Showcase of Gulf racing history at Goodwood Festival

2008 Le Mans class-winning Aston Martin amongst exhibits

Fresh from its GT1 win at the weekend's Le Mans 24 Hours, the victorious Gulf-liveried Aston Martin DBR9 will now return to the UK to take its place at the Goodwood Festival of Speed alongside arguably the largest collection of powder blue and orange sportscars ever assembled in the UK, in celebration of Gulf's racing history.

From the historic Ford GT40 and Porsche 917 to the more recent McLaren F1 supercar, Gulf has enjoyed an association with some of the greatest marques and racing drivers in the history of world endurance racing. Its latest success, with the DBR9 of Aston Martin Racing, represents a fitting way to celebrate 40 years since the first Gulf win at Le Mans with the legendary Ford GT40 as Jonathan Turner, Managing Director of Gulf Retail, explains:

"What a way to celebrate such an historic landmark with a class win for Aston Martin Racing in Gulf's powder blue and orange. It was a very special moment on Sunday when we cheered the DBR9 across the chequered flag. Now we are looking forward to the Festival of Speed at Goodwood where the wider public can see our latest Le Mans winner alongside some of those cars that have contributed to Gulf's fantastic racing heritage."

The 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place over the weekend of 11th-13th July and included within the Gulf collection will be this year's GT1 class winning Aston Martin DBR9, a GT40, Porsche 908 and 917, Ford Mirage, 1994 Kremer-Spyder and 1997 McLaren F1 GTR 'longtail'.

"We are very proud that a festival with the presence and prestige of Goodwood has decided to celebrate Gulf's 40 years of achievements in motorsport," continues Turner. "At a time when we are working hard to increase the size and profile of Gulf's UK forecourt and lubricants business, this is a mouth-watering prospect for all those associated with Gulf and the many enthusiasts who, like me, have grown up with images of GT40s winning at Le Mans and Steve McQueen doing battle in a Gulf 917. It promises to be another very special weekend!"

The #009 Aston Martin Racing DBR9 in Gulf powder blue and orange was driven to victory at Le Mans by David Brabham, Darren Turner and Antonio Garcia, beating off the challenge of Corvette to secure the GT1 title.

-credit: gulf racing