Ten Drivers and Eight Cars from TRG-AMR to Take Part in Historic Festival Race Prior to Start of Famous 24 Hour Endurance Classic
Le Mans, France (June 15th, 2015) … In what can only be described as an epic display of racing heritage, more than 35 contemporary Aston Martin Racing cars took to the famous Circuit de la Sarthe for the 2015 Le Mans Festival, celebrating the storied marque of Aston Martin. TRG-Aston Martin Racing, the North American representative of the prestigious racing outfit, brought with it almost a quarter of the field with eight total cars comprised of six V8 Vantage GT4s and two V12 Vantage GT3s. In qualifying on Thursday afternoon the team was able to bring home a number of strong qualifying positions: Buckler in GT3 P2, Nielsen in GT3 P3, and Alex Welch in GT4 P3.
Driving these machines are pro and amateur alike, all sharing the same passion for speed, history, and of course, Aston Martin. Driving at Le Mans is described as an incredible “Bucket List” item, one of a few select “once-in-a-lifetime” experiences that TRG-AMR helps bring to reality.
“Seven years ago I had no idea this was something even remotely possible.” Said TRG-AMR Partner and Driver Robert Nimkoff. Nimkoff, sharing one of the V12 Vantage GT3 machines with Team Owner Kevin Buckler, also participated in the 2014 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona with the team, helping drive the No. 009 V12-powered machine during that equally historic twice-round-the-clock endurance event. “This is something that certain people would put at the top of their list, something so unattainable it’s almost impossible. Climbing Everest felt more feasible than this seven years ago. Who would’ve thought I’d be driving a V12 powered Aston Martin down the Mulsanne Straight?”
Also driving this weekend are some recognizable names from the professional sports car world: Christina Nielsen, Ben Keating, Derek DeBoer, and Alex Welch, to name a few. All of these competitors drive in the Pirelli World Challenge Series, with Nielsen also competing with TRG-AMR in the IMSA TUDOR United Sportscar Championship driving the No. 007 Royal Purple/ORION/LaSalle/PassTime USA V12 Vantage GT3. Other noteable drivers this year are Jeff Huber, Greg Milzcik, Bob Bramlage, and Fred Schulte – all drivers with respectable experience and friends of the team.
Rounding out the team line-up will be TRG-AMR CEO and former Le Mans GT Champion (2002), Kevin Buckler. Buckler and Nimkoff will be driving the No. 81 LaSalle Solutions V12 Vantage GT3 and should make a competitive team in this car and class, both having driven The Festival previously in 2012. Nimkoff has strong GT and international competition having recently competed in the Dubai 24 and winning the grueling 13 hour endurance race at Virginia International Raceway. The No. 81 is rather significant in the team’s history, as it has adorned the number plates of all three TRG entries at Le Mans (2002, 2003, 2004), with the number panels from each of these cars proudly on display at the Sonoma County headquarters.
TRG-AMR CEO Kevin Buckler:
“It is so great to be sharing this experience with so many great people. Aston Martin has done a fantastic job on putting together this year’s festival and we jumped at the chance when asked to participate. Whether you’re here with the team driving, exploring the food and culture or just spending time enjoying our VIP Hospitality setup and Chateau, this is a magical event all around. The history, the energy, the people – everything is so different and almost magical. Many of us brought our families and they are off on some incredible day trips each day around the small French villages and coming back with their own stories to tell. It’s incredible and unlike anything ever experienced in the world of motorsport. I am really looking forward to the race on Saturday and sharing this experience with all these wonderful people who have become our friends. Also, another big thanks to LaSalle Solutions for their continued support!”