GPR Aston Martin Racing: Gulf DBRS9 for the Blancpain Endurance Series Belcar and the Endurance Championship

Its under the banner of Aston Martin that Team GPR will not only be back in action in the Belcar Endurance Championship this season, but in the brand new SRO Blancpain Endurance Series also, reserved for GT3 and GT4 cars, with as climax the 24 Hours of Spa.

This time around the British make will be represented by a new entity, a team with proven experience and competence : GPR Aston Martin Racing. "With the support of Aston Martin Antwerp, HYT, Gulf and Creaset, we decided to go ahead giving the GPR team run by Pino Sperlinga the opportunity to reappear on the track following a sabbatical year out, Eddy Renard, the project’s initiator commented. Quite clearly the objective is to clinch victory in the Belcar Endurance Championship, together with the Swiss Henri Moser and another top driver whose name will be announced shortly. At the same time I will be driving the Aston Martin GT4, at least when the championship kicks off. "

An initial national programme which will be linked to another adventure, on the international scene this time around, namely in the brand new Blancpain Endurance Series, which also implies the 24 Hours of Spa. "At a European level we are presently in discussion with several drivers, Eddy continued. With a view to the 24 Hours of Spa the team withheld will obviously be favourably complemented. In addition I’m full aware that Pino and his team are particularly motivated with the thought of making a name for themselves on the international scene …"

Even though a new car should be making its appearance in 2012, the Aston Martin DBRS9 GT3 raced during these last few months promises to be competitive, both in Belcar as also Blancpain Endurance Series. "We are awaiting the latest spare parts which are presently awaiting homologation following a new request put in with the FIA, Pino Sperlinga commented. Together with my entire team I am delighted to be opening up this new chapter under the GPR Aston Martin Racing banner. It’s a great honour to be able to defend the colours of such a legendary constructor in an official manner…"

As from its first year of existence, GPR Aston Martin Racing received the blessing of the official team, to represent it both in Belgium as also at a European level in endurance competitions … "Aston Martin Racing is thoroughly delighted to bring its support to the GPR team, John Gaw, Managing Director of Aston Martin Racing confirmed. The reasons which led us to favour this association are the quality of the programme they established, the fact that this Belgian team will be making use of our products appropriately, and last but not least the care taken in the overall preparation. It is also our practice to concentrate on the longterm as from the moment that we associate ourselves with a top team defending the colours of Aston Martin."

Aston Martin Antwerp Michiels will be the official partner of the GPR Aston Martin Racing team. "We are absolutely delighted with this partnership, especially with a team receiving the official support from Aston Martin Racing, Stef Tassignon explained. You should know that Aston Martin Antwerp is one of the oldest concessionaires of the make in Europe. Our company saw the light of day 26 years ago, and it is with pride that we will now do our very best to make a name for ourselves with one of our products in the competition world. In fact this dual national and international programme fits us like a glove."

At the end of March GPR Aston Martin Racing will be officially unveiling its 2011 sporting season, not only presenting their car’s new livery but also its drivers and the finalised programme. Have your diaries at the ready…

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