
Aston Martin Valkyrie LM - the ultimate track day car?
Ten wealthy individuals will soon uplift the keys to the world's ultimate track day car.
Aston Martin has launched the Valkyrie LM as a V12-engined, Le Mans-spec gentleman's racer.
Unlike the Valkyrie AMR Pro, a track-only Valkyrie, the Valkyrie LM is based on Aston's LMH hypercar that will soon race at the 24 hours of Le Mans.
It therefore comes with a 523kW 6.5-litre Cosworth V12 that drives the rear wheels through a seven-speed semi-automatic sequential gearbox. The engine redline is 8400rpm while top speed is 336km/h. Slowing the racer are six-pot calipers clamping on carbon discs all round. Suspension is by double wishbones each end with pushrod-activated torsion bar springs. Damping is adjustable front and rear.
Aston Martin has made a number of modifications so the Valkyrie LM is fit for track day use. First off, the V12 will run on fuel from a public pump.
The firm has also removed the ballast and FIA-regulation electronic systems, along with the racer's torque sensors. It weighs in at 1030kg dry. There's an immense amount of aero.
Otherwise, this is a Le Mans car that can be run around any track. It retains a carbon fibre race seat with six-point harness, a fire suppression system and track tyres by Pirelli.
An Aston Martin spokesperson commented: 'It is important to emphasise that the Valkyrie LM is close to identical to the race car that is currently competing in WEC and IMSA.
'Only a few minor deviations were needed to ensure it is a non-homologated variant and is accessible for customers to experience and enjoy.'
Aston Martin will store and transport the cars as part of a support programme for owners. The concept aims to offer the 'ultimate top-flight motorsport experience'.
Included is a team of engineers to help with car set-up, and to maintain it during the track days.
AM will also provide professional driver coaches and simulator sessions. This ensures that customers can 'explore the limits of a machine designed to operate in excess of 320km/h on the fast, flat-out kinks of the most famous race track in the world'.
Owners will be able to drive their cars for the first time at an 'exclusive handover event' in the second quarter of 2026. They will then be invited to track days at F1-standard circuits later in the year.
Oddly, cost isn't mentioned.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

RNZ News
13-06-2025
- RNZ News
Earl Bamber to start from two on 24 Hours of Le Mans grid
The Cadillac Hertz of Earl Bamber, Sebastien Bourdais and Jenson Button, in action during qualifying for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. June 11, 2025. Photo: AFP New Zealander Earl Bamber will start from two on the grid for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, with Cadillac locking out the front row in qualifying. Britain's Alex Lynn secured pole position, setting a best time of three minutes 23.166 seconds in the number 12 Team Jota Cadillac at the Sarthe circuit Bamber putting the sister 38 car alongside and 0.167 slower. Bamber has won the race twice, in 2015 and 2017 with Porsche. Fellow Kiwi Brendon Hartley, who has won the event three times, will start from 10 on the grid after team-mate Sebastien Buemi locked up the Toyota Gazoo car and drove into the gravel and was not able to finish the qualifier Lynn shares his car with compatriot Will Stevens and Frenchman Norman Nato while Bamber's teammates are 2009 Formula One world champion Jenson Button and French four-times Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais. "I can't tell you how much I wanted this," said Lynn, who missed out on pole last year by a mere 0.138, over the team radio. "One tenth last year hurt a lot. "I'm truly honoured to be able to put in a performance like that in front of everyone and deliver for Cadillac in the way they deserve," he added after getting out of the car. "This is a magical circuit and this is a special feeling. I can't describe it. We will enjoy this tonight, have a good sleep and re-set." GM-owned Cadillac are the first American marque to take outright pole at Le Mans since Ford in 1967. The number five Porsche Penske was third fastest, after threatening to take pole, with France's Julien Andlauer, Denmark's Michael Christensen and France's Mathieu Jaminet. The number 15 BMW qualified in fourth place with Belgian Dries Vanthoor, Swiss-Italian Raffaele Marciello and Danish former F1 driver Kevin Magnussen. Defending champions Ferrari, outright winners for the past two years, had Italian Antonio Fuoco, Denmark's Nicklas Nielsen and Spaniard Miguel Molina in seventh place in last year's winning car number 50. The 93rd edition of the race starts on Sunday at 2am NZT. - Reuters/RNZ Sport


NZ Autocar
12-06-2025
- NZ Autocar
Celebrate 24 Hours of Le Mans with Porsche New Zealand
Porsche New Zealand, in collaboration with The Wrap Shop, invites motorsport enthusiasts to join a special celebration of the 24 Hours of Le Mans this Sunday at Issy's Cafe in Milford. Event Details: • When: Sunday, June 15, 2025 • Where: Issy's Cafe, 110 Kitchener Rd, Milford • What's On: o Complimentary coffees (while supplies last) o Live streaming of the 24 Hours of Le Mans o Exclusive display: Le Mans-inspired Porsche Taycan, featuring a custom livery by The Wrap Shop with vinyl supplied by Arlon Graphics. Experience the thrill of endurance racing as we celebrate Porsche's motorsport heritage. The all-electric Taycan, on display, embodies Porsche's racing DNA, boasting 800V architecture derived directly from the Le Mans-winning 919 Hybrid. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, held in France, runs from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon local time. Kiwis can catch the heart of the action from 3am Sunday to 3am Monday. Attendees at Issy's Cafe will be able to witness the pivotal middle hours of the race. Porsche holds an enviable record at Le Mans, with 19 overall victories since 1951. Iconic models like the 917, 956, and 919 Hybrid have defined endurance racing. Innovations from the track turn up on Porsche's road cars. In 2025, Porsche is targeting its 20th overall win, with the Porsche Penske Motorsport team fielding three Porsche 963 hybrid prototypes and a fourth entered by Proton Competition. Manthey Racing will also represent Porsche in the LMGT3 class with three 911GT3 R entrants. Special Announcement: Porsche has unveiled the new 963 RSP, a road-going version of its Hypercar, as the team prepares for this weekend's race. Kiwi Connection: New Zealanders Brendon Hartley and Earl Bamber, both former Porsche factory drivers and Le Mans winners in the 919 Hybrid, are competing this year for non-Porsche teams, continuing the proud Kiwi tradition at Le Mans.


NZ Autocar
11-06-2025
- NZ Autocar
Porsche 963 RSP is a one-off racer for the road
This road-legal racer was inspired by a similar version of the Le Mans-winning Porsche 917 built 50 years ago. Porsche has created a road-legal version of its 963 hypercar. That's the machine vying to win this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. Only one Porsche 963 RSP has been produced. It is inspired by a similar one-off, road-legal version of the two-time Le Mans-winning Porsche 917 race car. The German company made that one 50 years ago. Porsche ensured the historic car was road legal by adding a set of exhaust silencers, extra mirrors, side indicators and a horn. However, the modifications are slightly more significant for the 963. The lightweight CF bodywork was painted in the same Martini Silver hue as the Porsche 917 race car. On the nose is an enamel Porsche badge, rather than a sticker. New vents adorn the front wings and a unique 3D printed badge they applied to the rear light bar. Forged OZ racing wheels are wrapped in 18-inch Michelin tyres with a seventies-era logo added. Inside is a bespoke, hand-made interior featuring tan leather and Alcantara upholstery. Carbon seats are air-conditioned, like the 963 race car's. Under the hood? The Porsche 963 RSP features a race-tuned 500kW hybrid powertrain. At its heart is a 4.6-litre V8 engine from the Porsche 918 Spyder supercar, boosted by two turbochargers. It can spin to over 8000rpm. The motor was remapped to make power delivery smoother and to permit the use of regular petrol. The solitary 963 RSP was commissioned by Roger Penske, whose initials 'RSP' give the car its name. The Porsche Penske Motorsport team won both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and World Endurance Championship with the 963 last year. It is bringing three cars along to compete in Le Mans. The Porsche 963 RSP will make its public debut at the Circuit de la Sarthe during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, before returning to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. In July, the car will participate in the Goodwood Festival of Speed, along with the 917.