24 Hours of Le Mans 2006 - Corvette C6R vs Aston Martin DBR9

During the first hour of the race. Great scrap as Pedro Lamy in the Aston Martin tries to get pass Johnny O'Connell's Corvette.
Part of it wasn't shown on Speed TV's coverage.

[@joshywoshy18]

I love that the Astons are cars "007" and "009". That's awesome 😆

[@samuelblakey5157]

And here we are again. It's 2017, 45 minutes to go at Le Mans, Corvette vs. Aston Martin, half a second apart!

[@SilentReflection86]

Opera: Le Mans. Singing tenor: Aston Martin DB9R. Singing Baritone: Chevrolet Corvette C6R. Overture: The Mulsanne Straight in D Major (ala Presto)

[@joaquingonzalez834]

i can only assume the audi r10 tdi sings bass here

[@tristanmiller5215]

Best demonstration of European Auto vs American Auto. V12 vs v8

[@zacharygoodwin804]

well ford and ferrari battles are pretty good too

[@kierenboimufc5940]

Or 2017 v8 vs v8

[@spaghetti3700]

*British

[@alexbolin852]

When Corvette Racing started about the same time the LS engine was made, and then about 10 years later they have destroyed or almost destroyed the GT1 class completely, that's determination and hard work shown very well

[@dennismichealsm3786]

Smh now aston Martin got them stupid turbos...only the vettes still use N/A v8

[@Gooftroop45]

why the hell does the race director always always go to a random camera right when the action heats up. who the hell really cares about the lmp1 car going unscheduled to the pits. leave the cameras on the gt battle

[@rvfharrier]

0:48 was awesome, the 2 kings of GT1 absolutely neck and neck.

[@juniormichelesperant6372]

Love it 😂

[@osirisvb]

how are they boring? The C5 & C6 have helped establish the corvette name through out the world. Many victories at Lemans and still continue to compete with the best at Lemans. Hardly call such achievements boring.

[@themunster]

No matter how many races I watch I will never see anything this awesome ever again. The worlds best GT cars ever ran by two of the best teams on the best track in the world. 2006 and 2008 were the best Le Mans ever, Corvette and Aston right up each others pipes until the 24th hour. Though I'm glad to see Aston doing well in P1 and I'm sure Corvette will become a powerful team in GT2 I would give anything to see the GT1 DBR9 and C6-R race again.

[@DecadentOpiate]

Why can't we all just appreciate BOTH cars for what they are? These racing versions are giants in their class, and the street versions both excel too. Granted the Corvette comes out on top in terms of pure speed, but it can't afford you the luxuries the Aston Martin can. Give me either and I wouldn't complain.

[@Noobmaster-bj9xl]

That's a good comment mate !!!

[@ssj4david]

Favourite part of the race is where the Corvette flashes its lights at the Ferrari :P (Although the Ferrari is a GT2 car and the Aston&Corvette are GT1's)

[@erwanleon6054]

this was a Panoz, still in GT2 class... which doesn't exist anymore ^^

[@lIllIlllIlIllIlllIlIllIlllIl]

@@erwanleon6054 Group GT2 was renamed to LM GTE in response to GT1 dissolving in 2011. This year will be the final year of its existence.

[@ofnir123]

both the C6R and the DBR9 are extraordinary pieces of machinery, and which car wins on this competition is more of a question of the driver's skill with those two. too bad there wasn't much of a long-time rivalry between those two...

[@Boyracer5500]

those are the two most badass racecars to ever touch pavement

[@osirisvb]

ahh the glory days of the GT1 class.

[@mattyxr2]

Wicked!!! I was there and the support for the Astons was MASSIVE! This video has me hyped up for next year now. Nice 1!!

[@racerdude888]

Great coverage... break away from a side by side battle into a chicane to show someone pitting

[@pauljeitler7678]

The interview at 2:37 being interrupted by the aboslutely monsterous growl of what is most likely the second C6.R rolling through the pits... God I love that sound

[@themunster]

@freedomsoldier187 The Corvette had the better mechanical grip where as the DBR9 has the best straight line speed. The Aston's were actually the faster cars, and the factory team qualified above the P&M Vettes both times they won Le Mans, the Corvette was just the better car over the course of the race. But still lost.

[@StarChaser027]

unfortunately...Corvettes take corners and have the power to back it up!!!!!

[@SimRacer_GT]

I miss the DBR9 wail :/

[@sporkafife]

Seeing the DBR9 race always makes me flutter. I love the fact that Aston Martin are going for an all over win with cars in pretty much every category for '09, loving the new Aston Martin LMP1 car by the way. ASTON MARTIN FOR LE MANS '09!

[@CptBigLips]

wow, great video. both those cars are amazing. but everyone, you gotta give props to what the corvette racing team has done. they have really gotten the job done. dont wanna take anything away from the aston martin, it is a beautiful car. nice video.

[@judahsoremy9857]

This was thee most intense race in GTLM I've ever seen still to date.

[@judahsoremy9857]

This is THEE greatest rivalry in professional motorsports ever -- period!

[@chuchofreeman]

Both are great cars, the Aston is so... English, it's an amazing car, and the sound of the C6.R is just, orgasmic XD, that V8 makes a wonderful noise =)

[@FraAngelico729]

James Bond vs. Indiana Jones.

[@user-sw2er4bv1r]

saw it live, go vette!

[@osirisvb]

wow that was an awesome race. Jimmy O'connell's mental focus is just amazing. Any one who races in tracks knows this; getting pressured by an opponent is no fun at all while trying to maintain your own pace and avoid making errors that will force you off the track or lead the opponent to pass you. The DB9 attempted the drafting technique; but was always shut down at the end. Jimmy if you read this; your the man.

[@Nick1944]

They changed the rules, eliminated our old class (GT1), and made us de-tune the engine, just to make it fair. It took us a couple of years to dial it in and start stomping them, but here we are and they are once again LOOKING AT CORVETTE TAIL LIGHTS. Le Mans 2011!!

[@mrmile1009]

I love this. I really like racing this on the game GRID its pretty legit:)

[@aqinthe]

@MikeNoran Last time I checked Chevy and Pratt & Miller where American companys.

[@BishopCR7]

I got to watch these to at Spa 24 Hours, brilliant :)

[@marktucker208]

I loved GT1, amazing cars. Cant believe how long ago this was, times gone so fast

[@aqinthe]

Just heard Jonny O'Connell is not returning to Corvette. What a shame. An era is over. I never thought he would be forced out.

[@kippfan37]

Great battle. Both cars performing excellent and now wait for driver error.

[@91gt306]

The whole " American cars can't turn corners", just sounds like regurgitated stereotypes. Just can't give credit where its due.

[@LolaJudd]

AMR doesn't have an F1 team, but they are helping the Charouz Racing Systems team with their all-new Lola B08/60 Aston Martin. AMR's 'official' DBR9s are only running in the 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans this year.

[@alancerna4]

this is one of the reasons i see lemans 24 hr besides being the best existing race every year because these two cars always give a great battle

[@mp3_Martin]

Yea... Indeed it does. The growl of a 7 litre GM built V8. i think it's a shame you don't hear that much about the Saleen S7R. It's a beautiful race car, and just as competitive as the Vette. And, just like the C6R, it has a 7 litre V8, with 600 hp. The Saleens have lots of torque. 812 Nm of them while the C6R only has around.. 650, 700 Nm...

[@Nick1944]

My dad being a stock broker can't buy foreign cars because of union workers that he works with. So his dream car is a z06 corvette. But he is in love with aston martins as well. He's always said he'd like to have one. Two of his favorite cars. :)

[@F22flyhigh]

Got to love the Vette Boys!!!!! brilliant.

[@IchiTrois]

Clearly, Corvette is boss here

[@Krashemkid]

Chevy is making a GT2 version of the C6.R it is based on the Corvette ZR1 and it will make its race debut at Mid- Ohio the race after the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

[@FraAngelico729]

I remember watching this. I'm a Vette guy through and through, but Astons leave me weak-kneed. This was a great rivalry, even better than the Vette battles versus the Vipers and Ferraris.

[@osirisvb]

The aston martin crew should feel more shame, because the corvette was on older tires and the aston crew changed their tires during the safety car. If anything this video is a good indication of the level of dedication and mental focus the corvette team and corvette drivers are capable off. With bad tires there were still 1 and 2 while aston martin only had 1 car in the race with Pedro Lamy desperately trying to get by with newer tires than the vette.

[@studio-flash]

can't argue with electronbluezo6, corvettes racing pedigree is second to none. They are unbeatable.Credit were its due. Also the engine is u.s./u.k. designed i think, so euro-people stop being jealous, by the way i'm english.corvettes..brilliant!

[@larsen550]

Its all good. Yes Corvette Racing does have a larger budget and bigger team as well, but the C6R is about 40%-45% stock as well. There are certainly racing parts added to both though for preformance. I just want to see this season be a real battle.

[@positivesecret]

there is more to a car than just speed, the aston is made of the finest materals you can find, and the style is perfect, low class corvette on every corner

[@seangwill]

what happened to the dodge vipers? how come you dont see those any more

[@themunster]

@Northax Ah right yeah - Aston was never going to get past and he knew it, the Corvette had the correct line, the 'inside' isn't the racing line. The only reason the Aston is there is so he didn't have to lift off or risk running into the back of the Vette.

[@bjhbjhbjhweeee]

I miss this years...

[@brett9917]

Yes they are, they are running the Gulf liveries in the LMS this year.

[@n9athan]

my two favorite cars head to head

[@FraAngelico729]

Actually, I should correct myself. There was one other European manufacturer involved in Corvette design and build. The '89 ZR-1 used a six-speed tranny designed jointly by GM and Zandfabrik Friedrichshafen (ZF).

[@TheKillahAkASuperP]

nice battle! love both cars

[@ericambrosecoon]

It's much easier to be the follower. Maintaining a lead like this is incredibly difficult.

[@65FALCONSG]

I miss seeing this car racing. Amazing sound in person that this video can not capture. I believe Pratt and Miller made the engines for this car. Now this car races in a lower class with less horsepowere.

[@presidentskroob522]

I was there, that was my first le mans!

[@Molo9000]

@Koruephiroth There are 4 classes at the 24h of le mans. LMP1 and LMP2 (the first car in the video is one of those): le mans prototpyes. Fastest cars on the grid. Usually take the overall win. The winning cars were powered by diesel engines for the last 5 years. GT1 and GT2: More or less production based GT cars

[@FdSnakeEater]

they should have made the vette with rear independent suspension. It is still design based on old technology. It would do even better. This race version C6R doesn't even have the stock suspension setup....all been modified to independent at all 4 corners.

[@aqinthe]

@AutoFanBoy I will agree that the Mazadas in the early 90's were dominate. But Japanese car companies have only won the 24 hour of Le Mans once. ( in 91and in a Mazda) For all of their technology they should have won more 24 hours of Le Mans races. I do agree also that racing regulations can go overboard sometimes.

[@FraAngelico729]

"The suspensions were rebuilt all around by European GM (Opel)." What?!?! The only time European design found its way into the Corvette was the Lotus-designed LT-5. Even then, it was built by Mercury Marine.

[@Inklebonker1]

@DecadentOpiate I myself would rather have the vette. It just seems more practical and more acceptable to aftermarket changes. Love astons though, my favorite of all time is the vanquish

[@Shenmoki]

ok im american, and i'll admit our production cars don't take corners well, but all of our race cars are astonishing

[@gtrwarnock]

corvette has one gt1 class 5 times because there hasnt been a serious competition apart from in 2006 but aston was only in its second year of a new car so the experience wasnt there but now its showing the pace and the drivers.

[@Leon-Hardt]

The last truly battle of GT1 (2005-2008)...today is "famelic"

[@lbm323]

Man your so right. americans have produced good drivers. Jeff Gordon not just in NASCAR but he is a talented driver in other cars. And America needs a LMP1 car. Im going to school to be a mechanical engineer in hopes that one day i can be the american LMP1 team

[@themunster]

oh sweet! where did you get this info mate, could you give me the link?

[@pointsur]

I think i read somewhere that the mc12 was 17 feet long. I might have read wrong.

[@themunster]

Well I dunno, corvette are supposed to be running in GT2 after this season, So I don't know if they'll use the C6 but with a de-tuned engine. I'm not too hot on what cars are used in US GT racing. Aston Martin have different versions of the DBR9 for GT2/GT3 so hopefully corvette can do the same. I hope its all just rumors, but you can see what they are thinking. There are only 7 cars in GT1 this year at le mans, but over twice that in GT2 just because GT1 is too expensive for the smaller teams.

[@n0f3aR629]

Looks like GRID

[@mp3_Martin]

THis was really one exciting battle! I remember this clearly :)

[@LambOfNile]

@909Monopoly there is barely anything on that Corvette that is stock, no stock corvette can take turns well at speed, having said that they are getting better, the ZR1 is a great car

[@LawfordLad]

Yep! Corvette one this race in 06. But Aston won 07 & this year. All races between the two cars are very close!

[@pointsur]

yeah, i just drove my Z06 up to sonoma this past weekend. there was a ferrari driver with his young son going around the park revving his engine. it was beautiful, but he was showing off. i pulled up and parked my vette in front of a cafe. people did not react at first, but they soon realized i had a Z06 and started talking. people thanked me for "not showing off". they all KNEW i was faster than the F430! his was black, and so was mine. with black wheels, i looked like the knight rider!.

[@vermt001]

the corvette is definitely competitive, they are saying the corvette has old tires and the DBR9 has fresh tires and just cant get by

[@LawfordLad]

Quality always comes at a price mate! I was at Silverstone in April for the FIA GT. Great race as well. Aston just pipped Corvette. You seem like me, i love both cars and can see past the fanboyism that goes on between the Aston & Vette. Aston still my fav but im a Brit so!

[@TheMilo321]

The Viper went out of production but is back now. The new 2013 gts-r is going to be racing GT in the ALMS later this season

[@LawfordLad]

Well what a great race. Aston trimphed in an enthralling 24hour battle. Maybe next year Corvette!

[@gbowne1]

I heard that Laguna still has some 917s around once in a while.. now almost 40 years later.

[@mp3_Martin]

@FraAngelico729 Opel has nothing to do with the C6.R. Pratt&Miller have built and designed the C6.R with the help of Chevy, and lots of the components in the C6.R were taken straight from the Corvette Z06

[@LolaJudd]

No, Team Modena is the only full-season DBR9 LMS team.

[@pointsur]

Got news for you, don't tell anybody: The Zo6's engine is ALL HAND BUILT. Just one technician, and he signs his name on the work after it's tested. Let"s see, WHO does that also? I don't know, hmmm, maybe...FERRARI?

[@themunster]

@Northax Sorry mate, no idea what you mean. Which corner? When?

[@Orvieta]

It's possible, I do know 100% sure it's a slightly downgraded model of the DBR9. Just assumed a DBRS9 could be road legal.

[@1down5up426]

best vette ever. pushrod v8s all day, baby. i wish chrysler would put this much effort into the viper comp coupe or acr.

[@ChocolatusPrime]

Both cars sound great together.

[@aqinthe]

@AutoFanBoy And for nowdays they are pretty much out of ALMS and 24 hours of Le Mans races.

[@Koruephiroth]

Can anybody please tell me which race classes participate in this race? Especially the first car in the video (/ the audi with the fuel problems = same race class) i would like to know which race class..

[@ninjafatballz]

@JRPIV91 no thats far from true, its the other way around. there isnt a single stock Aston that can run with a Z06 or ZR1.

[@pointsur]

i just went to the exotic car dealership to get reaquainted with astons. while the dbs are not that appealing to me, i saw a "just off the truck" vantage. THAT car was sharp. it was the light green with gunmetal colored wheels and beige leather interior. my vette has butterfly valves that open at full throttle. it's pretty quiet around town, until you step on it. oh, it works on the street as well. the ride is fine to me, but maybe not on european roads.

[@sporkafife]

You don't quite get Le Mans racing do you? Le Mans Prototype is the name given to the cars competing in the LMP1 or LMP2 categories (thats what LMP actually stands for) they're not actally un-tested Prototypes or anything like that. By the way with me being truly honest I don't expect the Aston Martin to win the LMP1 category. That will still probably be Audi as Aston Martin only have 10% of the budget as the teams they are racing. But it will be a bloody good race to watch!

[@0wildworld0]

lol, when you said great scrap i watched the whole thing expecting there to be a crash.... haha.

[@gaddyify]

But the corvette is the exception, because the zr1 and the zo6 performance on the street, benefits from some of the success of the c6r racing program.

[@FraAngelico729]

@ Kw12345ff I think you may be a little confused. You probably be thinking of GM's 'Project Opel', which was the program Bill Mitchell pitched to GM in 1952 which later became the Corvette in 1953.

[@zemurph]

The aston has been knockin on the door of the vette for years now. Its been more of a match for pace but has been a constant victim of reliability issues. It should have won le mans 2006, it shouldv given a serious challenge in ALMS 2006 but reliability again but this year in the LMS it has had the vette beat completely and it cemented its position with this le mans win. The aston is finally the car to break the vette hold on GT1.

[@LordEthan2]

yeah GTR2's the go :)

[@Jackie_Tikki_Tavi]

i know it has some porpose, but still why do they turn their light? i just want to know.

[@at5mics]

Pratt & Miller and Corvette Racing paid their dues to get as fast as they are, as far as getting their tails kicked the first few years of the program...but nobody changed the rules for them. But Aston comes in and immediately the rules are changed. There's no question about it, when both teams were under the 'SAME' rules, it wasn't even a contest. Whatever happened to makeing your car better the old-fashioned way? Instead of getting a rules change to get on equal ground?

[@FdSnakeEater]

Right a 4:43 if you pause it...the front car before the panoz, vette, and aston....is that a Toyota Supra? It looks like the SuperGT Au Cerumo Supra GT Car....I can't tell for sure.

[@pointsur]

if you did beat us, congrats, i do not have a problem with a loss, i only have problems with people not giving the vette it's deserved credit.