Older generation of AMR Vantages match success of turbo era Vantages
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Whilst the latest generation of Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE and GT4 were doing what they do best last weekend in both the World Endurance Championship and the British GT Championship at Spa Francorchamps and Donington Park respectively, some examples of the older - normally aspirated versions of the Vantage GT3 and GT4 were also coming back with some silverware for the effort of their drivers.
Supporting the WEC's return to racing at Spa Francorchamps at the weekend was supposed to be a collection of the Britcar and Sports Prototype Cup series (as well as a round of the Aston Martin Masters Endurance Legends) but a late call from the UK Government placed the requirement of two weeks self isolation on all those returning from Belgium meaning that the expected UK participation was well down.
Making what may well be his only competitive outing at a race track this year following his unfortunate withdrawal from the British GT Championship was the 2019 GT3 Champion Graham Davidson with his former British GT entered AMR Vantage GT3.
Going back the track of his inaugural British GT race win when he shared the car with AMR factory driver Maxime Martin, Davidson entered his car with a change in colour scheme to the then white and orange livery of old as he and Porsche racer Graeme Mundy in the weekends two - one hour races.
Qualifying fractionally slower than the pole setting Revolution A-One car, they did set a time that was nearly two seconds faster than the Aston Martin Vulcan that was also competing in the event. From there, the duo went on to secure P3 overall on Friday.
Starting from that position for the start of Saturdays race, the #007 AMR would ultimately be classified as finishing in P7 overall in the wet race.
Meanwhile, Whitebridge Motorsport were at Silverstone at the weekend competing in the second round of the GT Cup Championship with their pair of older V8 Vantage GT4's.
Having scooped a podium finish at the opening round of the season at Snetterton last month, Chris Murphy was back with his new gentleman co-driver Steve Birt as Murphy raced solo and with Birt over the events four race format in the GTH class.
Over the course of the weekend, Murphy and Birt claimed a P3, P3 and a P1 in class before a DNF blotted their copybook in the final race of the day.
Despite their age, there is is plenty of life left in these old beauties yet!!
Photo credits - Sports Prototype Cup / InkhandImages