The official newsletter from Nicholas Mee & Co Ltd Issue ... - The Seen

The official newsletter from Nicholas Mee & Co LtdIssue 3 – April 2009NewsReduced Prodrive parts prices, Lagonda returns, new Aston modelsand more.FeatureWorld scoop – DB4 GT v GT4. You read it here first. By Steve Wakefieldof ClassicDriver.com.CompetitionWin tickets to the Goodwood Festival of Speed.What’s HotLift the lid to find out what’s smokin’ in the Aston Martin humidor.What’s in StockA selection of the terrific Aston Martins currently available for sale atNicholas Mee & Co. Full details inside.Ask the Tech TeamHeading to Le Mans, Spa or beyond this summer? Read ourContinental Touring Guide.The Rob ReportRobert Johnson, MD of Classic Sports & Finance shares hisexpert views.EventsSpring is in the air – dates go in the diary.MotorsportsNicholas Mee Racing isn’t aiming for outright victory at Le Mans, butwe certainly intend to have some fun this season.info@nicholasmee.co.ukwww.nicholasmee.co.ukNicholas Mee & Company LtdBrackenbury Garage12, Wellesley AvenueLondon W6 0UPT: +44 (0)208 741 8822F: +44 (0)208 741 7422

MEE SPEAKNEWSFB2Thank goodness! As I sit at my desk writing these wordsfor the third of issue of FullBore, the sky is blue, the sun isshining and it’s 17 degrees in central London. Now whilethis may be irrelevant to the main thrust of FullBore, Imention it merely as a metaphor for just how wonderfulit is to think that we have both spring and summer justaround the corner. After six months of bad news andmiserable weather our thoughts are turning to brighterdays ahead, in more ways than one.In this issue we share our recollections of a superb dayat Goodwood testing our new Aston Martin GT4 racecarand review it with a DB4 GT, a car which shares a 50thanniversary this year with Aston Martin’s historic win atthe Le Mans 24 hrs in 1959 and the company clinchingthe World Sportscar Championship that same year.Nicholas Mee,Managing DirectorTradition naturally plays a large part in our business ofclassic cars, and traditionally a comment on the marketis included in this column. So, how is the market? Well,my answer is simple; it’s as good as we all make it. ‘Tough’,‘hard work’ and ‘frustrating’ are words which could beattributed to any working day, in good times as well asbad, but the truth is, business is still being done. In fact,over the last few weeks, it’s been genuinely brisk. Whathas changed, not too surprisingly, is the confidenceof some buyers’ own circumstances. But, as the worldgoes round, so new buyers are emerging with renewedconfidence. So, my message to sellers and buyers alike isdon’t hold back as there is really nothing to be gained bydoing so.With our service operation now in its ninth year and goingfrom strength to strength, we have taken another coupleof steps forward recently by investing in new factorydiagnostic equipment and an additional factory-trainedtechnician. These developments mean we have a skill setwithin our workshop staff and the necessary hardware toservice and maintain Aston Martins from the DB4 to theDB9 as well as the current V8s.As my writing draws to a close I’m happy to report that thesun is still shining, and this makes me look forward evenmore to the fantastic season of events ahead (see Eventson p.8). I hope to see you at one or more of them, but youand your Aston will receive an equally warm welcome ifit’s a damp Tuesday here at Brackenbury Garage.Best wishes ... NickREDUCED PRICING FOR PRODRIVE UPGRADESFurther to the recent announcement of our exclusive tieupwith Prodrive for the sale and fitment of V8 Vantageperformance upgrades, we’re now pleased now confirmnew and significantly reduced prices for the full rangeof options.The engine upgrade, which includes new catalysts and aswitchable exhaust by-pass, increases power by 45bhpand so provides the 4.3-litre engine with the same poweras the 2009 model 425bhp 4.7-litre engine. With theprice now reduced by over 25% it now stands at £3,908+ VAT, fitted.Other items in the Prodrive range: suspension packagewith driver switchable damper mode, 19” forgedaluminium Prodrive wheels with Pirelli P Zero Corsatyres, carbon fibre composite front splitter and rear bootmountedspoiler all now benefit from a 10% discount.We’re also able to offer various performanceenhancement packages which are also now available atnewly reduced prices. Including fitting (excluding VAT),prices start at £774.47 for the exhaust loom and switch,rising to £12,427.49 for the full 425bhp engine upgradewith Bilstein/Eibach suspension, wheels, tyres andaero pack.NEW ERA SERVICINGFurther evidence of our firm commitment to ‘NewEra’ Aston Martin models is provided by the recentrecruitment of Andrew Weller.With over 22 years spent as an automotive technician,Andrew specializes in electrical analysis and joins usfollowing three and a half years spent with a leadingAston Martin main agent at which time he became anAssociate Member of the Aston Martin Technicians Guild.With AM factory training, he has both the expertiseand the experience to service all the late Aston Martinmodels including DB7 Vantage, Vanquish, DB9 and V8Vantage. In addition to his day-to-day activities, Andrewwill also play a significant role with our NMR raceprogram and he is warmly welcomed into the fold.Please contact us should you have anyservicing requirements.

BROTHERSIN ARMS:FEATUREAnthony Reid, one of Britain’s top professional drivers, is a quietlyspoken man. As the team carried out post-track-session checks,the Scotsman explained in layman’s terms the fastest way roundGoodwood, the rolling circuit set in the Sussex Downs and thescene of many a triumph for the Aston Martin marque.FB4DB4GT+ GT4“Keep it in a high gear; let the torque ofthe engine pull you through the bends,and ‘trail brake’ through the first part ofthe corner before accelerating throughthe apex and on to the straight.” He makesit sound easy and, having spent three lapsas a passenger in the brand-new green,orange and silver Nicholas Mee Racing(NMR) Aston Martin GT4, I can verify thatit was indeed a straightforward, smoothprogression around the 2.4-mile(3.86km) circuit.It was also incredibly quick.Breathtakingly so; and even two-upwe set the fastest time of the day —“very respectable”, a multiple winnerat the Goodwood Revival commentedafterwards. And that was in a chassisnewly collected from Aston Martin Racingand running on intermediate tyres — theweather being too cold for slicks.The test was to shake down the new car,introduce Reid to the team, and the threedrivers — Karsten Le Blanc, ChristiaenVan Lanschot and Tarek Mahmoud — tothe Vantage GT4; one of a two-car line-upscheduled to contest several UK andEuropean races in 2009.Reid will be acting as the newly formedteam’s chief tester and driver coach,with occasional race drives, too, as theyear progresses.In addition to the latest 4.7-litre V8Vantage GT4, packed with hi-techelectronics, aerodynamic aids andcomputer-designed suspension, therewas also Aston Martin’s equivalent modelof 50 years ago: a DB4GT. Owner TarekMahmoud had brought along his historicracer, a regular entry in the Le MansClassic and Tour Auto, where the car isheaded later this April.Tarek takes me out for a few high-speedlaps in the million-pound machine.Aston Martin’s DB4GT debuted on thetrack (as ‘DP199/1’, to be precise, forchassis-number aficionados) in 1959.Stirling Moss drove the car at Silverstoneand (well, of course…) he won, takingthe fastest lap, too. As a shortened,lighter DB4 with a twin-plug head andimpressive array of 45DCOE Webers onits 3.7-litre motor, the ‘GT’ was the fastestmodel in the company’s range and morethan able to take on anyItalian opposition.It was also the company’s ‘gentlemanracing car’ and saw action in UK nationalraces as well as at Le Mans, the Tourde France Automobile, Sebring andMonthléry. And it was at Goodwood, in1960, that Roy Salvadori finished 2ndoverall in the Tourist Trophy driving oneof the lightweight Essex RacingStable cars.Exiting the pits, the familiar bark of thestraight-six brings back memories of myclub racing a DB4 in the ‘80s and 90s.Madgwick, the first corner, is taken as abroad sweep and the long right-handkink of Fordwater has the M-sectionDunlops starting to slide. Tarek’s a handydriver and negotiates the tricky ‘No-Name’right-hand entry to St Mary’s, where thetrack rises and dips like a rollercoasterbefore some braking for Lavant and thelong drag down the straight. The enginepulls with gusto and the car rockets downthe fastest part of the course with thefamiliar fluttering of wipers on screenbetraying its pre-aerodynamic-era stylingand upright windscreen. It’s then fullbraking for Woodcote and some moresliding as the car drifts into the Chicaneand onto another lap.

FB5In its Tour Auto, ‘semi-race’ trim with more comfortableseats and silenced exhausts, the older car is slightlycompromised for pure track work. However, its classand breeding shine through: a bespoke two-seater GTthat is as at home at the Goodwood circuit as it is in theowners’ enclosure at the nearby horseracing course onthe Sussex Downs.Moving up-to-date, the Gaydon company and AstonMartin Racing have drawn heavily on the tradition of afast, user-friendly car for an amateur racer when theydeveloped the Vantage GT4. Times have changed, soit’s no longer realistic to drive a car to a circuit, race anddrive home again. But, as with the Essex Racing Stable’sDB4GTs, the GT4 is based on the road car’s design,using broadly standard suspension, brakes, engine andbodywork, with a more free-breathing exhaust and remappedECU.The racing V8 Vantage is considerably lighter thanstandard (by 300kg), and has all the safety equipment ofthe modern racing era: a steel roll-cage, six-point racingharnesses and a Lifeline Zero 360 gas fire-extinguishersystem. The NMR team has also specified a passengerseat, long-distance race spotlamps and an on-board airjack system for pit-stops in two-driver events. The teamclearly means business.For all the car’s advanced technology, though, 50 yearson and Roy Salvadori and Sir Stirling Moss would stillrecognise it as a nice GT racing car, based on one of theworld’s most desirable sportscars.Aston Martin has designed the car to meet the FIA GT4regulations. Sitting under – you’ve guessed it – the GT3,GT2 and GT1 categories, international GT racing’s mostaffordable class is for road cars modified for safety anda minimum improvement in performance. This is anideal arena not only for Aston Martin, eager to prove thehigh quality of its road-car range, but also for club racerswho’ve enjoyed success in historic cars and now want torun modern machinery from Les Grandes Marques.Swap Anthony Reid, today clothed from head to toe inthe latest safety equipment, for Innes Ireland in 1960,in ‘slacks’, short-sleeved shirt and slip-ons, and thingshaven’t changed that much.One circuit, one marque, two fabulous road-basedracing cars and many fantastic drivers. I think Karsten,Christiaen and Tarek are going to enjoy themselvesthis year.Nicholas Mee Racing would like to thank Goodwood for thehire of its circuit and remind readers that that the dates forthe Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revivalare 3-5th July and 18-20th September respectively. Ticketsare available online at www.goodwood.co.ukor by calling 01243 755055.Newsletter:www.classicdriver.com/uk/community/2300.aspwww.classicdriver.comSteve Wakefield isManaging Editor ofClassicDriver.com – theleading automotive andlifestyle web-site.Should you be interestedin subscribing toClassicDriver’s weeklynewsletter, Classic Inside,please visit the newsletterlink below.

GARRARD’S GEMSHOT LISTFB6Neal Garrard,Manager - New EraI hope that you are enjoying this latestFullBore and, if you received them,also enjoyed our previous two issues.The feedback we’ve received so far hasbeen entirely positive which is veryencouraging for us.In the last few months we’ve beenextremely busy, both with our dayjobs and by launching a number ofexciting projects. The car buying worldhas definitely now awoken after winterhibernation and models such as the V8Vantage and Vanquish have been provingespecially popular – not surprisingconsidering the amazing value of thosemodels. But prices of all models have nowfirmed as both trade and private buyershave become more active, and this inturn has made buying good quality stockmore difficult. Should you have a car tosell, we would certainly be interested tohear from you.Elsewhere in this issue you’ll find a fullupdate on the progress of our excitingnew racing program, Nicholas MeeRacing. Not for easing ourselves ingently, we will now be running not onebut two V8 Vantage GT4s in the Britcarchampionship. At the time of writingwe’ve completed our first test outingsand are now preparing for our first raceof the season at Silverstone which is sureto be a big challenge but very excitingfor all involved. As the season progresses,please check our website for all of thelatest news and images or, better still,come along and support us at the circuit.A warm welcome is promised should youmake it to any of the races.You’ll also find a list of our pick of themany fantastic motoring and motorsportmeetings to look forward to in the nextfew months. Personally, I’m very muchlooking forward to longer days withwarmer, drier weather and getting out tothese events. With the cost of holidayingabroad sent soaring by sterling’s valuedropping against many currencies, takethe opportunity to stay in Blighty, dustoff the pride and joy and head out on theopen road. I look forward to seeing you ata racetrack or champagne tent sometimesoon!MontecristoV8 VantageWould you believe it, prices of used examples have actually beengoing up over the last three months. Unveiled at the ‘05 Genevamotor show, the ‘new era’ V8 Vantage was powered by an all-new,low-emissions 380bhp 4.3-litre motor. ‘Though good for 175mph,in ‘09 the motor was upgraded to 4.7-litres with 420bhp, giving thecar a top speed of 180mph with 0-60mph achievable in 4.7 secs.(Without wishing to labour the point, an earlier 4.3-litre car canbe upgraded to 4.7 power with a Prodrive performance package,available from Nicholas Mee & Co...)CoronasDB4The market is again paying attention to the DB5’s poor relation byrecognizing that the DB4’s fine sporting heritage, elegant looks andglorious sound are in a league of their own. First shown in ’58, theTouring-designed DB4 with Tadek Marek’s 3.7 straight six motorremained in production until June ’63, by which time there hasbeen five distinct series, with convertible versions from ’61 onward.Capable of 0-100-0 mph in under 30secs, this put Aston Martinstraight back into competition with Italian manufacturers.VilligerVantage V600COMPETITIONIn the last issue we asked when theBeaujolais Run was first held. The correctanswer was 1972 and the first name outof the hat with that answer was TrevorRuddle who is now in possession of theprize of a very fine Hackett BeaujolaisRun rugby shirt.The prize for this issue’s competitionis two tickets to this year’s GoodwoodFestival of Speed (3rd-5th July), on theday of the winner’s choice. This is a prizeworth the best part of £100 and to be inwith a shout of winning it all you havedo is pick another year. Oops, there’s aclue already – it’s not 1972!:The original prototype DB4 GT projectcar premiered at Le Mans and wasdriven by Pathey & Calderei.In which year?Answers on an email please, to:info@nicholasmee.co.uk.For those not lucky enough to win,tickets for the Festival of Speed, and theGoodwood Revival on 18th-20th Sept,are available online atwww.goodwood.co.ukor by calling 01243 755055.It may only have 50bhp more than the standard 550bhp Vantage,but these ‘Works Service’ created musclecars from ’98-’00 arerevered and highly desired among the cognoscenti. With twin Eatonsuperchargers, a top speed approaching 200mph is on the cards,while numerous other fitments including Dymag wheels, giantgrooved discs with AP Racing calipers, Stack digital instrumentationand upgraded Eibach/Koni suspension also serve to bolster theV600’s appeal.Café CrèmeVanquishAn important model for a host of reasons, these stunning NewportPagnell supercars are currently priced at a ridiculous low withintoday’s market and a reaction at some point in the not-toodistantfuture is inevitable. With a 460bhp 6-litre V12, the IanCallum-designed ’01-’04 model is good for 0-62mph in 5.0secsand 190mph. The ’04-’07 Vanquish S makes 520bhp and can top200mph. Buy the best you can, then listen, look, drive and hold onto it. The Vanquish will never fail to tickle the taste buds

WHAT’S IN STOCKFB7DB6 : £POAVANQUISH S 2+2 : £79,950DB7 VANTAGE TOUCHTRONIC : £32,950VANQUISH 2+2 : £69,9501969. Aston Green with Tan hide. Five-speed. Fitted with Konisuspension upgrade. Subject of a five-year restoration, includingchassis, body, engine, suspension etc. All carried out by recognisedmarque specialists.2005. Meteorite Silver with Charcoal hide. Fitted with Sat/Nav,powerfold mirrors, parking sensors etc. Superb condition, lowmileage, AM Works history, still under warranty. 5,500 miles.2001. Finished in Solent Silver with Parchment and Navy Bluehide. Fitted with Touchtronic automatic transmission, heated frontscreen, heated seats and usual standard Vantage refinements.Just 27,900 miles from new with a full Aston Martin dealer servicehistory. Superb condition and value.2004. Tour de France Blue with Obsidian Black Hide. 2004 MY carfitted with Sports Dynamics equipment. Just 7,400 from new andcomplete with FAMSH this attractive car is in superb condition inall respects.VANQUISH 2+2 : £59,950DB7 GT : £42,950 ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE V600 : £POAV8 VANTAGE 550 : £109,9502003. Tungsten Silver with Black hide. Full specification car infantastic condition. Just 12,000 miles from new. 2 owners andFAMSH including last service 500 miles ago.2003. Nero Daytona (Black) with Grey hide. 6 Speed Manual. 1 of190 GT’s built. Fitted with standard GT upgrades including Recaroseats, brakes, suspension, mesh grille, Sat/Nav, 5 spoke wheels etc.AM history and just 25k miles from new.1997. This Vantage V600 is offered with all of the upgradesavailable from the Aston Martin ’Works’ division, including 600 bhpengine, 5 speed, suspension, traction control, brakes and exhaustupgrades. Two owners and only 14,000 miles covered from new.FSH and outstanding condition.1999. Pentland Green with pale tan hide. In superb condition.Regularly serviced by AM ‘Works Service’ and AM agents. Thesecond and last owner purchased the car when just 6 months old.Thereafter it has been beautifully kept, in a small private collectionfor occasional use, as is evident from the 6,800 miles covered.V8 VOLANTE : £74,950DB7 GTA : £40,950V8 VOLANTE : £74,950 DB6 : £89,9501988. Produced between 1986 and 1989 the Electronic FuelInjected V8 Volante produced both more power and torque thanit’s carburettor predecessor. Fitted with our own handling upgrade,Vantage 16’’ wheels, sports auto gearbox upgrade and sportsexhaust and recently fitted Becker Hi-Fi with Sat/Nav and iPodconnection. The car we are offering has completed just 36,000miles from new and is superb condition in all respects.2003. Rare DB7 GTA, finished in Nero Daytona Black with blackhide / alcantara interior. (112 worldwide), the DB7 GTA was thelast of the V12 Vantage DB7. Automatic / touchtronic gearbox,upgraded brakes and suspension, five spoke alloy wheels, meshgrille, recaro sport seats and a high spec’Becker audio system,integrated Satnav. Additionally equipped with sports exhausts.This car has a FAMSH, 23,000 miles and is in excellent condition.1988. Late model EFi Volante. Fitted with factory 16’’ Vantagewheels, suspension upgrade and Nardi woodrim sterring wheel.Superbly finished in Cumberland Grey with mohair type hoodand deep Mocha Brown hide. A full service history from newaccompanies the car, including body, sills and paint restorationcarried in 2005. A superb driving car in outstanding condition.53,000 miles from new.1966. Deep carriage blue with dark tan hide. 5 speed manual.Major works over last 10 years inc bare metal respray, engine,suspension, brakes etc. Comprehensive history file included.

ASK THE TECH TEAMEVENTS CALENDARFB8Tech Team:David Swadling, CraigReed and Roy WillisThat Continental TourThe sun is shining between the palmsas you waft along the French Riviera,the sensation of nudging 150 on theAutoroute du Soleil and the satisfactionof synchronising gear changes in theScottish Highlands; such memories ofsummer touring are now re-entering ourminds after a long, bleak winter. But aword of warning – if your car has beenlittle used over the past few months thenit is wise to check a few things for safetyand operation before driving off to fulfilthose dreams.Things to look at include: tyres – checkpressures, tread depths and sidewalls forcracks. All fluid levels, all lights, wipersand washers, the lot. It’s surprising howa car can deteriorate whilst not beingused. One other essential is a touring kitcomprised of belts, plugs, bulbs, hosesand other parts specific to your modelof car but not kept by the emergencyservices. (Touring kits are available fromparts@nicholasmee.co.uk. Please statemodel and year.)THE ROB REPORTRobert Johnson,Managing Director: Classicand Sports Finance Ltd.It is unbelievable to think that we aredrawing to the end of the first quarteron 2009. The lending sector has certainlybeen turbulent through this period withone of our largest high street banksdeclaring what can only be consideredcolossal losses. The knock on effect hasbeen, yet again, unforgiving to manyof us creating negative changes to oureveryday lives. However, though myworking years I have always recognisedthat where there is negativity there alsolurks opportunity and very much so inour own sector. In many market reports itwould appear that it is difficult to borrowmoney to buy anything, in particular aperformance car. In reality the picture isquite different. Provided you can meetthe basic principle of money lending “youdemonstrate you can repay the debt”It’s a Wind-UpOwners of DB7, DB9, Vanquish and newera V8 Vantage cars who occasionallyencounter problems with their doorwindows failing to close fully aftershutting the door might like to know howto ‘re-train’ the memories of the closers,negating the need to visit their dealer foran effective fix.With the ignition on, or engine running,lower the window fully, holding thebutton down for a further two seconds.Release the button and hold down againfor two more seconds or until you heara soft ‘thunk’ from the door. Then raisethe window, holding the button for twoseconds before releasing it. Hold thebutton up again for two more seconds,listen for the soft ‘thunk’ and releasethe button. This procedure will re-trainthe electronic memories in the windowmechanism and result in the correctsequence of events when openingthe doors. If, after a second attempt atthis procedure the window is still notoperating correctly, then that trip to thedealer may be necessary.(let’s face it –shouldn’t it always havebeen that way) there are plenty offunds available.Residual values of later Astons have beenunder pressure in the last few monthsbut there are clear indicators that pricesare beginning to level out making V8’s,DB9’s and Vanquish models incrediblevalue. With a sensible deposit you can getyourself into a later era Aston for as littleas £500.00 per month. If you are sittingtight and waiting for further reductionsyou may just miss this particularopportunity probably similar to the timenot so long ago when you wished youhad bought that DB5 that seemed cheapat the time. We all know what happenedto the values there!www.classicandsportsfinance.comAs snowdrops flower and lambs frolic, a gentleman’s thoughts turn to… carsHere’s our list of top motoring events this season; we hope to see you at at least some of them,. And if NMR is racing,do come and say hello.28th March2nd-3rd May9th May30th May12-14th June27th June3rd-5th July24-26th July29th August10-16th August18-20th September27th September2nd OctoberNicholas Mee Racing, Britcar Championship, Silverstone.Nicholas Mee Racing, Britcar Championship, Donington Park.Bonhams Aston Martin Auction, Newport Pagnell, Bucks.AMOC St.John Horsfall Race Meeting, Silverstone, Northants.Le Mans 24 Hours, France.Nicholas Mee Racing, Britcar Championship, Spa, Belgium.Goodwood Festival of Speed, West Sussex.Silverstone Classic, Northants.Nicholas Mee Racing, Britcar Championship, Snetterton, Norfolk.Monterey Historic Automobile Races and Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours, California, USA.Goodwood Revival, West Sussex.Motor Racing Legends Six Hour meeting, Spa, Belgium.Nicholas Mee Racing, Britcar Championship, Silverstone, Northants.

perforationsfoldMOTORSPORTS FB 9THERESERvATiONPleaSe uSe thIS form to make Your reServatIoN:Please reserve the following number of placeswith Club Tertre Rouge for the weekend of the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours.Name(s):CLUB TERTRE ROUGELE MANS 24 HOURS2009THE 50TH ANNivERSARy OfASTON MARTiN’S OUTRiGHT viCTORyNICHOLAS MEE RACINGTeam Partners:Media Partner:Team Suppliers:Further to the recentformation of Nicholas MeeRacing, the team recentlyannounced Anthony Reidas an additional driver. Asfollowers of motorsportsmay know, Anthony hasenjoyed a highly successfulracing career in a widerange of series includingthe British, Germanand Japanese TouringCar Championships,the Japanese GTChampionship plus 24-hour endurance eventsat Le Mans and Daytona,often as a factory teamdriver. Anthony will bedriving for Nicholas MeeRacing in selected racesduring 2009 season, whilealso helping to set-up andimprove the cars.In addition to the recentdelivery of a factory-builtAston Martin VantageV8 GT4, NMR has nowpurchased a second AstonGT4 and this car is due fordelivery in the very nearfuture.NMR is currently finalisingexactly where and whenit will be competing in ‘09,but it will be participatingin Britcar series races andthe Aston Martin OwnersClub Championship, aswell as the British GT seriesand possibly the FIA GT4European Championship.(For dates of some theserounds see Events onprevious page).The team’s first track testsession with the new GT4was held at Goodwood inlate February and, despitecool track temperatures,the day was a resoundingsuccess with NMR’s driversKarsten Le Blanc andChristiean Van Lanschotboth enjoying their firstouting in the GT4.The second GT4 will bedriven Tarek Mahmoud,who on the day also got togrips with the new racingAston for the first time.Tarek has enjoyed on-tracksuccess at the wheel ofa DB2 and a DB4 GT formany years, and he willbe partnered in certainevents by his brotherGalal Mahmoud, also anexperienced historic racer.NMR is also extremelypleased that it hasattracted four, valuablenew partners: Classic &Sports Finance, Cardok,ClassicDriver.com andLevison Meltzer Pigott, andas the season progresseswe shall continue seekingpartnerships with otherorganizations which maybe interested in partneringthe team.Signature:Print:A deposit of 50% is required with reservation, the balancepayable by 30 April 2009. Cheques should be made payable to:-‘Club Tertre Rouge’and sent care of:Nicholas mee & co ltd. brackenbury garage,12 wellesley ave, london w6 0uPSTOP PRESSNMR wins on début appearance!tel: 02087418822Acknowledgement of booking and receipt of depositwill be sent to you by mail, please allow 14 days.NMR made an impressive start tothe season by winning the firstCTR_2009.indd 2-3round of the Aston Martin Cup heldat Silverstone on 28th March.Competing in the first round ofthe 2009 Britcar GT series, driversKarsten and Christiaen qualified in21st overall and 4th in class, butmore importantly placed themselveshigher up the grid than the threeother V8 Vantages entered.Despite cold and blustery weatherthe 2-hour race went according toplan. Helped by the smart strategyof starting with slick tyres on adamp but drying track theteam was able toconsolidate itsgrid position bybeing the firstAston to thechequeredflag, whileretaining 4thin class andclimbing to 19thplace overall.ASTON MARTIN RACINGFor more 2008 event images, please check out our website:Fifty years after its outright win at Le Mans, Aston Martinis returning to La Sarthe with two Works LMP1 cars inGulf Oil’s iconic blue and orange livery.perforationsFor ‘09 the ACO has introduced new regulations aimedat balancing the performance of petrol- and dieselenginedprototypes. This has made the LMP1 categorymore appealing and relevant to Aston Martin and so,in an ambitious attempt to emulate the legendaryachievements of the ‘59 DBR1 driven by Carroll Shelbyand Roy Salvadori, Aston Martin will endeavour to bringthe Le Mans title back to Britain.The new cars are based on the ‘08 Charouz RacingSystem Lola and are powered by the same productionbasedAM V12 engine which helped Aston Martin secureits second successive Le Mans GT1 title with the DBR9last year. This engine has also powered the Charouz Lolato a new La Sarthe lap record for a petrol car.Works drivers Jan Charouz (CZ), Tomas Enge (CZ), andStefan Mücke (DE), who raced the Charouz car last year,will renew their relationship with the team along withDarren Turner (GB) who was part of the winning DBR9GT1 crew in ‘07 and ‘08. Swiss Harold Primat and thePortuguese driver Miguel Ramos join the team for thefirst time in ‘09. The team will also compete throughoutthe year in the Le Mans Series (LMS), which opens withthe 1000kms de Catalunya on 5th April.CLUB TERTRE ROUGEwww.clubtertrerouge.co.uk club tertre rouge IS SPoNSoreD bY:foldThis year’s CTR trip to Le Mans is now fully booked.However, if you are traveling down yourself and wouldlike to join us at the Gite de la Ferme on Friday 12th Junefor the champagne reception at 7pm, followed by a BBQ,our ‘fun’ concours and the Not The Rolling Stones tributeband, then tickets for this party are still available at £75per person.Please contact reservations@clubtertrerouge.co.ukor +44 (0)208 741 8822.

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