Who is this week's mystery driver?

A small contest this week for the motorsport diehards. Yes it is the Nurburgring 24 hour race, many years ago. I have 3 questions for you.
1) Who is the driver, making his debut at this event? 2) What exact type and model car is he driving? And a bonus point if you know 3) the name of this particular car, that had such a successful history at the Nurburgring 24 hour race. First correct response in the comments wins ... I don't know what, but I'll think of something.

[@billyday8378]

Darren Turner in the Aston. That porsche coming past up the hill... incredible. Every corner named! Bloody rippa

[@inCARnationAustralia]

And we have a winner. Well done Billy. Yes it's UK driver Darren Turner driving the Aston Martin Vantage V8 4.7 in the 2011 Nurburgring 24h. Sharing the drive were Shinichi Katsura (JPN), Rob Thomson (AUS) and Jurgen Stumpf (GER). Unlike later years when DT was in front-running cars, this fairly low-powered car in the SP10 category was never going to be a contender. It finished 81st that year and 5th in class. But a sweet sounding motor isn't it? My colleague Mal Rose drove it a couple of times in the race in subsequent years. Before it was orange, the car was originally blue hence the nickname "Smurf"

[@kevinr6886]

It is a very good driver, and it’s a wonderful V8 car without a tacho....

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Yes Darren has gone from strength to strength as a factory Aston driver. And it has a tacho Kev, one of those confusing Aston ones with the counter-clockwise needle. Considering it's a 24 hour race, Darren isn't afraid to use plenty of revs too. My Video VBox had no connection to the car's computer, so unfortunately I can't show revs, throttle, brake, etc.

[@andrewdove9867]

I was thinking it was an M3 but now I’ve read your comment I realise how little I know! Ok so here’s a question; how come an Aston 4.7 can get passed by a 3.8 Porsche?

[@voodoopunch2617]

That's actually a good question. The Aston isn't one of the higher spec GT3 cars that Darren drove later on. This was the entry-level customer GT4-spec car, essentially a road car stripped out, and not a lot of development. The engine internals are basically stock. The Porsche was a Cup car - considerably lighter and higher state of tune, with around 450hp and 1250kg. The Aston has I believe around 420hp and another 80kg at least to lug around. The GT3 cars of subsequent years are a different kettle of fish, being outright contenders with the 6.0 litre V12.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Whoops. I replied in the wrong persona. That was my musician persona. (Stu)

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Answers: Aston Martin Vantage V8 4.7 GT4. Driven by Darren Turner (UK). Car was nicknamed "Smurf" as it was originally painted blue before it was dark orange.

[@IdoZatTimeInaVan]

Mal Rose. V8 Supercar. A red one. :-D

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Ha ha. No. And no.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Wrong!

[@Roland_Rohrle]

Gripping footage

[@kewlhunter7333]

911r?