LeMans1989

A brand new team which made its debut at Dijon, Aston Martin is essentially made up of personnel from the Ecurie
Ecosse C2 team, which last raced in 1987. The project has been put together by Richard Williams, who ran the
Nimrod-Aston team which came to a disatrous end in the horrific two-car crash at Le Mans in 1984. Financial support
comes from Livanos, with the full backing of Aston. Ecurie Ecosse also has a take in Proteus Technology, which is
running the Aston, and its stickers appear on the car. The composite AMR-1 has been designed by Max Boxstrom, and
features a revolutionary aerodynamic set-up, with a 'coke bottle' effect at the front. The Callaway-built V8s have
certainly got grunt, but the chassis still has a long way to go, as the team admits. Le Mans is a priority, but this year
at least a finish of some sort is the main aim for the quality driver squad, on the 30th anniversary of the famous 1959
win.

#18 - Dijon race chassis, qualified circumspectly and contnually improved. Drivers happy with straightline stability,
less so with cornering. Started 32nd, and run at conservative speed. Delayed by broken exhuast and suspension
damage caused by early morning puncture, but kept going to record useful 11th place.

#19 - Brand new chassis, missed first part of qualifying while completed. Qualified 40th, unable to match sister-car.
Early stop with dashboard fire due to 'finger trouble', thereafter run without rev counter. David Sears proved fastest
of Aston Martin squad, but lost time in Ford Chicane gravel when avoiding spun car. Engine went around 02:15,
stranding David Sears on circuit when the car was at 18th place.