Yahoo Autos Newey-designed rocketship on track at Apex
Homologation practices were implemented into racing series across the world in the spirit of creating a safe and level playing field on which racing could become a test of a drivers skills rather than a test of a team’s engineering. This strict, level playing field however, prevents manufacturers from developing wild feats of engineering like those seen in the golden age of Formula 1 when the grid hosted a six wheeled car, and the early stages of active aero.
So what happens when you remove homologation standards from the equation? What happens when you take the reins off of a manufacturer with a racing pedigree, and open access to the latest and greatest technology and talent available?
You get the Aston Martin Valkyrie – AMR Pro.
There were absolutely no expenses spared in the development of this rocketship of a car. Designed by the world famous Adrian Newey, the sleek yet dramatic bodywork produces levels of downforce that are more commonly seen in reference to the lift produced by the wings of a jet. The 6.5-liter naturally aspirated mid-engine Cosworth V-12 produces 1000 horsepower at the wheel. With a curb weight of just 2500 pounds and a Formula 1-derived suspension system is capable of handling upwards of three lateral Gs.
Not a corner cut, nor stone left unturned, the AMR Pro is a purebred, bona fide racecar.
APEX Motor Club member and Heart of Racing team principal Ian James – who is one of the lucky few fortunate enough to sit behind the wheel of a car of this caliber – described the car as “just epic.” James recounted the first time that the Heart of Racing team tested their Valkyrie, at Laguna Seca noting that, “When you drive the Valkyrie around there, it becomes much shorter.”
Paying particular attention to the staggering difference in speed between the GT cars and the Valkyrie, James stated that, “when we race the GT3 cars around Apex we see 130-135 miles per hour going into Turn 1. In the Valkyrie we see about 175 miles per hour.” The back straight at Apex is even more impressive: the multi-million dollar AMR Pro hits north of 200 mph.
Though the AMR Pro was designed to no homologation standards, Aston Martin and the Heart of Racing team have since confirmed that an alternate version of the Valkyrie will be making its racing debut in 2025 in WEC and IMSA. This would make the Valkyrie the first ever road-based car to race in the Hypercar class and the only road-based V-12 to challenge for a win in the past 30 years.
The Heart of Racing team is one of a few professional racing organizations that have taken a liking to the APEX Circuit as a testing grounds to practice, tune and develop the cars that they run in Series like IMSA and SRO. If you’re interested in becoming an Apex member and racer and getting involved in the next APEX Challenge season starting in October, please email click here to contact us. Check out the video below, or watch it here.
