Two famous names will unite for the 2008 Le Mans 24hrs. Aston Martin will return to Le Sarthe to defend its GT1 crown and this time the cars – numbered 007 and 009 – will be in Gulf Oil colours.

The evocative orange and eggshell blue DBRS9s will compete 40 years after a Gulf-liveried car first won Le Mans. It was a Ford GT40. David Richard, chairman of Aston Martin said: ‘Endurance racing is engrained in the heritage of both Gulf and Aston Martin and we have also both been intrinsically linked through Le Mans for many decades. It was perhaps destined that, in the year we defend our GT1 title and Gulf celebrates the 40th anniversary of its win, we would finally race together at La Sarthe.’

But apparently the partnership isn’t a one-off either with Alain Dujean, Gulf Oil vice president claiming he hopes for ‘a long and fruitful partnership.’

The 2008 Le Mans 24hrs takes place on 14-15 June, thankfully a few weeks after the Nurburgring 24hrs. Last year the two events clashed meaning race fans had to choose between the two. This year that won’t be the case, and Aston Martin should have a presence at both races.

There's no word yet on whether the DBRS9s due to race at Le Mans will be running on pure ethanol. After all, Aston Martin Racing has also just unveiled a Vantage GT2 racer than is compatible with E100 fuel.