Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer is a Total Badass

It’s hard to imagine how Andy Palmer, the 54-year old CEO of storied British manufacturer Aston Martin, could get much cooler.

In addition to being an accomplished businessman and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Palmer is also a pretty handy racing driver. This weekend, he’ll be driving a GT4-spec Vantage GT8 in the 24 hours of Circuit of the Americas – the final round of the Creventic 24H Series. Palmer is a keen amateur racer and has competed in four Aston Martin Owners Club races this year at Snetterton, Brands Hatch, Rockingham and Silverstone. Aston Martin racing drivers Darren Turner, Jonny Adam and Daniel Serra, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year, have also been giving Palmer some pointers when they can.

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“It is a real treat for me to take part in the race at COTA,” said Palmer. “I have a fantastic car, some great co-drivers and a top team behind me and we are going out there to try to win the SP3 class. It’s a fantastic circuit with some fast sections and some tight, technical corners and I know our WEC drivers enjoy racing there. I have no delusions of being the next Turner or Adam, but I’m grateful for all the advice I can get from the professionals. Our plan is to emulate the motto of another Aston Martin racer, Nicki Thiim… ‘Go hard or go home’!”

Splitting driving duties with Palmer in his Vantage GT4 will be Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood, racing driver Peter Cate and Radio Le Mans commentator John Hindhaugh. In addition to his TV gig, Hollywood also races a Vantage GT3 with Beechdean AMR in British GT, while Cate is a dedicated racer with a Nurburgring 24 Hour win under his belt. Hindaugh is the voice many hear commentating when they watch Le Mans each year,  but he’ll be swapping his mic for a steering wheel this weekend.

So there you have it –  just when you thought Palmer had achieved plenty in being an accomplished engineer and businessman, he signs up for a 24h endurance race in his mid-50s. We salute you, Mr. Palmer. If only all automotive CEOs were this cool.

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