Aston to return to Le Mans

[doyle]

Aston to return to Le Mans
DB9 deal with Prodrive to break cover


Aston's Project 212 cracks on in the 1963 Le Mans test


Aston Martin and Prodrive have sealed a deal to build a DB9 Le Mans car, according to this week's Motorsport News.

Aston is said to be on the verge of announcing the new project which should see Cosworth V12-powered, Prodrive-built, DB9s on the grid for the 2005 Le Mans 24 Hours.

The car would run in the GTS class - which was won this year at La Sarthe by a Prodrive-built Ferrari 550 Maranello. Opposition by 2005 is likely to include Ferrari, Maserati and Chevrolet.The first of the 6-litre V12-powered DB9 road cars are due to be delivered to their new owners in the first half of 2004.

Aston Martin last raced in the Le Mans 24 Hours with its AMR 1 Group C car in 1989.