• One of just 10 examples of the V8 Vantage GT2 produced by Aston Martin Racing between 2008 and 2011
• The factory development prototype, driven by Aston Martin Racing drivers including Darren Turner, Tomáš Enge, Stefan Mucke and Allan Simonsen
• Secured class wins at the Nogaro and Zolder rounds of the 2008 FIA GT Championship
• Works entry in the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Allan Simonsen, Christoffer Nygaard, and Kristian Poulsen
• Benefitting from a comprehensive rebuild and recommissioning by Pursuit Racing in 2023 and 2024, including the fitment of a new engine and a newly rebuilt gearbox and differential
• Offered with an invite to participate in FuoriConcorso 2024 (24 to 26 May) as part of an Aston Martin display dedicated to the British marque

Incorporating numerous lessons learned from its Le Mans-winning, GT1-specification DBR9 sibling, Aston Martin’s new Vantage GT2 model was aimed principally at customer teams intending to contest series such as the American Le Mans Series and FIA GT Championship, and standalone events including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Featuring a similar bonded aluminium chassis to the road car, albeit one further stiffened by the addition of a roll cage, the Vantage GT2 employed a dry-sump, 4.5-litre version of Aston Martin’s familiar V-8 engine; the resulting unit producing around 450 horsepower. Extensive use of carbon fibre panels enabled weight to be reduced to around 1,150 kilograms; the same material being employed in the car’s downforce-generating front splitter, flat floor, rear diffuser, and rear wing.

Renowned race and rally operation Prodrive designed and built 10 units of the Vantage GT2 chassis under the auspices of Aston Martin Racing, of which this example—chassis V8/X2—was the factory development prototype. The car made its debut at the Official Le Mans Series Test at Circuit Paul Ricard on 3 March 2008, where it was driven by Aston Martin Racing stalwarts Darren Turner and Tomáš Enge. It emerged fourth fastest of the nine GT2 cars present, with a best lap just two seconds shy of the pace-setting IMSA Performance Porsche 997 RSR.

Following its appearance at the FIA GT Championship Official Test at Nogaro, chassis V8/X2 returned to the French track in October for its long-awaited race debut. Entered by AMR in the Nogaro 2 Hours—round eight of the 2008 FIA GT Championship—the car was driven by Enge with Stefan Mucke, in whose hands it finished 20th overall and won the invitational G2 class. Just two weeks later, the pair secured the G2 class again at Zolder, on this occasion finishing a creditable 16th overall.

The 2009 season panned out with V8/X2 used only sparingly, an entry into the first round of the Asian Le Mans Series—the Okayama 1,000 Kilometres—representing the car’s sole race outing. Entered under the Team Hong Kong Racing banner, Enge qualified the car superbly to take the GT2 class pole, although the accommodation of local amateur co-drivers Jeffrey Lee and Philip Ma restricted the team to 17th position overall, and 9th in GT2, at the chequered flag.

Chassis V8/X2 next returned to competition in 2011, in the LMS-organised 6 Heures du Castellet. Bearing the white-and-red livery of the factory-affiliated Young Driver AMR squad, it was driven by Enge and Alex Muller; the pair qualifying a superb 2nd in the GTE-Pro category, behind the class pole-winning Ferrari 458 GT of former Minardi Formula 1 driver Gianmaria Bruni. However, the race proved a disappointment, with the car retiring from the race just after three-quarter distance. Although retained by Young Driver AMR and campaigned at April’s Le Mans Test Day by Enge, Muller, and Kristian Poulsen, chassis V8/X2 was only afforded a reserve entry for the 24 Hour race itself, and remained unused for the remainder of the year.

However, 2012 had chassis V8/X2 promoted to the full factory squad—and newly resplendent in the team’s iconic Gulf colours—for an assault on the GTE-Am category at Le Mans. Crewed by the all-Danish lineup of Allan Simonsen, Christoffer Nygaard, and Poulsen, the trio finished fastest in the category at the Test Day in early June. Such optimism continued into the race weekend, with Simonsen qualifying 3rd in GTE-Am, little more than a second behind the class-leading Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche. Regrettably, this was not to last, however, for a misfire demoted Simonsen from a fine 2nd in class after the first hour, with accident damage eliminating the car from the race entirely after just 31 laps.

Appropriately, chassis V8/X2’s competitive swansong was to be on home territory, in August’s Silverstone 6 Hours. Driven on this occasion by emerging GT talent Jonny Adam, and gentleman drivers Andrew Howard and Paul White, it regrettably retired after 157 of the 194 scheduled laps with engine failure.

Following the conclusion of its Aston Martin Racing career, chassis V8/X2 was retained by Prodrive for display purposes until 2021, when it was briefly sold to a German collector. However, later that year it was acquired by the present owner, who promptly entrusted it to marque specialists Pursuit Racing of Bicester, UK for full restoration and recommissioning to race-worthy condition.

Subsequent work performed has included the supply and fitment of a brand new engine from Prodrive,rebuilds of the gearbox, differential, and suspension, as well as uprating the electrical, fuel, hydraulic, cooling, and safety systems to the appropriate current, FIA-legal standards. Additionally, the car underwent a comprehensive body restoration—ensuring optimal fit of all panels and components—and a full re-livery to its 2012 Le Mans specification. Notably, the cost of all new components and work performed amounted to almost £360,000.

Offered together with a spare set of GTE-specification bodywork, significantly the car benefits from only dynamometer and shake-down mileage on its major components. Further enhanced by its impeccable “ex-Works” Aston Martin and Le Mans-competing credentials, chassis V8/X2 offers a highly attractive and competitive entry into the numerous “modern era” GT racing events for which it is eligible.

Please note this lot has entered the EU on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the lot outside of the EU on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties to have the lot remain in the EU.

Please also note, contrary to the printed catalogue, this Aston Martin was campaigned in the 2012 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with no further entries in the French race.

Veuillez noter que ce lot est entré dans l'UE sous couvert d'une autorisation d'importation temporaire, qui doit être annulée soit en exportant le lot en dehors de l'UE avec une lettre de débarquement approuvé accompagné des documents douaniers nécessaires, soit en payant la TVA et les droits d'importation applicables pour que le lot reste dans l'UE.

Veuillez noter, contrairement à ce qui est indiqué dans le catalogue, cette Aston Martin a participé à l'édition 2012 des 24 heures du Mans et n'a pas été utilisée par la suite.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/mc24/.