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Le Mans 24 Hours Racing (2009)





Racing for Le Mans 24 Hours has come this year again. It has been fifty years since Aston Martin's victory of Le Mans in 1959 (the current LMP1 class), and Aston Martin entered its cars numbered 007, 008 and 009 with V12 petrol engines in LMP1 class. That would be worthy of a British sports car maker to take such a challenge memorably.

In the LMP1 class, Aston Martin had to fight against nine monster cars, including three R15s and two R10s of Audi, both of which were equipped with diesel turbo engines, and four 908 of Peugeot trying to revenge the defeat of last year by all means.

These nine diesel turbo engine cars were obviously superior to speed and quietness, when compared with petrol engine cars, such as 5 seconds faster per one rap of 13.6 km at the Sarthe Circuit. The Le Mans regulations, however, allowed petrol cars to have a little bigger gasoline tank (90 litters for petrol cars and 81 litters for diesel cars).
Despite clear handicaps, existing before the race, three cars of Aston Martin showed a good fight with the 007 car finishing an excellent fourth overall - the quickest of all the petrol cars.
This year, Peugeot realized its long-awaited dream of taking first and second places in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Incidentally, the winning driver of Peugeot was David Brabham - the winning driver of Aston Martin GT1 driver in 2007 and 2008 before - has patronized 'Immun' Âge' for a long time.

During the industrial revolution started in England, the main power sources of wind and water were shifted to fossil fuels for steam engines. The global, simultaneous economic downturn undergoing these days, coupled with rapid advancement of science and technology; wind and water have been looked at as the source of energy again ironically, and as a result, car engine seems to be shifting from new typed diesel to electric motor.
It occurs to me that Aston martin will be fighting against electric cars at Le Mans in ten years from now.

Yuki HAYASHI








With Aston Martin's Chairman -cum- Aston Martin Racing's president, David and his wife being a little nervous before the race
With Jaguar XK brand manager, James
Can we see a majestic figure of Jaguar in Le Mans next year?
A guy from Aston Martin who was showing a big smile being surrounded by beautiful women at the reception party on the day before the race Introduction of all the drivers

Driver of The 007, Jan Charouz
He is young but calm and fast.
Darren Turner who is already familiar to us
and Peter Kox who has returned to Aston Martin
So many Aston Martin Cars in the Parking of Le Mans
After a long drive from England to Le Mans to participate in this race, the cars are quite dirty.
All the members including guests get energy to go through 24 hours by taking Immun' Âge!
Breakfast before the race Le Mans poster signed by the Aston drivers
With Darren's girlfriend and Sadie
Relaxing mood is important before the race.
With Dr.Bez and my family
Dr.Bez having Immun' Âge before the race
Mr. Katsura vising from Peugeot booth
Marketing Director of Osato Distribution Ltd, Bernard and Yuki Jr. The race is just about to start!!
Sun Set at the Le Mans circuit
Visiting the pit of Aston Martin
This year, the regulation was changed and it became difficult to visit the pit.
It is a hard work to wash the wheels
for 24 hours use!
With Gulf vice President
He is a good friend of mine.
The car coming back to the pit
The pit crews start working as one.
Trying to point out the Immun' Âge logo on the side of the big trailer shown as a technical partner, but not being able to reach it With Darren while having a little break during the race

Everybody in the Aston Martin driver's tent can have Immun' Âge any time. Beautifully presented Immun' Âge
Darren was taking Immun' Âge before taking
over 008 for the final hours of the race.
The 007 is just about to finish the race.
The awarding ceremony was full of people.
Party with ORI members celebrating the fantastic resultsl
Richard was also satisfied with the result, the fourth overall.
"Congratulation, Jan Charouz"
Comments from David and Dr. Bez after the race
Party with the pit crews after the race
  • 2009.06.26
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