Aston Martin Racing and Fernandez choose Michelin

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Aston Martin Racing knows the difference, as does Adrian Fernandez.  So, when Fernandez, the 2009 Twelve Hours of Sebring LMP2 class winner and American Le Mans Series Champion, decided to team with Aston Martin Racing, one decision was easy.  “We both wanted to choose Michelin,” said Fernandez.  Both Aston Martin Racing and Fernandez have separately enjoyed considerable success with Michelin.

Since entering the ALMS Series in 2007, all eight of Fernandez’s ALMS wins and his 2009 championship have come with Michelin. “Michelin was a key part of our success,” said Fernandez. “We were frequently able to double-stint our MICHELIN® tires because they were so consistent that we could run the same lap times for two full stints.”

Aston Martin Racing last claimed victory at Sebring in 2005 with the GT1 classed DBR9, the car went on to win several ALMS races in both the 2005 and 2006 seasons. To accompany its winning run, the GT1 then claimed a class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2007 and 2008 before the team moved into the Le Mans Prototype (LMP1) category for 2009, where Aston Martin Racing finished the European-based Le Mans series as champions.

“Michelin is very pleased to continue our long technical partnership with Aston Martin Racing and our championship winning relationship with Adrian Fernandez,” said Silvia Mammone, Michelin Motorsports manager.

“Aston Martin Racing is one of the world’s most prestigious brands and Adrian is a great ambassador for Michelin. ALMS fans will love seeing the beautiful Aston Martin Racing prototypes and Adrian’s fans will look forward to his continued success,” said Mammone.

Preliminary plans call for Fernandez and the Aston Martin Racing prototype to compete in the ALMS events at Sebring and Long Beach before heading to Europe for the 2010 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin (www.michelin.com) designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs approximately 21,500 and operates 18 major manufacturing plants in 16 locations.

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