VIN: the works Aston Martin AMR1 chassis 04
History of chassis AMR1/04
Chassis 04 was completed mid-way through the 1989 season. By this time, Aston Martin Racing (AMR) had been able to conduct a series of extensive tests with the AMR1 at Brands Hatch, Snetterton and Donington.
After early delays caused by the destruction of the first AMR1 race car (chassis 02) at a test session in February, Aston Martin Racing were finally starting to make some progress. Suspension geometry and travel was improved, a rear anti-roll bar was added and the spring rates were changed. Modifications were also made to the steering and aerodynamics which resulted in a much more driveable car than before.
At 920kg, chassis 04 was 60kg lighter than earlier examples.
On its debut at the Brands Hatch 480km in late July, the car qualified 14th.
David Leslie charged through the field in the opening stages but, at the handover to Brian Redman, 04 lost time stuck in a crowded pits. Nevertheless, it climbed steadily back up the leaderboard to finish fourth and claim the AMR1’s best result yet.
Four weeks later, chassis 04 was on hand for Leslie / Redman to drive at the Nurburgring 480km. The event started with a minor off for Leslie on Friday to avoid a spinning Sauber-Mercedes. A misfire on Saturday then affected the car’s qualifying.
Despite starting down in 21st position, Leslie and Redman ran with the works Jaguars for much of the race and finished a useful eighth overall.
At the Donington 480km in early September, AMR raced two cars for the first time since Le Mans. Chassis 04 was entered for David Leslie / Michael Roe and qualified tenth. Chassis 05 (for Brian Redman / David Sears) was not finished until the morning of pre-qualifying and, after some minor teething troubles, lined up 20th.
In the race, chassis 04 had climbed to seventh by the time of its first stop and ran as high as fifth in the latter stages. Leslie and Roe eventually finished sixth after being passed by Bob Wollek’s Porsche 962. Redman / Sears took seventh in the sister car.
Chassis 04’s final race of 1989 was at the Spa 480km on September 17th.
Wet weather in practice caused the Astons many misfires. AMR spent much time trying to find a good wet weather balance but nearly ran out of fuel and, as a result, had to miss most of the dry qualifying session.
Leslie managed to qualify 04 in 13th, right at the end of the last session. 05 started down in 32nd.
Leslie moved up to tenth in his opening stint and Roe then progressed to eighth. However, the car’s engine blew on lap 44 to mark the AMR1’s first retirement from a World Sportscar Championship event.
The sister car improved from its lowly grid spot to finish seventh.
Chassis 04 was subsequently retired from active duty.
In May 2000 it was purchased by an American collector from the Brooks Aston Martin Works auction.
Notable History
Aston Martin Racing
White, blue and red Mobil 1 livery
23/07/1989 WSC Brands Hatch 480km (D. Leslie / B. Redman) 4th oa, 4th C1 class (#18)
20/08/1989 WSC Nurburgring 480km (D. Leslie / B. Redman) 8th oa, 8th C1 class (#18)
03/09/1989 WSC Donington 480km (D. Leslie / M. Roe) 6th oa, 6th C1 class (#19)
17/09/1989 WSC Spa 480km (D. Leslie / M. Roe) DNF (#19)
Sold to a private collector
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Aston Martin - https://www.astonmartin.com
