The 2024 24 Hour Victory at Spa: 76 Years in the Making Aston Martin, believe it or not, have been racing longer than their association with Bond. Since 1922 they have, on occasion, had their fair share of victories. In 1948, the company won the 24 Endurance Race at Spa-Francorchamps in a DB1 driven by John Horsfall and Leslie Johnson. In June of this year, from the 29th to the 30th, Aston Martin took part in the CrowdStrike 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps with a selection of Vantage GT3s. One particular car was fielded by Comtoyou Racing, Aston’s Belgian partner racing team, driven by Italian Racer Mattia Drudi, and Danish Racers Marco Sørensen, and Nicki Thiim. Starting in 14th the car made up an incredible 13 places to 1st, balancing out performance with fuel economy. As a result, it claimed victory for Aston Martin at the race, marking their first victory at Spa in 76 years. Why the Vantage: Aston’s Barnstormer You’d think with a range of mostly front-engine grand-tourers that Aston’s current fleet are all basically the same. Except that isn’t the case. For cruising down to Monaco and Sicily, in your carefully groomed tux with your ‘License to Kill’ pistol in the glovebox, the DB12 is the car for you. But for carving down racetracks and hunting down Ferraris, Porsches and McLarens, then there’s no other choice but the Vantage. Despite being the baby of the range, it is the most hardcore, track-focused model in the line-up. If the DB12 is Aston’s gentleman’s cruiser, the Vantage is Aston’s bar brawler. Like the DB12, the Vantage utilises a 4.0l twin-turbo AMG-derived V8, but it’s been reworked and beefed up to produce 656 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. As a result, this car sprints from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and carries on to 202mph. All the while your ears burst from the roar of the turbo V8. To handle this firepower, the Vantage is fitted with Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers, an Electronic Rear Differential (E-diff) and AML-specific 21-inch Michelin Pilot S5 tyres. It also features three modes, Sport, Sport+ and most appropriately Track. Couple that with the perfect 50:50 weight distribution and short body and what results is one of the finest handling cars on sale right now. A proper barnstormer. Yet like all Astons it graces the roads with a beauty that is unmatched by any of its rivals. Possibly the most beautiful car on sale behind the DB12. Design Inspired by Racing: Both Inside and Out The Vantage AMV24 Edition takes the Vantage’s looks to new levels of stunning. It’s finished in Aston’s “Podium Green,” one of the best liveries available right now. Contrasting this is an AMR Lime stripe that runs the length of the car. This bespoke colour scheme was designed by Q and is also used on the mirror caps and the front and rear air vents. The AMV24 also boasts 21-inch Y-Spoke Satin Black wheels, which beautifully contrast its Gloss Black lower and upper finishes. Inside the AVM24, the black leather and Alcantara upholstery features AMR Lime stitching and embroidery on the headrests. In addition, there are many features like a dark chrome jewellery pack and a commemorative silver plaque noting the limited build number. Only 24 of these beauties will ever exist and most will be sold to Aston’s most loyal clientele. Once again, the Q department have managed to tastefully apply to the AMV24 a livery that blends performance with restraint, definitely no Los Angeles-style design, that’s for sure. Conclusion Aston Martin rarely wins races but when they do it’s a moment of celebration, and that is what the AMV24 Vantage is all about. Celebrating a Vantage’s victory with a bespoke Vantage. Let’s hope that as long as the Vantage continues production, it continues to deliver Aston success. On both the road and in races.Source: Aston Martin
