The third VLN event of 2010 was an important event for Aston Martin Motorsport, as it was the first time their modified V12 Vantage would hit the track, complete with a comprehensive aerodynamic package. The team had developed a front splitter, dive planes, and a heavily modified front wing to channel air out from the engine bay. In addition a sizeable rear wing would balance the downforce created at the front. In addition to the Vantage, Aston Martin's new creation, the Rapide, would also be introduced to the racing world, in the hands of Dr Ulrich Bez and Wolfgang Schuhbauer..
The car had a shakedown at Silverstone in the hands of Chris Porritt, before being shipped over to the Nurburgring for the Friday test session. The complete Nurburgring 24 hours driver squad of Chris Porritt, Richard Meaden, Oliver Mathai and of course Pete, were available to test the car around the infamous Nordschleife track. After a few runs, it was clear the car had enormous potential, but would require some suspension modifications in order to help drive-ability, particularly at the rear. In addition, with the long 3km Nordschleife straight, much of the benefit of the aerodynamic downforce was lost in drag, slowing the top speed of the car by as much as 25km/h.
Nevertheless the drivers revelled in the additional corner speeds and things looked promising for the weekend ahead. Qualifying dawned dry with all four drivers out searching for a clear lap amongst the 198 starters. It was Richard Meaden who found the sweet sport, turning in a lap of 9:06.814, good enough for 47th overall and 3rd in the SP8 class behind the Corvette C6 and the Gazoo Lexus LFA. Pete's lap was a respectable 9:14.003, despite encountering traffic at the critical Dottinger Hohe corner..
With the race only a few hours away, driver order was established, with Chris taking the start, Pete second, Richard third and Oliver to take the finish. As the lights turned green, Chris guided the car safely through the melee, despite a few crowded moments, and was motoring at a good pace (9:06.205) when on his fourth lap, he reported a gear shift problem over the radio. The team scrambled to fix the problem and after ten minutes, the car returned to the track. Pete jumped in a lap later, only to encounter the same gear problem on his out lap. Fortunately Pete was able to return to the pit in fifth gear, and the team then embarked upon a deeper investigation of the problem. It turned out a nylon gear linkage joint had succumbed to the heat from the exhaust, a result of the re-routed airflow under the car. This was replaced and the car rejoined, albeit after eighty minutes. Pete completed a further two busy laps before handing over to Richard.
However, at this time, a terrible and unfortunate incident occurred on the approach to Bergwerk corner, causing the red flag to be shown and the race stopped. One of the Aston Martin N24 privateer drivers, the experienced and popular Leo Loewenstein, had crashed after an altercation with two other cars. The car overturned and struck the barrier heavily, causing massive damage to the rear of the car. In the ensuing fire, Leo sadly suffered smoke inhalation and died as a result. The whole team was extremely shocked and upset that such a thing should have happened, and a dark cloud hung over the rest of the event, little interest being paid to eventual winners Mamerow Racing in their Porsche 997 GT3 R.
"Leo was someone I met through my involvement with Aston Martin," Pete commented. "He was a very straightforward, friendly person, always ready to talk, and it is deeply saddening that this could happen to such a man. My sympathies go out to his family. They can at least take some comfort from the fact that Leo was doing the sport he loved when he died."
Aston Martin have cancelled the exclusive track day on 10th May as a market of respect to Leo. The Aston Martin Motorsport team will next compete in the ADAC Nurburgring 24 hours on 15-16th May.
