Aston Martin will be represented by two teams in the new FIA GT1 World Championship in 2010.
Teams Hexis AMR and Young Driver AMR have applied for entry and each plan to run two Aston Martin DBR9s in the championship. Entries are subject to approval by the FIA and the confirmed entry list will be issued in January.
Hexis AMR, an existing Aston Martin Racing partner team, based at the Nimes circuit in France has successfully campaigned Aston Martin DBRS9s for the past three years, winning the FIA GT3 European Teams Championship in 2009. In addition to its existing GT3 activity, the French team is adding two GT1 DBR9s to its stable of Aston Martin race cars in preparation for the World Championship.
Young Driver AMR is a new team, formed specifically to compete in the FIA GT World Championship with Aston Martins. The team has taken delivery of its two DBR9s and is currently setting up its new race facility.
With 10 events on four continents, organisers hope that the new championship will capture the hearts and attention of motorsport fans around the globe.
Based on the road-going DB9, the V12 engined Aston Martin DBR9 has enjoyed great success since winning its inaugural race at Sebring in 2005. Multiple race wins around the world followed and the DBR9 went on to win its class at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008 in the hands of Aston Martin Racing.