Aston Martin AMR1
Encyclopedia
The Aston Martin AMR1 was a Group C
formula racing car developed in 1989 for car manufacturer Aston Martin
. It participated in the 1989 World Sportscar Championship season
and 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans
.
in the early 1980s, it was decided that Aston Martin would attempt to create their own car for the World Sportscar Championship
. Thus in late 1987 a partnership between Aston Martin and Scottish racing firm Ecurie Ecosse
would be formed, creating a new company known as Proteus Technology Ltd. (Protech). The team would develop and run the AMR1 project, competing for the first time during the 1989 season.
Richard Williams was named as the team's manager. With him, Max Boxstrom would be the lead designer and Reeves Callaway, of Callaway Cars Incorporated
, would build the engine. The chassis and bodywork designed by Boxstrom would be built by British firm Courtaulds. For the engine, Callaway would use 5.3L V8 units from the newly launched Aston Martin Virage
, ending up with a 600 hp 6.0L engine known as the RDP87. With this combination, a total of five AMR1 chassis would be finished in early 1989.
in Japan. Unfortunately, AMR1/01 was involved in an accident during testing at Donington Park
and was damaged beyond repair. Thus Aston Martin was forced to skip the first round, incurring a $250,000 fine by FIA's newly amended rule which required C1 cars to enter all round of the season and instead premiered chassis AMR1/01 at Dijon-Prenois
, where it finished a disappointing 17th.
Although not part of the World Sportscar Championship in 1989, Aston Martin next turned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans
. Two cars were entered, chassis #01 and #03. The cars unfortunately were underpowered in comparison to their competitors, qualifying 32nd and 40th in a field of 56 cars. During the race itself, the cars were able to run in the mid-pack before AMR1/03 suffered electrical problems and was forced to retire during the first half of the race. AMR1/01 was able to continue on, was able to finish in 11th place overall.
Due to a lack of time between Le Mans and the 3rd round of the World Sportscar Championship, Aston Martin decided to skip it, returning instead at Brands Hatch
where AMR1/04 took home an exciting 4th place finish in front of the British crowd, then following it up with an 8th place finish at the Nürburgring
.
For the 6th round of the year, the World Sportscar Championship again returned to British soil. Aston Martin therefore decided to run two AMR1s at Donington Park
, debuting newly built chassis #05. The two cars were able to finish 6th and 7th. Both cars raced again at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
where Aston Martin suffered their only other failure to finish in the season, chassis #04 having suffered engine failure. However, chassis #05, which had now been upgraded with an even more powerful 720+ bhp, Version II 6.3L V8, was able to finish a respectable 7th. For the final round in Mexico, Aston Martin decided to take only chassis #05, where they finished 8th.
Ending the season, Aston Martin
had finished in the points championship in 6th place, behind the factory Mercedes-Benz
, Porsche
, Jaguar
, and Nissan teams, although they were able to defeat the Toyota team.
. The AMR2 combined the chassis of the AMR1, a newer and more powerful 6.3L Version III V8, and an evolved, more aerodynamic body design. The AMR2 was promised to be faster in a straight line then the AMR1 (with a predicted top speed of 230+ mph), a problem which had greatly hindered AMR1 at Le Mans.
However Protech became bankrupt and was forced to close in February 1990 before the chassis AMR2/06 could be completed. AMR2/06 was later built up from left over parts and fitted with an AMR1 body. Aesthetically AMR2/06 looks exactly the same as an AMR1 even with the same Mobil 1
livery.
. But Aston Martin
were forced to drop out of motor racing due to the economic instability of the company at the time. It would be the last racing car produced by Aston Martin for fifteen years until the launch of the DBR9
in 2005.
A total of five AMR1 chassis
were built.
AMR1/01 is now owned by the Aston Martin Heritage Trust.
AMR1/03 had also been sold on the open market, selling for €294,250 ($359,987) at auction in 2004
AMR1/04 was the first AMR1 to reach auction, selling at a Brooks (now Bonhams)/Aston Martin Lagonda
auction in 2000. The car sold for £133,500. Currently AMR1/04 is used in the Historic Sportscar Racing series in North America.
AMR1/05 is currently raced in Europe by owner Paul Whight and run by Cadena Motorsport.
Group C
Group C was a category of motorsport, introduced by the FIA in 1982 for sports car racing, along with Group A for touring cars and Group B for GTs....
formula racing car developed in 1989 for car manufacturer Aston Martin
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire...
. It participated in the 1989 World Sportscar Championship season
1989 World Sportscar Championship season
The 1989 World Sportscar Championship season was the 37th season of FIA World Sportscar Championship motor racing. It featured the 1989 FIA World Sports Prototype Championship, which was open to Group C1 Sports Prototypes, Group C2 Sports Prototypes and IMSA GTP cars...
and 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans
1989 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 57th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 10 and 11 1989.-Race:The race was the last time the 24 Hours of Le Mans ran without the two chicanes on the Mulsanne Straight; for the interest of safety to reduce speeds after speeds reaching in the previous...
.
Design
Following Aston Martin's racing efforts as an engine supplier for Nimrod Racing and EMKA RacingEMKA Racing
EMKA Racing was a British racing team founded in 1980 by Steve O'Rourke, manager of the band Pink Floyd. The team occasionally ran under the name of EMKA Productions, the name of O'Rourke's management company. The team's name comes from O'Rourke's two daughters, Emma and Katheryne...
in the early 1980s, it was decided that Aston Martin would attempt to create their own car for the World Sportscar Championship
World Sportscar Championship
The World Sportscar Championship was the world series run for sports car racing by the FIA from 1953 to 1992.The championship evolved from a small collection of the most important sportscar, endurance and road racing events in Europe and North America with dozens of gentleman drivers at the grid,...
. Thus in late 1987 a partnership between Aston Martin and Scottish racing firm Ecurie Ecosse
Ecurie Ecosse
Ecurie Ecosse was a motor racing team from Scotland. The team was founded in 1952 by Edinburgh businessman and racing driver David Murray and mechanic Wilkie Wilkinson, its most notable achievement was winning both the 1956 and 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team also raced in three Formula One races...
would be formed, creating a new company known as Proteus Technology Ltd. (Protech). The team would develop and run the AMR1 project, competing for the first time during the 1989 season.
Richard Williams was named as the team's manager. With him, Max Boxstrom would be the lead designer and Reeves Callaway, of Callaway Cars Incorporated
Callaway Cars Incorporated
Callaway Cars Inc. is an engine design company who is notable for their modification of Chevrolet cars, the Corvette sport cars in particular, especially their twin-turbo kit that became a dealer option and their record breaking Corvette Sledgehammer car....
, would build the engine. The chassis and bodywork designed by Boxstrom would be built by British firm Courtaulds. For the engine, Callaway would use 5.3L V8 units from the newly launched Aston Martin Virage
Aston Martin Virage
The Virage was Aston Martin's replacement for the decades-old V8 models. Introduced at the Birmingham Motor Show in 1988, it was joined by the high-performance Vantage in 1993, and the name of the standard car was changed to V8 in 1996....
, ending up with a 600 hp 6.0L engine known as the RDP87. With this combination, a total of five AMR1 chassis would be finished in early 1989.
Racing history
With AMR1/01 completed, testing began in preparation for the first race at Suzuka CircuitSuzuka Circuit
, Suzuka Circuit for short, is a motorsport race track located in Ino, Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan and operated by Mobilityland Corporation, the subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd..-Introduction:...
in Japan. Unfortunately, AMR1/01 was involved in an accident during testing at Donington Park
Donington Park
Donington Park is a motorsport circuit near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England.Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was created as a racing circuit during the pre-war period when the German Silver Arrows were battling for the European Championship...
and was damaged beyond repair. Thus Aston Martin was forced to skip the first round, incurring a $250,000 fine by FIA's newly amended rule which required C1 cars to enter all round of the season and instead premiered chassis AMR1/01 at Dijon-Prenois
Dijon-Prenois
Dijon-Prenois is a motor racing circuit located in Prenois, near Dijon, France. The undulating track is noted for its fast, sweeping bends....
, where it finished a disappointing 17th.
Although not part of the World Sportscar Championship in 1989, Aston Martin next turned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
. Two cars were entered, chassis #01 and #03. The cars unfortunately were underpowered in comparison to their competitors, qualifying 32nd and 40th in a field of 56 cars. During the race itself, the cars were able to run in the mid-pack before AMR1/03 suffered electrical problems and was forced to retire during the first half of the race. AMR1/01 was able to continue on, was able to finish in 11th place overall.
Due to a lack of time between Le Mans and the 3rd round of the World Sportscar Championship, Aston Martin decided to skip it, returning instead at Brands Hatch
1989 480km of Brands Hatch
The 1989 Brands Hatch Trophy was the fourth round of the 1989 World Sportscar Championship season. It took place at Brands Hatch, Great Britain on July 23, 1989.-Official results:Class winners in bold...
where AMR1/04 took home an exciting 4th place finish in front of the British crowd, then following it up with an 8th place finish at the Nürburgring
1989 480km of Nürburgring
The 1989 International ADAC Trophäe was the fifth round of the 1989 World Sportscar Championship season. It took place at the Nürburgring, West Germany on August 20, 1989.-Official results:Class winners in bold...
.
For the 6th round of the year, the World Sportscar Championship again returned to British soil. Aston Martin therefore decided to run two AMR1s at Donington Park
Donington Park
Donington Park is a motorsport circuit near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England.Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was created as a racing circuit during the pre-war period when the German Silver Arrows were battling for the European Championship...
, debuting newly built chassis #05. The two cars were able to finish 6th and 7th. Both cars raced again at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hours endurance race. It is also home to the all Volkswagen club event, 25 Hours of Spa, run by the Uniroyal Fun Cup. It is one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, mainly due to its...
where Aston Martin suffered their only other failure to finish in the season, chassis #04 having suffered engine failure. However, chassis #05, which had now been upgraded with an even more powerful 720+ bhp, Version II 6.3L V8, was able to finish a respectable 7th. For the final round in Mexico, Aston Martin decided to take only chassis #05, where they finished 8th.
Ending the season, Aston Martin
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire...
had finished in the points championship in 6th place, behind the factory Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
, Porsche
Porsche
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
, Jaguar
Jaguar (car)
Jaguar Cars Ltd, known simply as Jaguar , is a British luxury car manufacturer, headquartered in Whitley, Coventry, England. It is part of the Jaguar Land Rover business, a subsidiary of the Indian company Tata Motors....
, and Nissan teams, although they were able to defeat the Toyota team.
AMR2
At the time of the end of the 1989 season, Protech was already beginning development of the AMR2 for 1990. With the intention for this car to race alongside another two AMR1's in the 1990 24 Hours of Le Mans1990 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1990 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 58th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 16 and 17 1990.-Pre-race:This was the first race after the installation of two chicanes along the Mulsanne Straight in an attempt to slow the prototypes down after speeds of were reached in previous...
. The AMR2 combined the chassis of the AMR1, a newer and more powerful 6.3L Version III V8, and an evolved, more aerodynamic body design. The AMR2 was promised to be faster in a straight line then the AMR1 (with a predicted top speed of 230+ mph), a problem which had greatly hindered AMR1 at Le Mans.
However Protech became bankrupt and was forced to close in February 1990 before the chassis AMR2/06 could be completed. AMR2/06 was later built up from left over parts and fitted with an AMR1 body. Aesthetically AMR2/06 looks exactly the same as an AMR1 even with the same Mobil 1
Mobil 1
Mobil 1 is a brand name developed by the Mobil oil company and now marketed by ExxonMobil.It was introduced in 1974 as a 5w single viscosity fully synthetic motor oil advertised for use up to 25,000 miles. Later, the miles-specific recommendation was dropped and the product reformulated in other...
livery.
AMR3
Shortly before closure of Protech, plans for another racing car were put in place. For a 1991 Aston Martin AMR3, this time to be designed by Tony SouthgateTony Southgate
Tony Southgate is a British engineer and former racing car designer. He designed many successful cars, including Jaguar's Le Mans-winning XJR-9, and cars for almost every type of circuit racing. He was responsible for the chassis design of Ford's RS200 Group B rally car...
. But Aston Martin
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire...
were forced to drop out of motor racing due to the economic instability of the company at the time. It would be the last racing car produced by Aston Martin for fifteen years until the launch of the DBR9
Aston Martin DBR9
The Aston Martin DBR9 is a racing car built by Aston Martin Racing, debuting in 2005. The name DBR9 is derived from the original 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning DBR1 car, named for then-owner David Brown, which not only won the 24 Hour race in 1959 but also the World Sportscar title.-Development:Based...
in 2005.
Chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
were built.
AMR1/01 is now owned by the Aston Martin Heritage Trust.
AMR1/03 had also been sold on the open market, selling for €294,250 ($359,987) at auction in 2004
AMR1/04 was the first AMR1 to reach auction, selling at a Brooks (now Bonhams)/Aston Martin Lagonda
Aston Martin Lagonda
The Aston Martin Lagonda was a luxury four-door saloon built by Aston Martin of Newport Pagnell, England, between 1974 and 1990. A total of 645 were produced. The name was derived from the Lagonda marque that Aston Martin had purchased in 1947...
auction in 2000. The car sold for £133,500. Currently AMR1/04 is used in the Historic Sportscar Racing series in North America.
AMR1/05 is currently raced in Europe by owner Paul Whight and run by Cadena Motorsport.
Results
| Year | Race | Chassis | Drivers | Pos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Dijon Dijon-Prenois Dijon-Prenois is a motor racing circuit located in Prenois, near Dijon, France. The undulating track is noted for its fast, sweeping bends.... 480km |
AMR1/01 |  Brian RedmanBrian Redman Brian Herman Thomas Redman is a British racing driver from England.... David LeslieDavid Leslie (racing driver) David Leslie was a racing driver. He was most associated with the British Touring Car Championship, in which he was runner-up in 1999. He was particularly noted for his development skill, helping both Honda and Nissan become BTCC race winners... |
17th |
| 1989 | Le Mans 24 Hours of Le Mans The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining... |
AMR1/01 | Brian Redman Brian Redman Brian Herman Thomas Redman is a British racing driver from England....  Michael Roe Costas Los |
11th |
| 1989 | Le Mans 24 Hours of Le Mans The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining... |
AMR1/03 | David Leslie David Leslie (racing driver) David Leslie was a racing driver. He was most associated with the British Touring Car Championship, in which he was runner-up in 1999. He was particularly noted for his development skill, helping both Honda and Nissan become BTCC race winners... Ray Mallock David SearsDavid Sears (Motorsport) John David Sears is a former racing driver turned owner of the Super Nova GP2 team. He also managed drivers such as Jan Magnussen, Taki Inoue and Vincenzo Sospiri and is son to Jack.He turned down the chance to buy Simtek at the end of 1994.-Foot notes:... |
DNF |
| 1989 | Brands Hatch Brands Hatch Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent, England. First used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events... |
AMR1/04 | Brian Redman Brian Redman Brian Herman Thomas Redman is a British racing driver from England.... David LeslieDavid Leslie (racing driver) David Leslie was a racing driver. He was most associated with the British Touring Car Championship, in which he was runner-up in 1999. He was particularly noted for his development skill, helping both Honda and Nissan become BTCC race winners... |
4th |
| 1989 | Nürburgring Nürburgring The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about... |
AMR1/04 | Brian Redman Brian Redman Brian Herman Thomas Redman is a British racing driver from England.... David LeslieDavid Leslie (racing driver) David Leslie was a racing driver. He was most associated with the British Touring Car Championship, in which he was runner-up in 1999. He was particularly noted for his development skill, helping both Honda and Nissan become BTCC race winners... |
8th |
| 1989 | Donington 1989 480km of Donington The 1989 Wheatcroft Gold Cup was the sixth round of the 1989 World Sportscar Championship season. It took place at Donington Park, England on September 3, 1989.-Official results:Class winners in bold... |
AMR1/04 | Michael Roe David Leslie David Leslie (racing driver) David Leslie was a racing driver. He was most associated with the British Touring Car Championship, in which he was runner-up in 1999. He was particularly noted for his development skill, helping both Honda and Nissan become BTCC race winners... |
6th |
| 1989 | Spa 1989 480km of Spa The 1989 Coupes de Spa was the seventh round of the 1989 World Sportscar Championship season. It took place at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium on September 17, 1989.-Official results:Class winners in bold... 480km |
AMR1/04 | Michael Roe David Leslie David Leslie (racing driver) David Leslie was a racing driver. He was most associated with the British Touring Car Championship, in which he was runner-up in 1999. He was particularly noted for his development skill, helping both Honda and Nissan become BTCC race winners... |
DNF |
| 1989 | Donington 1989 480km of Donington The 1989 Wheatcroft Gold Cup was the sixth round of the 1989 World Sportscar Championship season. It took place at Donington Park, England on September 3, 1989.-Official results:Class winners in bold... |
AMR1/05 | Brian Redman Brian Redman Brian Herman Thomas Redman is a British racing driver from England.... David SearsDavid Sears (Motorsport) John David Sears is a former racing driver turned owner of the Super Nova GP2 team. He also managed drivers such as Jan Magnussen, Taki Inoue and Vincenzo Sospiri and is son to Jack.He turned down the chance to buy Simtek at the end of 1994.-Foot notes:... |
7th |
| 1989 | Spa 1989 480km of Spa The 1989 Coupes de Spa was the seventh round of the 1989 World Sportscar Championship season. It took place at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium on September 17, 1989.-Official results:Class winners in bold... 480km |
AMR1/05 | Brian Redman Brian Redman Brian Herman Thomas Redman is a British racing driver from England....  Stanley DickensStanley Dickens Stanley Dickens is a Swedish race car driver who won the Le Mans 24 hours in 1989 driving a Sauber C9-Mercedes.-External links:*http://stanleydickens.com/... |
7th |
| 1989 | Mexico 1989 480km of Mexico The 1989 Trofeo Hermanos Rodríguez was the eighth and final round of the 1989 World Sportscar Championship season. It took place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico on October 29, 1989.... 480km |
AMR1/05 | Brian Redman Brian Redman Brian Herman Thomas Redman is a British racing driver from England.... David LeslieDavid Leslie (racing driver) David Leslie was a racing driver. He was most associated with the British Touring Car Championship, in which he was runner-up in 1999. He was particularly noted for his development skill, helping both Honda and Nissan become BTCC race winners... |
8th |
External links
- Aston Martin Picture Gallery - AMR1 AstonMartins.com
- Technical analysis of AMR1 MulsannesCorner.com