Aston Martin DBRS9

The Aston Martin DBRS9 is a racing car built by Aston Martin Racing to be a cheaper alternative to the Aston Martin DBR9, both of which are based on the Aston Martin DB9. The DBRS9 was introduced in 2005 and has since been replaced with the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3.

Development

The DBRS9 features several modifications to the standard DB9. With developments including a full race specification roll-cage and a tuned version of the 5.9L V12 engine to bring output up to 550 bhp (410 kW; 558 PS). Other modifications include carbon fiber body panels (exc roof), polycarbonate side and rear windows and a stripped out interior in order to drop weight by 480 kg (1,060 lb). With these enhancements bringing the DBRS9's power output up to 430 bhp/tonne.

The car also features uprated suspension with a lowered ride height and stiffened racing springs. The DBRS9 has also been fitted with a close-ratio racing gearbox in either 6-speed fully manual or an upgraded sequential manual form.

DBRS

DBRS is a credit rating agency (CRA) founded in 1976 (originally known as Dominion Bond Rating Service) in Toronto by Walter Schroeder, who sold the company to a consortium led by The Carlyle Group and Warburg Pincus in December 2014. DBRS is the largest rating agency in Canada with other offices in New York, Chicago, and London. DBRS comprises three affiliated operating companies – DBRS Limited; DBRS, Inc.; and DBRS Ratings Limited. Daniel Curry is the agency’s CEO. DBRS is the fourth largest ratings agency in the world, with about a 2.5% global market share.

DBRS is registered as a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization from the United States’ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), one of only 10 companies to hold the designation. DBRS is also registered with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and with the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) in Canada.

The company is one of only four CRAs, along with larger competitors Standard & Poor’s, Moody's Investors Service, and Fitch Ratings, to receive ECAI recognition from the European Central Bank (ECB). That designation indicates CRAs whose ratings can be used by the ECB to determine collateral requirements for borrowing from the ECB.