Just as the coming of spring in Japan was two weeks late this year, it was still quite cold in Europe. The temperature in Nürburgring was only 3 degrees Celsius in the morning.
Because of the changeable weather with watery sky on the day before the race, the tires did not get warmed up enough and all the teams had a difficult time.
One of the Aston Martin's dual entries in SP8 Class was new four-door Rapide, which was released in May simultaneously all over the world. Aston Martin's CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez participated as one of the drivers. The other was V12 Vantage, the winner of last year. The race started at 15.00 CET on 15 May 2010, which was a brilliantly sunny day.

Until the last six hours of the race, V12 Vantage and Rapide remained in 1st and 3rd place in class, but suddenly V12 Vantage stopped in the middle of the circuit due to fuel pump issues.
Head of Motorsport, David King rushed to the Aston Martin DBS by driving the Cygnet and took the wheel of the DBS to get the V12 Vantage towed back to the pit. It was the moment when the DBS became the most expensive tow car in the world.

The 24-hour Nürburgring race came to end at 15.00 CET on 16 May 2010 with the victory of Lexus LFA under the prodding of Toyota Mortor's CEO, Mr. Akio Toyoda. Rapid and V12 Vantage took 2nd and 3rd place in class respectively.

Anyway, the silhouette of Rapide was so beautiful on the circuit.

During the race, the test-ride event of Aston Martin was held as well.
The Cygnet came on the scene. Wondering which is prettier?	This is the Cygnet we keep hearing about!
Dinner party with Aston's head of motorsports and drivers the night before the race
Wife of Mr. Hayashi with Dr. Bez and David King	With Staffs assigned to Guest Service Stirring up fighting spirit before the start of 24-hour race
Final checks just before the race	V12 Vantage, that won last year, creates a beautiful contrast of green and black.
drivers of V12 Vantage	Saying "Hi" to the driver Wolfgang just before the race
Rapide on the starting grid Beautiful front face of blue color	Rapide is just so beautiful. It doesn't look like a four-door car.
drivers of Rapide	Reunion with wife of Dr. Bez
Dr. Bez looks a little nervous. This year, he is in a fashionable racing suit of blue color coordinated with Rapide.	Driver as well as AstonMartin's Nürburgring Test Centre Director; Wolfgang and public relations officer; Kim
AstonMartin's head of motor sports; David King He is a chief engineer at the factory.	Yearly reunion with Aston Martin's reliable mechanics
The 24-hour race doesn't stop all though the night.	Midnight refueling
Pit stop of V12	This year, LEXUS LFA fights with its back to the wall with the super GT driver; Wakisaka.
Beautiful morning in Nürburgring after the long night	Changes of tires in the first light of the day
Snacks for the pit crews who fights for 24 hours	Taking short breaks
No matter who you are, never talk to me now!	I met Mr. Morizo for the first time in a year. He said he was just a cameraman this year.
One of the Rapide drivers; British journalist Matthew from Hong kong I introduced him to Mr. morizo.	This year, for Lexus LFA victory was a mandatory mission.
All the Lexus LFA team members were staring at the last pit stop. Congratulations to Victory in SP8 class!	Dr. Bez, waiting for his stint
Last pit stop before the goal The car is now cleaned for the moment of the goal.	Aston Martin missed a victory this time, but took 2nd and 3rd in class with amazing fights. They proved its ability and reliability as sports cars.
The tough race is over! Yeah !!	Beautiful smile of the team
Evaluation meeting with the team members	Making a toast with David King
Dr. Bez was happy with the result that Rapide took 2nd in class.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a famous sports car endurance race held annually in June since 1923 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France. It is such a demanding race that requires not only the ability of a car and drivers to be fast, but also the mental and physical stamina, coupled with the good team work to last over a 24-hour period.

During the two days of the race this year, from June 16 to 17, the weather was quite odd with sunshine and intermittent rains, on and off, possibly due to the global warming. All the participating teams were bothered permanently about the timing of the tire changes in response to the track conditions, which were wet in some instances and dry in others, and the drivers were required to show their additional capacity and experience more than in usual years, dealing with the constantly changeable weather. The only consolation was a moderate temperature like in England.

After a break from international car races, Aston Martin got back to the Le Mans in 2005 under Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin's Chief Executive. In the last two races, although the team maintained its 1st position until a few hours before the goal, it could not gain a victory over its rival Corvette, due to machine trouble and ended up in the 3rd and 2nd positions. Then finally, at the third challenge, the Aston Martin triumphed at Le Mans with the DBR9 - number 009 - winning GT1 class victory and remarkable 5th overall for the first time since 1959.

David Brabham, Rickard Rydell and Darren Turner were the three drivers who achieved this magnificent victory. The Immun'Age healthcare team supported their conditions throughout the race (from the viewpoint of managing a high oxidative stress), as the Aston Martin technical partner. As a result, the drivers could maintain their body strength and concentration and finish the race without any mistake after the 24 hours of non-stop competition. Moreover, this year, all the six cars from Aston Martin ran the whole distance and proved its unfailing reliability.

Preceding day before Le Mans race.	With Mr. David Richard.
CEO Dr. Bez. who enjoyed classic car parading.	Prof. Okezie instructed method of sampling for ureanalysis to racing drivers.
In tension, at pit before start.	To not only Dr. Pierre and Aston Martin Racing Immun'Age drivers, but also to spectators, 24 hours is long and boring. All people take Immun'Age.
Operation at pit.	With Dr. Bez.
Instant of win.	Wnning celebration.
Participating into research of Immun'Age, and winning car DBR9 and driver thereof. First, with Darren Turner.	Second, with David Brabham.
Last with Rydell.

The 76th Le Mans 24 Hours race was held on 14th and 15th of June at the La Sarthe circuit. One year after their first win in 2007, the 009 DBR9 of Aston Martin claimed another victory in the GT1 Class.

The Aston Martin started the race in good form with temperature of 8 to 20 degrees centigrade, which was as mild as that of England, their home county. In 12 hours after the start, however, it rained quite heavily and it was never an easy race. The 009 car crossed the finish line just under 5 minutes ahead of a second placed, Corvette. The difference was only one circuit run.

At Le Mans 2008, all the members of 009 DBR team including drivers and pit crews took FPP. And then, let me be allowed to say that the drivers, car, and all the team members not only formed a firm unity but also accomplished a great achievement of the two consecutive years wins.The Aston Martin continues to try their limits by always introducing the latest technology, and they never forget that the most important is to add their proficient handmade skills, leaving something special with their cars in the pursuit of Le Mans goals.

At reception, preceding day before race	Snapshot with Sadie Aston Martin Racing.
With racing drivers Mr. Daren Turner and Mr. Suzuki.	Cap `Immunage` of Turner looks good.
Sophistcated Aston Martin Racing prefabricated house assembled at site.	Booth of Immun'Age, decorated neatly.
Tensional instant just before race, despite it, driver manages to show smile.
After long while, meets again with Dr. Bez.	Cheerful Dr. Pierre.
Near time to start.	Tension before start.
	24 hours is long.
Crash helmet named with Immun'Age also takes rest.	Supporting crews take rest too.
Only 30 minutes remain until win, everyman is fluttering.	Final pit in.
Instant of win 2 years in row.	Share delight with Dr. Bez.
Nice smile of couple Mr. and Mrs. Richard.	Hayashi family with couple Dr. and Mrs. Bez.
Award ceremony.	Thanks for so much efforts.
On face of Darren in relief, trophy shining. Curtain 2008 Le Mans has fallen.

Since the Aston Martin came back to Le Mans in 2005, the Osato Research Institute has been supporting drivers' health of Aston Martin Racing with Immun'Age (FPP - Fermented papaya preparation) as their technical partner.

The purpose is to prevent drivers' oxidative stress during the race and decrease DNA damage. In order to prove it scientifically, analysis of blood samples of the drivers were necessary, though it is impossible to get them during the race. However, it has become possible through collaboration with the Grenoble University to obtain results from analysis of urine sample. In 2007, we conducted a research with 009 DBR9 drivers during Le Mans 24-hours race. The result was Aston Martin's first victory since they triumphed overall in 1959 and we gained a data to prove DNA damage decrease of two drivers - David Brabham and Darren Turner - who took FPP.

At Le Mans 2008, all the members of 009 DBR team including drivers and pit crews took FPP. And then, let me be allowed to say that the drivers, car, and all the team members not only formed a firm unity but also accomplished a great achievement of the two consecutive years wins.

Yuki HAYASHI

At the three all oxidative stress markers, The results of the two supplemented drivers shows that FPP significantly protects them against increase of oxidative stress comparatively of the non supplemented driver.

Markers of oxidative stress

MDA
Malondialdehyde(MDA) is the end-product of lipid peroxidation, which is a process where reactive oxygen species degrade polyunsaturated lipids. This compound is a reactive aldehyde and is one of the many reactive electrophile species that cause toxic stress in cells and form advanced glycation endproducts. The production of this aldehyde is used as a biomarker to measure the level of oxidative stress in an organism.
reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malondialdehyde

TBARS
Thiobarbiturate reactive substances (TBARS) are the low-molecular-weight end products, whose main component is malondialdehyde, that are formed during the decomposition of lipid peroxidation products. These compounds react with thiobarbituric acid to form a fluorescent red adduct which can be measured spectrometically. The plasma or urine concentration of the thiobarbiturate reactive substances (TBARS) is used as an index of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress.
reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TBARS

Taux carbonyls
Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) are formed during normal metabolism and in higher fluxes under pathological conditions. They cause cellular damage, an important part of which is the oxidation of amino acid residues on proteins, forming protein carbonyls. Protein carbonyl content (PCC) is the most widely used marker of oxidative modification of proteins. Using PCC as a marker, it could be demonstrated that oxidative damage to proteins correlates well with aging and the severity of some diseases. A critical evaluation of PCC and other markers of protein oxidation is presented, together with examples of protein oxidation in diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging.
reference: http://www.freeradicalscience.com/showabstract.php?pmid=11191280

"Human studies related to protein oxidation: protein carbonyl content as a marker of damage"
M (Mordechai) Chevion, E Berenshtein, ER Stadtman Free Radic Res (2000) 33: S99-108.