Why not? If luxury brands are doing yachts, why not a monster truck?
Sunday 1 April, Gaydon: Aston Martin has stunned the motorsport world, after unveiling its latest competition-crushing monster truck program – ‘Project Sparta.’ In what was already set to be a landmark year of motorsport for the luxury British marque, its entry into the monster truck world adds even more excitement for fans worldwide, on top of both Aston Martin’s Formula One and FIA World Endurance Championship campaigns.
Project Sparta, which has been engineered in parallel with the brand’s upcoming DBX SUV, is set to wreak havoc in the Monster Jam series starting in 2019, taking on some of the world’s biggest names including Grave Digger, Big Kahuna, Ice Cream Man and Jailbird.
Named after the Ancient Greek province, famous for its battlefield warriors, this monster will take no prisoners. Developed under the guidance of David King, Vice President Special Operations Officer & President of Aston Martin Racing, Project Sparta will use the same 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12 engine designed for the recently unveiled Valkyrie AMR Pro producing 1,100 horsepower.
The project is yet another example of the marque’s ‘Q by Aston Martin Commission’ capabilities and remains a unique build for one very special customer. Under the customer’s request, three times Le Mans winner and Aston Martin Racing Works driver Darren Turner will compete in all Monster Jam events in 2019.
Turner said with tongue firmly in cheek, “Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans was a real thrill last year, but when I heard about this opportunity, I just couldn’t say no. I hope the guys line up a great selection of cars for me to tear apart, because I’m sure this monster truck will really do the business”.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
April Fools – Aston Martin Project Sparta
Why not? If luxury brands are doing yachts, why not a monster truck?
Sunday 1 April, Gaydon: Aston Martin has stunned the motorsport world, after unveiling its latest competition-crushing monster truck program – ‘Project Sparta.’ In what was already set to be a landmark year of motorsport for the luxury British marque, its entry into the monster truck world adds even more excitement for fans worldwide, on top of both Aston Martin’s Formula One and FIA World Endurance Championship campaigns.
Project Sparta, which has been engineered in parallel with the brand’s upcoming DBX SUV, is set to wreak havoc in the Monster Jam series starting in 2019, taking on some of the world’s biggest names including Grave Digger, Big Kahuna, Ice Cream Man and Jailbird.
Named after the Ancient Greek province, famous for its battlefield warriors, this monster will take no prisoners. Developed under the guidance of David King, Vice President Special Operations Officer & President of Aston Martin Racing, Project Sparta will use the same 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12 engine designed for the recently unveiled Valkyrie AMR Pro producing 1,100 horsepower.
The project is yet another example of the marque’s ‘Q by Aston Martin Commission’ capabilities and remains a unique build for one very special customer. Under the customer’s request, three times Le Mans winner and Aston Martin Racing Works driver Darren Turner will compete in all Monster Jam events in 2019.
Turner said with tongue firmly in cheek, “Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans was a real thrill last year, but when I heard about this opportunity, I just couldn’t say no. I hope the guys line up a great selection of cars for me to tear apart, because I’m sure this monster truck will really do the business”.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.