Aston Martin expects big take-up in track day models

Aston Martin boss Tobias Moers has predicted that hard-core track day cars such as the upcoming 2021 Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro could account for more than 10 per cent of the British car-maker’s total sales in future.

The growing market for track-only models stems from strong demand from wealthy customers and will enable Aston Martin to continue developing vehicles with internal combustion engines, despite the fact that its next-generation road-based sports cars will inevitably take on full-electric powertrains.

“I see a momentum to track toys for track days,” Moers said.

When asked what percentage of sales they could command, the Aston chief volunteered a figure of anywhere from eight per cent to even 12 per cent, before adding: “I don’t know, I’ve destroyed my crystal ball but I think there is still demand.”

With a lack of restrictions (other than noise) compared to models homologated for use on public roads, track-only models will enable Aston to continue delivering V8 and V12-powered sports cars along the lines of the Valkyrie AMR and the previous Aston Martin Vulcan AMR.

Tantalisingly, Moers also said he envisaged further supercar and hypercar track tools with electrified combustion powertrains that would boost power.

The upcoming Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro, meanwhile, is primed to be the fastest-ever track toy to be unleashed on a circuit.

Following the decision to pull the plug on its entry to the Le Mans hypercar class, wealthy customers are set to directly benefit from all the chassis and aerodynamic work carried out by Red Bull F1 legend Adrian Newey.

To get anywhere near the 1000 cars a year Moers hopes to sell, it’s anticipated that cheaper track-focused versions of the entry Aston Martin V8 Vantage will also be offered.