Aston Martin Vantage GT heads to Pikes Peak

A British firm, Venture Engineering, has announced the first entry of an Aston Martin race car for the famed Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado, in the US, that will take place on 25 June this year. As a partner team of Aston Martin Racing, the engineering fi rm has experience in many other racing categories while its 2023 Pikes Peak entry sees Robin Shute at the wheel, the first Briton to win the International Hill Climb and a three-time overall winner.

“We’re excited to push the limits of the incredibly successful Vantage GT3 in a new racing discipline,” said Andy Williamson, commercial director at Venture Engineering. “We also look forward to working with our technical partners over the coming months and years to develop this project into a winning entry.”

The contender will be based on the Vantage GT3 race car and powered by the same 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine which has been optimised by Aston Martin Racing in conjunction with Venture specifically for the challenge of Pikes Peak. Additional technical developments will include engine mapping, damper work, an upgraded aero bodykit and reduced weight package from existing and development parts, as well as bespoke gearing.

Huw Tasker, head of Aston Martin Partner Racing said, “This is an exciting, adventurous and challenging project that Venture is undertaking and we are looking forward to seeing how it progresses, and to assisting them in achieving their ambitions. It will be great to see Venture take on Pikes Peak in an Aston Martin.”