancock will contest this weekend’s Dubai 24 Hours in an Aston Martin GT4 after being invited to race with Humaid Al Masaood’s HMR team at the Middle East’s biggest endurance racing event.

Successful businessman, team owner and racer Al Masaood is a member of The Drivers Club, the Jota Sport-run specialist high-performance driver coaching service co-founded by Hancock in 2009, and has enjoyed recent success at the Dubai 24 Hours having won the competitive SP3 class last year.

Hancock, who drove a similar GT4-spec Aston Martin to class victory at the Spa 24 Hours last year and also contested the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours and Le Mans Series at the wheel of the iconic British manufacturer’s LMP1 prototype, will team up with Al Masaood, BTCC star Steven Kane and 2009 Radical European Masters champion Alex Kapadia at the wheel of HMR’s car for the race which takes place on 14/15 January at the 5.39km Dubai Autodrome.

Sam Hancock: “A big thank you to Humaid and the guys at HMR for inviting me to join them at the Dubai 24 Hours. I’ve done the race once before in 2005 and I can’t wait to go back there. The team has winning experience in this event and I’d love to help them achieve a second successive class win.”

Tom Maplethorpe, HMR Team Manager: “Last year we won our class and we’re aiming to do it again. The event is much bigger this time around, with a full grid of almost 90 cars, but I think we’ve got one of the strongest driver line-ups in the race and our car is much improved from last year too.”

Triple A will return to the Japanese SuperGT with a new look to their Aston Martin Vantage GT2. Both Matsuda Hideshi and Hiroki Yoshimoto will continue with the team after a promising first season with Aston Martin which saw the team finish on the podium in only their third event.

The car is currently being prepaired for their 2011 campaign which begins at Okayama April 2nd.

Generation AMR took delivery of their new race car from Aston Martin Racing at the
Prodrive Heritage Centre, Banbury, on 7th January 2011. Chassis No. GT4-068, the very
first of the new 2011 specification Aston Martin GT4 race cars, was formally handed over
by Greg Harris of Aston Martin Racing to Team Principal, David Appleby. Also present
at the occasion were 2011 drivers Anthony Scragg and James Appleby, along with
members of the Aston Martin Racing development team and Generation AMR Team
Manager, Jeremy Doncaster.

The new V8 engined racing car takes design inspiration from Aston Martin’s V12
Vantage road car, giving it enhanced aerodynamics and increased downforce. It also
has a remapped 4.7 litre engine offering increased levels of power and torque.
Generation AMR will be campaigning their new car in the 2011 FIA GT4 European Cup
as the team begins its development programme for young GT drivers.
As part of the formal handover, drivers Anthony and James were given a detailed guide
through the construction process in the Aston Martin Racing workshops, to fully
understand the differences between their 2010 race cars and the new chassis they will
drive on the race circuits of Europe.

The new car will be on show next week as part of the Generation AMR stand at the
Autosport International Motorsport Show, 13th - 16th January, being held at the NEC,
Birmingham. Interested parties will be able to chat to team members on Stand No.
19355 about the Generation AMR programme, view the car and learn the many ways
they can follow the team's progress in 2011 or get involved in the programme.
Greg Harris, Sales Manager at Aston Martin Racing, “It’s fantastic that two of the most
successful young drivers from the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain 2010
have now teamed up to drive a brand new 2011 Aston Martin GT4 in the GT4 European
Cup this year. Aston Martin has a strong record in the European Cup with both team
and drivers titles in 2010; I’m sure that Generation AMR will continue to bring success
and further titles to the marque in 2011. ”

David Appleby, Team Principal of Generation AMR, “David Appleby Engineering has
been working with the Aston Martin brand for several years now. Having recently
launched Generation AMR as an official partner team, we are truly excited about the
potential of this latest specification GT4 race car. With two talented young drivers, we
are confident that we can continue the great record the V8Vantage has in GT4 racing
both in the UK and Europe.”

Anthony Scragg, Generation AMR driver, “It’s an exciting time for Generation AMR,
myself and James. We have quite a lot of experience in the current GT4 car and have
bonded with it well. Knowing Aston Martin, I am sure the 2011 car will be a great step
forward. I’m now itching to get behind the wheel to find out how the changes have
improved the car that we are hoping will help us win the 2011 title.”
James Appleby, Generation AMR driver, “The new car looks great and I can’t wait to
start testing over in Europe. Hardinge CNC Machine Tools have been very kind with
their continued support and I cannot thank them more, as well all our other partners.
Both Ant and I know the car very well from last year, so it will be exciting to see how the
new aero upgrades, more power and Bosch TCS/ABS system increase the overall
performance of the car!”

Chris Scragg, Owner of The Spa Hotel and Generation AMR partner, “We have high
hopes for another successful year supporting these two talented young drivers and we
really look forward to seeing them on track in the new GT4 race car very soon. This
year is set to be even more competitive in the FIA GT4 European Cup and The Spa
Hotel is delighted to be a major part of Generation AMR's 2011 title campaign.”

Pickett Racing - popularly known as Muscle Milk Team CytoSport - is set to become an Aston Martin Racing Official LMP1 Team Partner for the 2011 American Le Mans Series season in which the team will compete as Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing.

As part of the association and thanks to the grandfathering rules set by IMSA that are allowing the 2010 LMP1 cars to run in 2011, the team will be armed with an Aston Martin powered LMP1 car for their assault on the ALMS.

The Lola Aston Martin LMP1 car won the LMS Championship in 2009 with Aston Martin Racing. In 2010, it competed in two races in the American Le Mans Series. At the season opening 12 Hours of Sebring it placed third overall and went on to start from pole on the streets of Long Beach and finish a very close second, only three tenths away from victory.

The partnership with Aston Martin Racing also provides the Muscle Milk squad with the support of an embedded factory engineer throughout the season and gives them access to any of Aston Martin Racing's drivers.

While the team will be announcing its complete driver lineup in the coming weeks, it can already confirm that both Greg Pickett and Klaus Graf will be back behind the wheel.

Furthermore, the Benicia, CA-based outfit will continue what has become a successful relationship with tire supplier Michelin, a partner that has been an integral part of the team's achievements since its return to the ALMS in 2009.

In its first full season in the series in 2010 the Muscle Milk team placed an impressive second in the LMP Championship on the strength of eight podiums in as many starts aboard the Porsche RS Spyder.

The team's accomplishments included a first win at the famed 12 hours of Sebring, a first overall victory at Lime Rock Park and a dominating performance at Mosport.

When taking into account the four races they contested in 2009, as well as the eight from 2010, the Muscle Milk team is a perfect 12 for 12 in podium finishes.

The team's success was even recognized during the annual season-ending Porsche Night of Champions celebration in Weissach, Germany. On an individual level, Klaus Graf was honored with the third place trophy in the prestigious Worldwide Porsche Cup.

For 2011, Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing will also be counting on the same crew that brought them success in 2010, albeit with some changes.

Long time Pickett Racing team member Mike Halloran has moved into the Team Manager position with Jim Dunford being given the role of Technical Director. Additionally, last season's chief engineer Brandon Fry has taken a full-time position with the team, while 2010 Mechanic of the Year recipient Mike Seymour returns as Crew Chief.

Additionally, Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing will be welcoming sponsor Biedermann Technologies. The leading medical device company has been a long time personal sponsor of Klaus Graf and has expanded its involvement to the team becoming an associate sponsor for the 2011 season.

Biedermann Technologies is a second-generation family business located in Germany. The company focuses on research and development for the global medical device industry, creating technology solutions to improve the quality of people's lives.

The 2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón season kicks off with the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 19 and will be preceded with a two-day winter test at Sebring International Raceway February 9 and 10, 2011.


What they have to say:

Greg Pickett, driver and owner Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing
"I'm pleased to announce our partnership with Aston Martin for the 2011 season. There were some interesting options for us in regards to the upcoming season but this was the best one out of all of the possibilities.
"Aston Martin offers us a great opportunity to continue to grow from a racing and performance perspective but they also provide us with a great platform to showcase our Muscle Milk brand in both the United States and Europe. We look forward to working with Aston Martin North America in order to maximize marketing opportunities throughout the year as well as giving them the on-track results they deserve.
"We had an unbelievable season last year and we can't wait to start building on that success with our new partner Aston Martin as well as our returning partner Michelin. The car went through a trouble free shakedown test last month at the test facility near the Aston Martin factory and we can't wait to get on track with it ourselves and for the season to get underway, even if there is still plenty of work to do before then.
"(About the evening at Porsche's Night of Champions) Just to be invited to the celebration was an honor. So to be recognized for our achievement honestly brought me to tears. It was a very proud moment for me. I must say that the highlight of the evening though was to meet Dr. Porsche. It was a once in a lifetime experience, something I will never forget. It brought back memories of when I was a kid and I first saw a Porsche Speedster 356 on the streets of California.
"The entire evening was a great way to close the chapter on our time with the RS Spyder."

Klaus Graf, driver Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing
"It's great news to be returning to the ALMS full time in 2011. We had such great success last year in our first full year in sports car competition as a team and me personally as a driver. As an added bonus I finished second in the championship and placed third in the prestigious Worldwide Porsche Cup. I couldn't have asked for more.
"To be successful in racing though you need a great team and a good car. The performance of our Muscle Milk team is getting stronger all the time and with the decision made by Greg to form a new partnership with Aston Martin Racing (AMR) to race their LMP1 car, it seems that we should again have the right ingredients to continue our success.
"Aston Martin is such a prestigious and traditional name in auto racing that it will be an honor for me to drive one of their cars. I can only imagine how beautiful it will look like in our Muscle Milk design. I can't wait to get in the car and for the fans to again hear the fantastic sound of the V12 Aston Martin engine.
"I'm looking forward to making new friends at AMR and to start working closely together with everyone involved in the project. I can't wait to leave pit lane for the first time.
"I'm also proud that we were able to forge a new team partnership with Biedermann Technologies as an associate sponsor. The Biedermann group has been a long time personal partner of mine, and its addition as a team partner is a testimony to our great relationship.
"Finally, I want to thank everyone at Muscle Milk for their enthusiasm and Greg and Penny Pickett for their passion. I'm also very happy that Greg will be with me in the car again."

George Howard-Chappell, Aston Martin Racing Technical Director
"It's excellent news that Aston Martin Racing will once again have a partner team contesting the whole season in the American Le Mans Series. The ALMS is one of the most prestigious and respected sports car championships in the world and to have a team of such experience running our LMP1 car will give the team a great opportunity to challenge for the title."


About Biedermann Technologies
Biedermann Technologies is a German family owned company founded in 1927, with a focus on research and development for the global medical device industry. They create technology solutions to improve the quality of people's lives.

About CytoSport
CytoSport, the maker of Muscle Milk®, is among the largest sport nutrition protein beverage companies in the U.S. and offers a complete line of protein-enhanced powders, shakes and bars. Muscle Milk® was recently named the 2008 Ready-to-Drink Beverage of the Year by bodybuilding.com, Best Functional Beverage and Beverage of the Year by BevNet and 2009 Company of the Year by Beverage Forum presented by Beverage Marketing Corporation and Beverage World. For more information on Muscle Milk or additional CytoSport products, visit: www.cytosport.com.

Muscle Milk Team CytoSport will compete in 2011 American Le Mans Series with the V12 powered Lola Aston Martin.

Now known as Muscle Milk AMR the team will enter the full ALMS season with Klaus Graf and Greg Pickett at the wheel. The one year deal will see Muscle Milk AMR receive considerable support from Aston Martin Racing with an engineer being embedded with the team and factory drivers made available if required. “I must say that AMR was very keen for the car to participate in what’s Aston Martin’s largest market in the world,” Pickett said speaking to SpeedTV.com “We wanted to have the same kind of partnership we had with Porsche, where they could provide support. It’s important for our brand and an absolutely important component in our decision making. We’re confident Aston Martin will do that in the kind of cooperative way.”

Muscle Milk AMR will receive the Lola Aston Martin later this week after a shakedown test by Aston Martin Racing factory driver Tomas Enge in the U.K. The team will then start their testing program including the Sebring ALMS winter test Feb 8-9

In 2010, the Aston Martin Racing works team, more than 40 customer teams and in excess of 50 cars, competed in national, regional and international championships across the world. They competed in every Aston Martin racing car from Vantage GT4s and GT2s to the GT3 DBRS9, the GT1 DBR9, and the LMP1 car; and they helped demonstrate the performance and reliability of the Aston Martin brand to a global audience of passionate fans.

We take a look back at some of the highlights in all the different race categories Aston Martin Racing and our customers, compete in.

LMP1

In 2010, the Aston Martin Racing team returned to the track at the 12 Hours of Sebring taking a very creditable third place, behind the two works diesel Peugeots. A few weeks later, at Long Beach, the team took second place and headed to Le Mans in June, knowing it would have a battle on its hands to stay in touch with the diesel Audis and Peugeots. Qualifying once again as the fastest petrol car, the team looked set to finish as the best placed petrol car for the second year in a row until the final hour saw the 009 having to retire.

During the year, Team Signature also competed in the LMP1 car, both at Le Mans and in the Le Mans Series, with a best finish of third in the Algarve round.

In September, at the Silverstone round of the Le Mans Series, we announced that we would be returning to Le Mans in 2011 with an all-new LMP1 car with an Aston Martin carbon chassis and a purpose-built race engine. The first car and engine is currently being built by Aston Martin Racing in Banbury and should be unveiled in early 2011. With assurances from the ACO that it will balance the performance of diesel and petrol cars, Aston Martin Racing are determined to compete on equal terms for an outright win at the 24 hour race.

GT1

2010 saw the inaugural FIA GT1 World Championship with the Hexis AMR and Young Driver AMR teams competing in four DBR9s. The now six year old car proved that it is still very competitive, winning several races with both teams and ensuring Aston Martin clinched the SRO Manufacturers’ Trophy.

Young Driver AMR also took one of their cars to Le Mans to represent Aston Martin in the final year of competition for the GT1 class at the 24 Hour race; a class it dominated for several years. The team gave the car a fitting send off, taking a podium on its last visit to Le Sarthe.

GT2

The Aston Martin Racing team has continued to develop the Vantage GT2 during 2010 with a resultant improvement in performance and on-track results. The car had its debut victory in the European Open GT Series at Brands Hatch with the Villois Srl team; took pole position at Silverstone, and achieved notable podium places with JMW Motorsport in the Le Mans Series and Triple A in Japanese GT.

With significant engineering enhancements for 2011, Aston Martin Racing is expecting further successes and there will be two new teams competing with the Vantage GT2, Jota and First Racing.

GT3

The DBRS9 has taken on a new lease of life in 2010 and was competed very successfully by nine teams this year. The highlight was Hexis Racing’s win at Zolder in the FIA GT3 European Championship and a further podium at Silverstone.

GT3 remains a very competitive and popular class and Aston Martin Racing is now looking at how it may replace the DBRS9 with an even more competitive product.

GT4

2010 was again a very successful year for the Aston Martin Vantage GT4, once again proving why it is the leading car in the GT4 class and a firm favourite among many smaller teams and private individuals.

At the very beginning of the year, the Vantage GT4 won its class at the Dubai 24 Hours and then followed this up with further endurance race wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Silverstone 24 Hours and the Spa 24 Hours. However, it was the car’s first major international championship victory in the European GT4 Cup with Rhesus Racing that was the crowning of an excellent year for the car.

2010 also saw the inaugural season of the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of Great Britain – the first time Aston Martin Racing has run a one make series. The series, which was only open to the Vantage N24 and Vantage GT4, saw six races at circuits including Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Donington and Spa Francorchamps with close racing throughout the field. In the end, it was the father and son partnership of Chris and Ant Scragg which took victory.

In 2011 the GT4 Challenge returns, this time with nine races and a larger grid and is open to owners of the new 2011 Vantage GT4, with its enhanced aero, engine and Bosch ABS/traction control.

The year ahead

2011 promises to be one of the most exciting in the history of Aston Martin Racing. The new LMP1 is the first Aston Martin purpose-built for racing in nearly 60 years and we are now relishing the challenge of competing with the diesel cars on equal terms.

The Vantage GT2, with its performance enhancements, will be a very competitive package and the new Vantage GT4 should see the car continued to lead the entry level sports car class.