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Jonny Adam is an Aston Martin Racing Driver – 2 times Le Mans Class Winner

Jonny Adam remembered: ‘As soon as we arrived at Le Mans that year, we knew we had a great car and that was proved by Darren securing an impressive pole position in class. Darren started the race and put us in a solid position by the end of the first stint that allowed us to run a fast but steady pace from there on. The Vantage LMGTE was in its fifth and final season. We knew we had strong reliability with a proven race engine and gearbox and were confident that the car would perform well. We were already testing the new car that year so we wanted to give this Vantage a fitting send off with a win at Le Mans. At the last pitstop the Corvette got the jump on us and Jordan clearly had great pace. Any chance of victory now would have to be a the pass on track. I simply had to drive flat, make no mistakes and keep the pressure on'.

For the next 45 minutes Jonny gradually reeled in the Corvette to set up one of the great finishes in the history of sport and fitting for any fictional book or Hollywood film. With just 2 laps to go Jonny had caught the Corvette with Nikki Thiim in car #95 in close formation behind.

Catching the car in front is one thing, passing is another. ‘I knew I had a marginally faster car but overtaking was going to be difficult. I needed to take my chance as soon as it arrived’.

In the penultimate lap Jonny sensed half an opportunity to pass at the notorious right angle turn at Arnage. The pressure and weight of responsibility must have been huge. Arnage is not a normal overtaking corner (for cars of similar class). Entering the corner side by side both cars touched, went off line but managed to take the corner (just) and exited together with the Corvette ultimately gaining better traction.

‘I knew that the Aston had superior pace through the preceding fast corner of Indianapolis. Entering side by side into Arnage I needed to outbreak Jordan as this was my best and only chance. It was high risk but I knew at the time that both Darren and Daniel would have done the same. I did not actually feel the cars touch at the time. The wing mirror was still in place and I pressed on. However, the incident had broken my momentum and I had lost the tow and then I quickly dropped 7-8 car lengths behind’.

For the rest of the lap the Astons gradually reeled in Corvette again. Entering the pitlane start for the final time Jonny overtook the Corvette in front of thousands of fans and millions across the globe watching the live TV feed. The Corvette had suffered minor bodywork damage at Arnage incident leading to a slow puncture and limped around the rest of the lap to finish third in class and a step on the podium.

‘It was really cool to get him just before the finish line and to see fans in the grandstands and the team on the pit wall celebrating, and it was then just time to bring it home. I normally can hear nothing outside of the race car but on this occasion I could hear the crowd roar as I overtook. A memory I will never forget.’

This race win was an important moment for Aston Martin.

Paul Howarth, Team Principal Aston Martin Racing, commented, ‘It’s very difficult to put into words what it means to Aston Martin Racing and all of our partners. Aston Martin and it’s heritage has a strong history with this very special race and to deliver a Pro class win with the #97 is a credit to everybody involved whether here at the track or whatever part they play with this race tea’.

I met Jonny for the first time and Silverstone in October this year and was naturally delighted when he agreed to be interviewed by me for AMOC. He was dashing to catch a flight from Bristol to Portugal to drive a Vantage GT3 in the final round of the European Le Mand Series at Portimao, but he promised to find some time in a few weeks. True to his word we agreed a date towards the end of the same month.

Jonny’s racing started in the 1990’s and he secured the Scottish Karting Championship in 1998 and 1999. He quicky moved through Formula Renault and Formula Ford and started racing Clios in 2004 securing the Winter Series Championship the same year. In 2006 he joined the Seat Cupra Championship with numerous wins and podium positions. He then joined the British Touring Car Championship and took top rookie in 2009.

It was in 2011 that he started his racing career with Aston Martin driving for Beechdean Motorsport in a DBRS9 in the British GT Championship. In 2012 Jonny then raced the mighty and successful V12 Vantage GT3 race car taking the British GT Championship titles with co-driver Andrew Howard in 2015 and 2016 before then taking further championships titles in 2018 and 2019 in the Vantage AMR GT3.

‘With regard the V12 Vantage GT3 I was the very first test driver of the car and right from the start the car was powerful with linear performance and great handling’. 

Jonny said that he enjoys being busy and racing in numerous championships as is important to drive a much as possible to keep my skills honed to the highest level.

I reflected with Jonny on his 14 years of association with Aston Martin.

‘I am hugely proud to be associated with Aston and AMR. Not only have I had the opportunity to drive highly competitive racing cars but have enjoyed the kudos associated with the premium brand that resonates strongly with people both inside and outside the sport. My long-term association with Prodrive has also been great and I have had the chance to see many team members progress their own skills and careers over the years’.