To view video's please visit the following links:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=A-f7YjMeIWY
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qKWEWyxNOLE&feature=related
Hi Everyone,
Hope you are all well.
Our first ESX Aston Martin Track Day was a huge success!!!
Aston Martins from all over the West Coast gathered at the California Speedway in Fontana, CA., on March 11th, 2008 to attend what became a day full of surprises, fun and racing!
With over 50 vehicles, including over 40 Aston Martins, this was a day at the races to remember!
The event actually started the night before at the Ritz Carlton Huntington Pasadena Hotel, where enthusiasts from out of town gathered to meet and have drinks. Driving up and seeing approximately 20 Aston Martins filling the circular parking area in front of the hotel was a vision by itself.
The next morning at 7 AM sharp the vehicles started rolling in and a hot breakfast was waiting for all. I spoke a few words of welcome and then promptly introduced our surprise guest speaker, the President of the United States, Mr. George Bush! Complete with security detail! (Actually a good friend of mine and fantastic George Bush impersonator, Mr. Jim Nieb!) He got the morning off to a laughing start as he went over the days events in his own unique way!
Then one of our racing instructors and the driver of our ESX World Challenge Speed GT entry, Mr. Gary Sheehan stepped up to the podium and went over some of the basics of racing and safety. Linda Haneline then went over the flags, with the help of Mr. George Bush! Our professional instructors were introduced and all aspects of the day were outlined.
Bell safety helmets were provided for all by ESX and our 2006 National NHRA ESX Champion Julie Stepan demonstrated proper helmet fitment.
Then it was off to the track, where we spent the rest of the day racing the 1.4 mile infield course!
As the groups of Aston Martins ran around the track we were able to snap off some great photos.
Please visit the following link for pictures of the event:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24603552@N02/
We also had a series of "Ali Afshar Signature Series 2008 Subaru ESX/STi's" for rent. Enthusiasts took advantage of these very limited production Subaru STi's and made great use of their turbocharged and all wheel drive abilities. If you are not familiar with these limited production ESX/STi's, which are now available for sale at participating Subaru dealerships, please visit the following link to view the 2008 ESX/STi video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Jy4dNqyBpLc
As a special treat, we offered passenger rides in one of the worlds leading road racing Subaru's with Gary Sheehan behind the wheel. It was great to see and hear the enthusiasts reactions after they finished their thrilling laps in that very special 600 Plus Horsepower ESX/STi!
I want to thank all the guests and enthusiasts for making this day one to remember. Especially our guests that came from far distances, including San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, San Diego, Arizona and a few that traveled from as far as Moscow!
The people and their love for their Aston Martins made this event spectacular. As the owner of a DB9 and a Vantage Roadster myself, I too share the passion so many of us have for these truly unique vehicles. For a quick glimpse of my DB9 featured on an ESPN television show please vist:
http://esxmotorsports.com/motorsports/video/D12%20Aston%20Martin.mov
On behalf of ESX, I am very proud to be able to offer such events for Aston Martin enthusiasts in 2008 and I look forward to our next one!
Please feel free to email me any comments and suggestions you have regarding our event. We will take any considerations from our attendee's to make the next event even better.
Special thanks to all our ESX staff including my older brother Mr. John Afshar, who has to put up with my crazy idea's, NIck from Red Zone, Chris W. and Doug on their work on our special ESX Vantage project, Linda Haneline and her crew, all our instructors as well as Lindsay and Saara from Just Perfect Planning that made the event possible. Tim O'Hara, Janelle Salehi & Dawn Czarny from Beverly Hills Aston Martin, Joe Van De Veere, Neda Vega & Brian Allen from Galpin Aston Martin, Chris Umlauf from Aston Martin of San Diego, Dan Stephen of Marin Aston Martin, Paul Jerrett from Aston Martin of Las Vegas, Debby Johnson from Cole European Aston Martin, Bauer Aston Martin, Scottsdale Aston Martin, Silicone Valley Auto Group, and Mr. George Wood, president of the Aston Martin Onwers Club and Mr. David Fancher.
And a very special thanks to Aston Martin Lagonda Limited for manufacturing one of the most dynamic vehicles in the world!
Sincerely,
Ali Afshar
President
ESX Motorsports
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