New autosport.com columnist Darren Turner reports back on his first taste of Aston Martin Racing's exciting LMP1 prototype, as the Briton bids for glory in sportscar racing's fastest category in 2009

I’m a bit of an anorak when it comes to cars - I enjoy the whole process of how they're built and what makes them tick – so it’s been a fascinating few weeks in the Aston Martin Racing factory watching the guys get the stunning new LMP1 coupe ready for our test debut at Paul Ricard last weekend.

The first time I saw it in full trim and with bodywork wasn’t until Saturday afternoon at Ricard. I shook down the 007 car, but that was just a systems check without any bodywork. My 009 car was only finished at 4.30pm on Friday afternoon and went straight onto the truck.

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