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Porsche wins the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans

The question going into this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans was whether or not the Porsche 919 Hybrid would be able to combine its qualifying pace with race reliability. After battling neck-and-neck with Audi's R18 for most of the race, the answer is a resounding yes. Not only did Porsche drivers climb the first two spots on the podium, they did so without any major mishaps on track. This win is the first overall trophy for Porsche since 1998. Audi previously won the last five races, and 13 of the last 15. Corvette also returned to the winner's circle, with the No. 64 C7.R taking winning the GTE Pro division. The victory is the first class win for Corvette since 2011. KCMG won the LMP2 class in ninth overall. With 45 minutes to go the No. 98 Aston Martin crashed out of first place in GTE Amateur, giving the class win to SMP Racing's Ferrari and second place to the Patrick Dempsey Racing Porsche 911 RSR. For the full list of official results, click here. The GTE Pro class proved to be just as exciting as the P1 class, with a four-way battle for first after four hours into the race. For most of the race, the battle at the top went back and forth between the two German manufacturers. An tire puncture in the No. 7 Audi gave up the lead to Porsche, and moments later a crash forced the No. 8 into the garage. But a three-minute replacement of the front and rear bodywork kept the Audi in contention. As the race wore into the night, Porsche maintained a slightly faster pace than Audi. Nick Tandy took the lead on Lap 253 early Sunday morning, and car No. 19 never gave up the top position. The win is the first for all three drivers of the No. 19 – Nico Hulkenberg, Earl Bamber, and Nick Tandy. A lap behind in second was the No. 17 Porsche. The Audis fought reliability problems late in the race but still finished third with the No. 7 R18. The GTE Pro class proved to be just as exciting as the P1 class, with a four-way battle for first after four hours into the race. As the Aston Martin cars dropped away, the lone Corvette Racing entry took over, followed by a charging AF Corse team Ferrari 458 Italia. The Corvette and Ferrari continued to trade places in the final hours until gearbox trouble forced the No. 51 Ferrari out of contention. It was eventually passed by the other AF Corse car, No. 71. Nissan experienced all the pain of a first-year effort with its front-wheel-drive GT-R LM Nismo.

Aston Martin brings ice driving program to America [w/video]

With between four and six hundred horsepower channeled to the rear wheels from a V8 or V12 engine mounted up front, an Aston Martin – any Aston Martin, really – might not seem like the smartest choice for driving on ice and snow. But that can also make it the most fun, and the most enlightening to experience. That's the point behind the Aston Martin On Ice program: allowing customers to drive the latest Gaydon has to offer on slippery, wintery surfaces. But whereas the On Ice program has been established for years in St. Moritz, Switzerland and in the Swedish Lapland, this year it arrived in America for the first time. A series of custom tracks – including a braking/cornering loop, slalom, skid pad and a full circuit – were carved into the snow in Crested Butte, CO, where expert driving instructors taught customers a thing or two about how to handle a powerful twelve-cylinder GT car like a DB9, Vanquish or V12 Vantage. The program has concluded for the season, returning next February, but in the meantime Aston will use the Colorado base camp as the center of its driving experience through the Rockies. Check out the video footage and the details in the press release below. ASTON MARTIN... ON ICE - New US ice driving program launches in Crested Butte, Colorado - Affords customers the opportunity to drive full Aston Martin range in extreme winter conditions - Utilises custom-built Aston Martin facility Irvine, CA, 17 March, 2014 – Aston Martin has launched the company's first ice driving program in North America, hosted at Crested Butte, Colorado providing customers with the ultimate driving experience against a stunning mountainous backdrop. Offering customers the opportunity to experience the full potential of the Aston Martin range and hone their driving skills, the new On Ice program took place in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains in a unique setting, with an ice track custom built for the occasion as illustrated in a new film from the event, released today. Comprising a braking/cornering exercise loop, slalom, skid pad and full circuit, the bespoke Aston Martin track was especially constructed for the occasion over the last four months. Under expert tuition, participants were guided through the facility, embarking upon a series of braking, cornering and handling exercises before putting their skills to the test on a mile-long frozen road course.

David Brown Automotive Speedback GT launches in US

Just over a year ago, the Sportback GT debuted from coachbuilder David Brown Automotive to combine the classic lines of the Aston Martin DB5 with modern underpinnings. Now, the luxurious British coupe is making its way across the pond for a US debut later this summer. With a price of $753,000, you're not going to see these coachbuilt creations on every corner. To make sure that the GT catches the eye of the right clientele, the company is premiering it during the swanky event at The Quail during the 2015 Monterey Car Week in August. Despite the retro look on the outside from former Land Rover designer Alan Mobberley, much of the mechanical underpinnings for the Speedback GT are sourced from the Jaguar XKR. Propulsion is provided by a 5.0-liter V8 making 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque and linked to a six-speed automatic. Inside, passengers find quite posh surroundings with leather upholstery with wood trim. DAVID BROWN AUTOMOTIVE LAUNCHES STUNNING SPEEDBACK GT TO EAGERLY ANTICIPATED AMERICAN MARKET 13/05/15 Following huge success in Europe, Speedback GT launches in the USA for GBP495,000 (currently $753,000) Speedback will showcase the best of British craftsmanship to American audience at the exclusive Quail Motorsports Gathering rally and concours event Announcement of North American launch rounds off Speedback's recent 1st anniversary celebrations since its European unveiling Coventry, England (May 2015): Launched in March 2014, Speedback GT from David Brown Automotive heralded a new era for GT models, showcasing a classically styled car with modern mechanicals, reliability and comforts. Designed, engineered and hand-crafted in Britain, Speedback GT is now launching officially in the United States, after triumphing in Europe both via media reaction and sales. Displaying at The Quail, the famed motorsports gathering located at Quail Lodge in California, the event will be the perfect place to demonstrate Speedback GT's merits to the American media and public for the first time. Initially showcasing at the Quail Rally Welcome Reception on 10th August, it will participate in the Rally on 11th and 12th August before the main Quail event on 14th August where it will feature on a stand. Company founder and CEO David Brown said: "It's been a fantastic year for Speedback GT since its launch.