KYB STEERS ASTON MARTIN RACING TOWARDS SUCCESS

KYB is continuing to support the Aston Martin Racing team with its Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system in 2006, as part of a three year technical partner sponsorship deal.

The Prodrive-run team, which only returned to international motor sport last year, will campaign with two DBR9s in the GT1 class for the 2006 Le Mans 24 hours race in June.  Two further DBR9s will be competing, run by other Aston Martin Racing Works and customer teams. Specially designed for racing use, KYB’s EPS system is fitted to all four cars, and provides more energy efficient steering than conventional hydraulic power steering systems.


The system offers drivers a number of benefits including:

- improved steering feel with a high torque sensor

- high steering rating, produced by a high powered motor

- five levels of assistance that can be selected to suit the requirements of the driver, or type of car

- suppressed noise, heat and vibration

KYB’s EPS system can be fitted without the need for oil, pumps, piping or tanks, and no additional alternator or batteries are required, making installation or replacement hassle-free.  The system can be installed in any position between the steering wheel and steering gearbox, and for safety has a monitor to sense failure, changes in the current from the battery to the motor, motor temperature and the level of steering input torque.

Aston Martin Racing had an excellent start at this year’s 12 hour Sebring endurance race in March, with cars finishing in 2nd and 3rd place.  This endurance classic marks the beginning of the 2006 American Le Mans Series season and Aston Martin has also announced it will be running a team of two DBRS9s in the supporting SCCA Speed World Challenge Series.