Monday, 17 October 2011

Lexus LFA and Aston Martin V12 Zagato race at Nürburgring

"Other company bosses meet on the golf course, we race together.”

Frankfurt / Nurburgring, 15 October 2011. The ninth round of the 2011 VLN series has seen a special and unique relationship continuing to form at the Nürburgring. At the 35th DMV 250 mile race, Dr. Ulrich Bez, Chief Executive of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd., and Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, drove each other’s cars. Both race teams, Aston Martin and Gazoo Racing, just as they have done in the 24 hour races, shared a pit garage once again and used this opportunity to swap cars. Dr. Bez started the race with Chris Porrit, Chief Engineer in the V12 Zagato, nicknamed Zig, while co-driver, Akira Iida joined Akio Toyoda in the Lexus LF-A.

“As I learnt that our teams would share a garage once again I renewed my invitation to Akio Toyoda to drive an Aston Martin race car and I was delighted to accept his offer in return”, said Dr. Bez. “We have raced side by side regularly since the 2008 24 hour race here at the Nurburgring. Since then a personal friendship has developed into this decision to experience each other’s race cars. Other company bosses meet on the golf course, we race together”, commented Dr. Bez, who since 2006 has regularly competed in races on the Nordschleife. 

Aston Martin V12 Zagato Zig (#114) and the Lexus LF-A (#111) both competed in the SP8 class. For the Aston Martin, however, this race was to become highly dramatic. Unfortunately Zig was hit by another car out on the track and damaged so badly that it had to return to the pit garage for a longer period of time and a dropout of the race was imminent. Working feverishly the engineers were able to make a repair so that the car could return to the track. Both the Aston Martin V12 Zagato and the Lexus LF-A crossed the finish line in tandem, with Ulrich Bez driving the Lexus and Akio Toyoda driving the Aston Martin. 

Aston Martin Head of Motorsport, David King said: “This race weekend was a very special one for us. Not only did we have another opportunity to race our own cars but there was also a whole series of highlights to enjoy. It was an honour to welcome Toyota President, Akio Toyoda, as a guest in our V12 Zagato, and conversely to experience the Lexus LF-A.”