Laguna Seca: Aston Martin Thursday test report

Aston Martin Racing completed a two-hour test session at the Laguna Seca raceway this afternoon in preparation for the tenth and final round of the American Le Mans Series on Saturday 21 October. The team's two DBR9s had a trouble free test and finished the session first and fourth in the GT1 class.

Built in 1957, the 11-turn, 2.238 mile Laguna Seca Raceway is located in Monterey, California. The track has been newly resurfaced as part of a $7 million improvement initiative and unusually, runs anti-clockwise.

The race will be especially difficult for the Aston Martin team, as they have been penalised with an additional 50kg of weight following the Petit Le Mans race. The cars will now weigh 1150kg. This means that the team's DBR9s have received a 90kg increase relative to their opposition in just two races.

The build up to the race has been busy for the team. On Saturday 14 October the 007 DBR9, race drivers and crew attended an event at Aston Martin of Beverly Hills The drivers and team mingled with the 600 plus Aston Martin customers and guests and thrilled the crowd with pit stop demonstrations.

On Wednesday 18 October Tomas Enge delighted onlookers in downtown San Jose when he drove the 007 DBR9 around Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park in the 'Mini Le Mans' demonstration race. The crowd cheered as Enge and the other participants lit up the tyres of their race cars.

The 009 pit crew have been practicing for the final of the Klein Tools Pit Crew Challenge, which takes place at 11:30am on Friday 20 October; the winner receiving $20,000. The 009 pit crew are competing against Petersen White Lightning, BMW Team PTG and defending champions Corvette Racing. The final consists of three head to head matches, the winner of each of the first two phases advancing to the final. The pit stop challenge is a race against the clock to complete a full driver change, simulated refuelling and four-tyre change.

-credit: www.astonmartinracing.com