OREANDA-NEWS. World-class sportscar driver Darren Turner (GB) has signed a three-year contract extension with Aston Martin Racing, further cementing the brand’s loyalty to the racing ace who has been with the team since its formation in 2004.

Turner, who lives just a stone’s throw from Aston Martin Racing’s headquarters in Banbury, has celebrated many successes behind the wheel of an Aston Martin racing car, including two class wins in the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans. He has also raced in every class that the team has developed cars for; GT4, GT3, GTE, GT1 and LMP1.

“Within my time at Aston Martin Racing we have had so many highs,” he explained. “Like with any team, we have had our low points too but we always come out fighting - right now we are in a very strong place.

“We have an exciting few years ahead of us in GT racing. The discipline is going from strength-to-strength and I’m looking forward to working with the team to develop its new cars.”

Team Principal John Gaw was also pleased to confirm that Turner will continue with the team for the foreseeable future.

“We’ve signed a three-year deal but we certainly see Darren’s future with Aston Martin Racing as ongoing,” Gaw commented. “He has been with us since the company was founded and is therefore not only a very strong and reliable driver but also has an understanding of the team and insight into the cars better than anyone else ever could. His professional, mature and positive attitude is invaluable within our team as we look to bring in and develop young talent.”

In addition to his contract with Aston Martin Racing, Turner has also signed a deal with Aston Martin to become a development driver and brand ambassador to the road car business, a step that further allows the racer’s development knowledge and expertise to benefit the marque’s future sportscar development.

“Although I’ve always had a strong relationship with the road car arm of the business and have been involved in many projects, this is the first time that we have come to a formal agreement and signed a contract,” Turner explained. “This will see me get more involved with road car projects and will draw an even closer link between these and our race car programmes.”

Turner was most recently involved in the design and development of Aston Martin Vulcan, the manufacturer’s first track-only hypercar and he has used his extensive racing experience to help build a car that has the extreme sports handling and performance of a track car with the luxury and comfort that customers expect from as Aston Martin.

“At Aston Martin, we have always considered Darren to be the face of the motorsport arm,” said Aston Martin’s Head of Motorsport David King. “Recently, he has been more involved in the road car side of the business and this is something that we wish to develop further. We have many exciting years ahead at Aston Martin and we were keen to cement our relationship with Darren ahead of this.”

In 2015, Aston Martin Racing’s works team is contesting the the FIA World Endurance Championship with five Vantage GTEs and, in May, it entered two Vantage GT3s into the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Turner and his team-mates will next race for Aston Martin Racing on 30th August in the FIA WEC 6hrs of Nürburgring.