Aston Martin’s Valkyrie is set to revolutionize endurance racing as it takes on a dual series campaign in the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Teaming up with The Heart of Racing, Aston Martin will enter at least one Valkyrie in both the Hypercar class and the GTP category, making history as the first LMH regulations-compliant car to compete in both series.
Aston Martin Performance Technologies, with the support of video game tycoon Gabe Newell, is actively developing the track-ready Valkyrie AMR Pro to demonstrate its exceptional potential and performance capabilities.
The Partnership With the Heart of Racing
The partnership between Aston Martin and The Heart of Racing showcases a strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork in the pursuit of racing excellence.
The impact of Heart of Racing’s support on the Valkyrie program is significant, enabling Aston Martin to compete in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This partnership provides a competitive platform for Aston Martin, allowing them to compete at the top tier of sports car racing.
Moreover, it brings financial and technical resources to the Valkyrie program, ensuring its development and success.
Aston Martin and The Heart of Racing aim to dominate in both championships, pushing the boundaries of performance and achieving racing excellence.
Development of the Valkyrie for Competition
Aston Martin Performance Technologies is actively working on the development and optimization of the Valkyrie for competition in the WEC and WeatherTech Championship. The focus is on ensuring the car’s readiness to dominate in the highly competitive racing environment.
The technical modifications for the Valkyrie race car will play a crucial role in its success on the track. The race car will continue to use the Cosworth-built, 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, which will be modified to meet the Hypercar class Balance of Performance requirements. The project’s partners, Cosworth and Multimatic, remain integral to the development process.
Unlike the road-going Valkyrie, the race car will not feature a battery-electric hybrid system. It will be based on the track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro and will run in a non-hybrid capacity. The race car will undergo modifications to meet the aerodynamic and power performance requirements, showcasing the full potential and performance capabilities of the Valkyrie concept.
Aston Martin has high performance expectations for the Valkyrie in both the WEC and IMSA. The aim is to compete alongside the benchmark machinery in the class.
Differences Between Road and Race Car
The race car will undergo modifications to align with the aerodynamic and power performance requirements, highlighting the distinct disparities between the road and race car variants of the Valkyrie.
The road-going Valkyrie features a battery-electric hybrid system, whereas the race car will run in a non-hybrid capacity, without the battery-electric hybrid system.
The race car will be modified to meet the aerodynamic and power performance requirements set for competition, further enhancing its performance on the track.
The aim of these modifications is to showcase the potential and performance capabilities of the Valkyrie concept in a racing environment.
Aston Martin’s History in Endurance Racing
Throughout its rich history, Aston Martin has consistently showcased its endurance racing prowess, establishing a legacy of success at the world championship level.
Aston Martin’s endurance racing highlights include:
- Aston Martin’s Le Mans victory in 1959: In 1959, Aston Martin achieved its greatest triumph in endurance racing by securing a remarkable victory at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. Led by Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori, the Aston Martin DBR1 emerged as the overall winner, solidifying the brand’s reputation in the motorsport realm.
- Consistent success at the world championship level: Aston Martin has consistently proven itself as a formidable force in endurance racing, consistently achieving success at the highest level of competition. The British marque has been involved in top-class prototype racing, such as the AMR-One program in 2011, demonstrating its commitment to pushing boundaries and competing alongside the best machinery in the field.
- Endurance racing legacy: Aston Martin’s enduring legacy in endurance racing is marked by its unwavering determination to deliver exceptional performance and excellence on the racetrack. By participating in endurance racing, Aston Martin showcases its confidence in its capabilities and strives to demonstrate the full potential of its race cars.
- Partnership with The Heart of Racing: Aston Martin’s collaboration with The Heart of Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship serves as further evidence of its commitment to endurance racing. This partnership provides Aston Martin with a competitive platform to excel in these prestigious series, building upon the brand’s enduring legacy in endurance racing.
Aston Martin’s Confidence in the Program
With a firm belief in the program’s potential and performance capabilities, Aston Martin head of Endurance Motorsport Adam Carter expresses confidence in the Valkyrie.
The potential of the Valkyrie program is seen as a fascinating opportunity for Aston Martin to showcase the capabilities of their cutting-edge technology and engineering prowess.
The partnership with The Heart of Racing provides a competitive platform for the Valkyrie to compete at the highest level in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Aston Martin’s history in endurance racing, combined with the expertise of their partners, gives them the confidence that the Valkyrie will be able to compete alongside the benchmark machinery in the class.
The Valkyrie concept, with its direct synergies to its road car counterpart, was always intended to break through boundaries, and Aston Martin is excited to demonstrate its capabilities on the track.
Showcasing the Capabilities of the Valkyrie on the Track
The Valkyrie is set to hit the track and showcase Aston Martin’s cutting-edge engineering and technology. This extraordinary car will demonstrate its performance potential and track dominance through four key aspects:
- Aerodynamic Excellence: Collaborating with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, Aston Martin has designed the Valkyrie with a sleek and aggressive body, providing exceptional downforce and stability. This enables the car to corner at high speeds with precision.
- Powerhouse Performance: Equipped with a Cosworth-built, 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, the Valkyrie delivers impressive power. Its acceleration and top speeds will leave competitors in awe and trailing behind.
- Lightweight Construction: Aston Martin has prioritized agility and nimbleness by incorporating advanced lightweight materials like carbon fiber into the Valkyrie’s construction. This ensures effortless direction changes and exceptional handling capabilities on the track.
- Cutting-Edge Technology: The Valkyrie boasts state-of-the-art technology, including advanced suspension systems and cutting-edge electronic aids. These technological enhancements enhance the car’s performance and allow drivers to fully exploit its potential.
With these incredible features, the Valkyrie is poised to dominate the track, setting new standards for performance. Aston Martin’s reputation as a leader in endurance racing will be solidified, thanks to the Valkyrie’s track prowess.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Valkyrie Cars Will Aston Martin Be Running in the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship?
Aston Martin will run at least one Valkyrie car in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This is the first time a car built to LMH regulations will compete in both series.
Who Is Backing the Heart of Racing Team?
The Heart of Racing team has the support of video game magnate Gabe Newell. This partnership highlights the collaboration between Aston Martin and The Heart of Racing for a dual series campaign in the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Where Is Aston Martin Performance Technologies Based?
Aston Martin Performance Technologies, responsible for developing the Valkyrie, is based in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. It is the manufacturer’s motorsport headquarters and plays a crucial role in preparing the Valkyrie for competition in both the WEC and WeatherTech Championship.
Will the Valkyrie Race Car Have a Battery-Electric Hybrid System Like the Road-Going Version?
The Valkyrie race car will not feature a battery-electric hybrid system like the road-going version. Instead, it will operate without a hybrid setup to meet the race’s aerodynamic and power performance requirements. This will allow the race car to showcase the potential and performance capabilities of the Valkyrie concept.
What Was Aston Martin’s Most Recent Effort in Top-Class Prototype Racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
Aston Martin made its last foray into top-class prototype racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2011 with the AMR-One program. It is worth mentioning that the Valkyrie race car will not feature a battery-electric hybrid system like its road-going counterpart.