Aston Martin is entering the four-door Rapide in the Nürburgring 24 Hours race, to be held on 15-16 May on the famously demanding Nordschleife. Driven by a team of engineers from Aston’s Gaydon headquarters – including Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez – the Rapide will compete in near-standard specification.

“This race represents the ultimate final engineering durability test for any sports car,” says Bez. “It subjects the car to the toughest possible assessment under public scrutiny.”

The Rapide will undergo only essential racing modifications, such as removing interior trim to reduce weight, re-tuning the suspension and running on slick tyres.

Aston Martin already has a proven track record at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, using road cars with only very limited modifications, and winning the SP8 class in both 2008 and 2009. For 2010, the Rapide will be joined on the Nordschleife by the V12 Vantage – again only mildly modified – which last year swept to a class win on its competitive race debut.

Deliveries of the road-going Rapide will start later this month, through Aston Martin’s 125-strong global dealership network.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Aston Martin