After a successful maiden year in 2010, Aston Martin Racing has increased the number of races in The Aston Martin GT4 Challenge to nine, including two rounds in mainland Europe at Spa Francorchamps and Dijon, as well as introducing two longer, three hour races.
With high interest in the series, average grid size is expected to grow to 20 cars. A large reason for the growth is cost. Despite adding three more races to the calendar, the entry fee for the season remains the same as in 2010 at £12,950 per car.
“This year showed what demand there was from Aston Martin owners for their own one-make series and it is because of their positive feedback and their suggestions that we are expanding the series next year and including longer races,” said Aston Martin Chairman, David Richards. “I was fortunate to have competed at the Silverstone round this year and I fully intend to get behind the wheel again in 2011; this time in the new Vantage GT4.”
Based around the V8 Vantage road car, the series provides the first step on the GT ladder. The Challenge Series is open to Aston Martin Vantage N24 and GT4 cars, including the new enhanced Vantage GT4 for 2011. To ensure competitive racing, there will be mandatory pit stops and teams can have one, two or three drivers. Interest in the 2011 challenge is strong with six teams already signed-up.
The 2010 GT4 Challenge was won by the father and son partnership of Chris and Ant Scragg, who won every round of the six-race series. For 2011, Ant Scragg and fellow GT4 Challenge competitor, James Appleby, will step up to the European GT4 Cup where they will compete in a new 2011 Vantage GT4, running as the factory supported Generation AMR team.
Provisional 2011 calendar:
| 30 April | Silverstone (90 min) |
| 14 May | Snetterton (180 min) |
| 25 June | Donington Park (180 min) |
| 26 June | Donington Park (90 min) |
| 8-9 July | Spa Francorchamps (2 x 60 min) |
| 6 August | Oulton Park (90 min) |
| 27 August | Brands Hatch (90 min) |
| 10-11 September | Dijon Prenois (80 min) |
