''Since returning to endurance racing in 2005, Aston Martin has always finished on the podium at Le Mans but never quite sealed that elusive victory. Last year was particularly hard to swallow, when the team led for the majority of the race before being forced to settle for second in the last couple of hours.

With the memory of that disappointment long gone, Aston Martin Racing is back with some new faces joining the traditional line-up. The team is now perfectly poised for another shot at victory in the GT1 class, for cars based on road-going models, with an excellent blend of youth and experience.

As usual, Aston Martin Racing will field two examples of the DBR9 – numbered 007 and 009. The 007 car will be driven by Johnny Herbert, Tomas Enge and Peter Kox, while 009 will be crewed by David Brabham, Rickard Rydell and Darren Turner. Herbert and Rydell are the new boys in the team, but both have a huge amount of experience of racing in general and Le Mans in particular.

Herbert is best-known for his Grand Prix career – which included a stint as Michael Schumacher’s team mate – while Rydell forged out his reputation in touring cars, winning the British Touring Car Championship in 1998.

The other drivers already have plenty of previous experience of the DBR9, which they hope to maximise this year. Le Mans is never easy for anyone, but this year’s race will be a particular endurance test for Tomas Enge. The Czech driver has battled to get back to fitness following a brutal accident in St Petersburg, Florida, where he broke his left elbow in an American Le Mans series race at the start of April. His determination to be ready for Le Mans has seen him start his rehabilitation by racing go-karts – a far cry from the 6.0 litre, 600 horsepower DBR9 he will have at his disposal in Le Mans.

The rest of the team, led by George Howard-Chappell, is largely unchanged: a crucial ingredient to success in a race where consistency counts for a lot. Le Mans is a unique event, as it is an endurance test for people as much as for the car on the track. How those people work together and face the challenge will determine whether or not Aston Martin achieves its goal this year. The activity away from the track is as crucial as the 24 hours on it, so keep reading to find out how to try and win the toughest race on the planet.'' Aston Martin Racing

Apparently, the test day went well and so far as I can tell, it will be very close between the Corvettes and the DBR9's. The cars have had some minor but obvious changes for this years event. The bonnets have only 4 vents - but I don't know why. But I do know why the cars have had air-con fitted and the roofs painted white - anything to reduce the temperature in the stiflingly hot cockpit.

Only a few day to go now...........................