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Aston racer will take part in the Nurburgring 24 Hours next month

These are the first moving pictures of the race-spec Aston Martin Rapide in testing at the Nurburgring.

The car will take part in the Nurburgring 24 Hours next month. The car pictured here, however, is a test mule as the Nurburging racer is being built as a one-off and is believed to be undergoing the majority of its testing at Silverstone.

See the Aston Martin Rapide racer spy pics

The Rapide racer is having only minor modifications made to it for the race at the 'Ring. The 6.0-litre V12 engine and brakes will not be touched; the only changes will be some bespoke racing dampers, safety and aerodynamic changes and some slick tyres, which the car pictured here is testing.

Aston is said to be keen to have up to four people on board during the race to showcase the Rapide's four-seater layout, despite the weight penalty keeping them in will lead to. It is not clear whether race organisers will allow this. However, the test mule appears to show its rear doors have been sealed up.

One of the drivers will be Aston's CEO Ulrich Bez and he will be joined by a selection of Aston engineers. When the car's livery was revealed, Bez said: "This race represents the ultimate final engineering durability test for any sports car; it subjects the car to the toughest possible assessment under public scrutiny.

“The Rapide has the capability to carry four people in comfort but first and foremost it is a sports car, and we will subject it to the same tests we would our other sports cars."

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Ravon 28 April 2010

Re: Aston Rapide racer spied

This car, albeit painted blue was racing in the VLN event on the Nurburgring last Saturday for all the world to see, not so secret ! Regards.