British team enters Pikes Peak with Aston Martin Vantage GT3

British firm Venture Engineering have announced the first entry of an Aston Martin race car for the famed Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. A partner team of Aston Martin Racing, the British engineering firm has experience of many racing categories including running cars at the famed Colorado race to the clouds, and their 2023 entry sees Robin Shute at the wheel - the first Briton to win the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and a three-time overall winner.

The contender will be based on the highly-successful Vantage GT3 race car, which itself is based on the critically-acclaimed Vantage road car. Powered by the same 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine, 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 and reduced weight package from existing and development parts, as well as bespoke gearing.

With the 2023 entry in the Time Attack 1 class, and plans to develop the car further into 2024 for a second run in the Unlimited class, the team are nothing but confident in their ability to build a winner.

Famed for its altitude and unforgiving weather conditions, the Pikes Peak course is a true test of both car and driver, with the self-sanctioned event taking place since 1916 - a mere three years after the birth of the Aston Martin brand. The twisting and turning 12.42-mile mountain track consists of over 156 turns and will offer a unique test of the luxury marque’s racing pedigree, which was born out of founder Lionel Martin’s attempt at the eponymous Aston Clinton Hill Climb in 1913.

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

Huw Tasker, Head of Aston Martin Partner Racing says: "This is an exciting, adventurous and challenging project that Venture are 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.”

Robin Shute, Pikes Peak champion says: “It’s an honour to be racing this year with Venture Engineering - it's very special for me to race a car with such storied racing roots back home in the UK. I can't wait to make this Vantage GT3 roar up the mountain!”

This year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb takes place on Sunday, 25 June 2023 in Colorado, USA. Additional updates on the latest team partners, technical developments and more will be distributed over the coming weeks.