The high performance English coachbuilder Aston Martin has announced that after competing in the 37th Nürburgring 24 hour race this past May, the V12 Vantage muscle car is also slated to compete in the upcoming Shelsley Walsh National Hill Climb Festival that will take place soon on August 15-16.
This beautiful blue Aston Martin not only receives the 6.0 Liter V12 from the larger Aston Martin DBS, but also a pair of really cool rally inspired driving lamps in the grill and an interesting wheel and tire combination, that judging from the photo varies from front to rear. This Nür spec Vantage almost certainly has a few more than the standard versions 510 HP resting underneath that wonderfully vented hood and should also be able to better the production version’s 4.2 second 0 to 60 MPH time, but where they might have gotten close to the roadgoing car’s 190 MPH top speed on the back straight at the Nordshleif, it’s doubtful that they will get anywhere close on the hill.
U.K. motoring journalist Richard Meaden is scheduled to drive the V12 Vantage up the hill. This accredited racer formed part of the driver lineup that piloted the car to victory at the Nürburgring only three months ago. Meaden will be joined by fellow writer Matt Prior from Autocar Magazine when they face the narrow stretches at Shelsley.
Press release after the jump.
2009 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Hill Climb
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- Model: 2009 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Hill Climb
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Press release
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage race car which swept to a stunning debut class victory in the 37th Nürburgring 24 hour race in May will compete in the Shelsley Walsh National Hill Climb Festival on 15/16 August 2009.
The near production standard V12 Vantage will make its UK competition debut at the historic hill climb course in Worcestershire, UK. In continuous use since 1905, Shelsley Walsh was the first purpose built motor sport venue in history and has continued to be at the heart of British motor sport ever since. Shelsley was founded and is still run today by The Midland Automobile Club and the annual hill climb attracts in excess of 200 competitors and some 30,000 spectators.
The hill climb course is 1,000 yards (914m) in length and no more than 12 feet (3.66m) wide at its narrowest points. It is notably steep, rising 328 feet (100m) over the length of the course making Shelsley a hill on which power is especially important.
The V12 Vantage will be driven by UK motoring journalists Richard Meaden - who formed part of the driver team that piloted the car to victory at the Nürburgring in May and Matt Prior from Autocar magazine.
Aston Martin’s Head of Motorsport, David King said: “The brief but daunting challenge of the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb is a complete contrast to the Nürburgring 24 hour race where the V12 Vantage recently took class victory and as such we are not expecting to beat the hill climb specialists. However, it will be a privilege to give the car its UK competition debut at such a special and historic venue which is on the doorstep of our global headquarters.”
Practice day for the Shelsley Walsh National Hill Climb is on Saturday 15 August with the first runs of the competition taking place on Sunday 16 August from 9.30am.