Country of origin: Great Britain

Aston Martin, one of Britain's most prestigious sports car companies, will return to international motor sport during 2005 with the DBR9.

A new division called Aston Martin Racing has been created in a partnership with Prodrive, one of the world's leading motor sport and automotive technology specialists. Prodrive will be responsible for Aston Martin Racing's global operations and will play a pivotal role in the plans to see a competitive Aston Martin program return to the world sports car series.

The program will see Aston Martin DBR9s racing production-based GT sports car events around the world, including the Le Mans 24 Hours, which Aston Martin won in 1959.