…On Friday morning, Aston Martin took the wraps off its latest road-going supercar. The GT8 is heavily based on the company’s GTE racing machinery, featuring a 4.7 litre V8 engine capable of producing 440 brake horsepower. All 150 units have been sold for a price of £165,000 each.
…Manor saw both its Oreca 05-Nissan LMP2 cars on track for the first time. Team boss Graeme Lowdon later told The Checkered Flag that after a successful wet weather test at Rockingham last week, the two crews are ready to tackle their first FIA WEC race.
…In ELMS, the G-Drive Racing Gibson 015S-Nissan was left stranded in its garage for the duration of FP2. Jota Sport’s Sam Hignett confirmed a gearbox issue, but the car is now fixed and ready for the race tomorrow.
…Another car to hit trouble in ELMS second practice was the Panis-Barthez Competition Ligier JS P2. The Nissan-powered machine lost a wheel nut negotiating Club corner, forcing driver Paul-Loup Chatin to crawl back to the pits. Panis-Barthez recovered to finish fourth quickest in session.
…SPOTTED: BTCC star Jason Plato strolling into the Wing building on the international straight. Perhaps a hint of a future career change for the two-time champ…
…SPOTTED: Andre Lotterer trying his best to draw a blindfold map of the Silverstone GP circuit. Fortunately, for a previous race winner at Silverstone, the Audi LMP1 star demonstrated pinpoint accuracy.
…Anglo-American team United Autosports today announced it will become the official UK agent for the LMP3 and CN cars manufactured by French company Onroak Automotive. There are 19 Onroak-produced LMP3 cars on track this weekend, with two in United Autosports colours. A UK-based prototype series is also reportedly in the works.
…Lubricant company Motul today revealed a new deal to become the ‘Official Lubricant’ of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 2016 FIA WEC. Motul president Hervé Amelot said the partnership would help spread the “passion and and emotion” of endurance racing.
