The DBRS9 features several modifications to the standard DB9. With developments including a full race specification roll-cage and a tuned version of the 5.9-litre V12 engine to bring output up to and. Other modifications include carbon fiber body panels, polycarbonate side and rear windows and a stripped out interior in order to drop weight by. These enhancements bring the DBRS9's power output up to 430 bhp/tonne. The DBRS9 has a 0 to time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of. The car also features uprated suspension with a lowered ride height and stiffened racing springs. The DBRS9 has also been fitted with a close-ratio racing gearbox in either 6-speed fully manual or an upgraded sequential manual form. The DBRS9 is open to customers through Aston Martin Racing and Prodrive at a price of approximately £175,000 without optional extras and taxes. The car is a bridge between the highly expensive, fully race specification GT1 Aston Martin DBR9 and the standard DB9 road car.
Racing history
While the DBR9 was designed to be used by large teams participating in international motorsport, specifically in the FIA GT Championship and GT1 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the DBRS9 was intended to be raced by teams in lower level GT racing, mainly the FIA GT3 class and some national and international GT series such as the British GT Championship.
After Aston Martin Racing and Prodrive unveiled the DBRS9 in late 2005, Barwell Motorsport and BMS Scuderia Italia started to race the car in the 2006 FIA GT3 European Championship, with BMS Scuderia Italia winning a race at Oschersleben. BMS also raced one DBRS9 in the 2006 FIA GT ChampionshipSpa 24 Hours race in the GT3 class, but did not finish. BMS continued to race the DBRS9s in FIA GT Championship in late 2006, winning at Hungaroring and Dubai in the GT3 class. BMS continued with the DBRS9 in the 2007 FIA GT3 Championship, alongside French team Hexis Racing and its associate of Racing for Belgium. BMS finished second in the Team Championship.
Brixia and Hexis Racing
For the 2008 FIA GT3 Championship, Brixia Racing took over BMS Scuderia Italia's operation. Hexis Racing continued in the FIA GT3 class with the DBRS9 and finished second in both Driver's and Team Championship. In the 2009 FIA GT3 Championship, both Brixia Racing and Hexis Racing stayed with the Aston Martin DBRS9, with Hexis racing winning the night race at Adria. In the 2008 ADAC GT Masters series, Hexis Racing finished a full season with DBRS9s and finished 3rd overall in the Team Championship.
In 2007 Racing for Belgium and Phoenix Racing competed with several Aston Martin DBRS9s in the ADAC GT Masters. At the 2007 24 Hours Nürburgring, the DBRS9 of Team Phoenix led the race in the early stages, but the engine failed on Sunday.
ABCOR and VIP Petfoods
In 2007 Australian GT Championship, ABCOR, Preston General Engineering raced an Aston Martin DBRS9 in selected rounds with different drivers. The team continued with DBRS9 in 2008 Australian GT, with additional entry from Team Aston Martin then VIP Petfoods Racing joining in late season with a DBRS9. VIP Petfoods Racing continued with DBRS9 in 2009 Australian GT with team boss Tony Quinn still driving the car in 2011.
Barwell Motorsport
In the 2009 Belgian GT race, Barwell Motorsport competed with their DBRS9 with sponsorship from Aston Martin Brussels. British GT Championship, Barwell Motorsport raced 3 DBRS9 in 2006 . Barwell Motorsport finished second in Team Championship and took the Driver's Championship with Leo Machitski. Barwell Motorsport continued with DBRS9 in the 2007 British GT Championship, with Cadena Motorsport joining later with another DBRS9. Barwell Motorsport took the Team Championship title, with Lord Paul Drayson and Jonathan Cocker finished 2nd in Driver's Championship. In 2008, 22GTRacing and Cadena Motorsport took over with the British GT DBRS9s but did not have a very successfully season. In 2009, Barwell Motorsport joined force with Beechdean Motorsport and got back to British GT with a Barwell-Beechdean Aston Martin DBRS9. 22GT Racing continued competing with their DBRS9.