For immediate release: July 04, 2019
- Cavalcade of Aston Martin’s most notable models gather around Central Feature to mark 70 years of the brand
- 2019 Goodwood Central Feature dedicated to Aston Martin’s racing heritage with sculpture featuring Le Mans winning Aston Martin DBR
- Aston Martin celebrates historic 60th anniversary of 1-2 win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with limited run of 60 ‘Vantage Heritage Racing Editions’ available in six iconic liveries
- Each of the six Vantages will be displayed under the Central Feature at Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard of Speed for every day of the festival
- The year’s Festival of Speed has a theme of ‘Speed Kings, Motorsport Record Breakers’ and runs from 4-7 July 2019
Aston Martin opened its weekend as Central Feature star at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard with a cavalcade beneath the event’s 31-metre commemorative sculpture.
Cars from throughout the Aston Martin’s long history in motor sport joined many of the marque’s most evocative road cars to take the salute in front of Goodwood House, accompanied by a spectacular firework display. A Central Feature ‘moment’ will now take place daily at the Festival of Speed, which runs until Sunday (7th July).
Designed by renowned artist Gerry Judah, the sculpture pays tribute to Aston Martin’s 70-year racing legacy at Goodwood. The giant converging steel arcs are crowned by an Aston Martin DBR1, the car in which Sir Stirling Moss won the 1959 RAC Tourist Trophy at Goodwood, thereby sealing the World Sportscar Championship.
Among the Aston Martin models presented in the ceremony were six unique ‘Vantage Heritage Racing Editions’, designed by ‘Q by Aston Martin’, the brand’s luxury personalisation service. Each Vantage honours a famous race car from Aston Martin’s illustrious history, with only 60 models available for customers to buy, choosing from one of six liveries.
The inspiration for Aston Martin’s bespoke liveries range across years motor racing experience. The earliest models include Razor Blade which set two class records in the 1500CC light car class at Brooklands in 1923, inspiring ‘The Razor Blade’ Vantage model, and the Ulster, Aston Martin’s most iconic pre-war racing car immortalised in the form of ‘The Italian Progettista’. Both the original Razor Blade and Ulster model joined their ‘Vantage’ editions to mark the occasion outside Goodwood House.
Other models in the exclusive range include the DB3S inspired ‘The David Brown Era’ Vantage, and ‘The Group C Monster’ which gives a nod to AMR1 developed in 1989 to participate in the Group C racing series with its distinctive white, blue and red livery.
The range is topped by two models which reflect Aston Martin’s enduring legacy in racing, with ‘The Le Mans Winner’ Vantage taking inspiration from the DBR9 which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2007 and 2008, and ‘The Next Generation’ Vantage which honours the modern Vantage GTE, Aston Martin’s current offering to motorsport.
Aston Martin’s racing prowess was also on show in the form of the DBR1 which is celebrating 60 years since it competed in Le Mans in 2019, and the DBR4, Aston Martin’s original Grand Prix car. Fans looking for more recent models would have been pleased to see the Vantage GTE model which competed at Le Mans just last month on show.
Models from Aston Martin’s upcoming range were also paraded including the DBX, the company’s first SUV which will be sitting in the ‘First Glance’ Paddock at Goodwood Festival of Speed and will take on the infamous Hillclimb with chief engineer Matt Becker behind the wheel.
Spectators were also treated to a glimpse of the Aston Martin Vantage AMR sports car set to make its dynamic debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO, said: “It is a great honour to be celebrated at Goodwood Festival of Speed this year. Racing is a crucial component in Aston Martin’s DNA and it is something that we have pursued since the inception of the company more than 100 years ago. We have raced all around the world but the core passion and commitment that we’ve displayed has remained the same since our first race on Aston Hill.”
Aston Martin’s six unique Vantages will be displayed under the Central Feature throughout the Festival for revelers to take a closer look at the brand’s racing heritage while getting to understand Aston Martin’s vision for the future.
Hospitality packages are available throughout the weekend. To buy tickets or enquire about hospitality visit www.goodwood.com or call the Goodwood Ticket Office on 01243 755 055.
(ENDS)
EDITORS’ NOTES:
Staged every summer since 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by MasterCard is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motor sport take part with some of the most legendary figures from the sport as well as international celebrities regularly attending. Highlights will include the Moving Motor Show, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 paddock, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance, Aviation Exhibition and Bonhams Auction.
For all Media enquiries, please contact Nick Garton at the Goodwood Motor Sport Press Office:
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 755000
E-mail: nick.garton@goodwood.com
About Mastercard
Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MastercardUKBiz, join the discussion on the Cashless Pioneers Blog andsubscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.
Or Emma Fahy at the Mastercard Press Office:
Email: emma.fahy@mastercard.com
Telephone: +44 (0)7580 790 297
Goodwood Motor Sport on social media:
YouTube: http://youtube.com/goodwoodtv
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/goodwoodrrc
Twitter: http://twitter.com/goodwoodrrc
