World premiere at the 2012 São Paulo International Motor Show: The new SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY"

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World premiere for the new SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" at the 2012 São Paolo International Motor Show: the exclusively appointed special series is aimed at car collectors with a particular penchant for motor racing. The customer sport racing car is being built by hand in a limited edition of no more than five vehicles in Affalterbach. Record DTM champion and AMG brand ambassador Bernd Schneider is involved hands-on in the production process, installing the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine in the SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" together with an AMG engine fitter.

The exclusive collector's item is also synonymous with the successful AMG customer sports programme. With a current tally of 36 wins in the 2012 motorsport season and three driver and team titles in the FIA GT3 European Championship, the ADAC GT Masters and the FIA GT1 World Championship to its name, the racing version of the gullwing model from Mercedes-AMG is also an impressive success story in its own right.

"The world premiere of our special "45th ANNIVERSARY" series of the SLS AMG GT3 at the 27th São Paulo International Motor Show in Brazil is a homage to all Brazilian AMG fans. Firstly because the Brazilian market has witnessed rapid growth for AMG high-performance vehicles in the past five years. And secondly because two of our AMG customer teams are putting in a very good showing in the Brazilian GT Championship and have excellent prospects with their three SLS AMG GT3s," notes Ola Källenius.

Exclusive matt paintwork and "45 Years of Driving Performance" logo

A number of exterior and interior modifications have been carried out for the special SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" model. The body of the SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" gleams auspiciously in the new designo magno graphite matt paint finish, for example. To date, this matt paintwork has been exclusive to the SL 65 AMG "45th ANNIVERSARY", which was unveiled to mark the 45th birthday of Mercedes-AMG at the New York International Auto Show in April 2012. The AMG light-alloy wheels in designo magno graphite complement the body's matt paintwork to perfection.

Another eye-catching feature is the striking "45 Years of Driving Performance" logo framed in silver on the GT3 racing car's gullwing doors.The special edition's logo embodies consummate design right down to the finer points of detail: closer inspection reveals the exposed carbon-fibre structure of the gullwing doors under the matt paintwork. The doors, along with the bonnet, mudguards, boot lid, rear wings, front and rear apron, front splitter and rear diffusor, are produced in the particularly lightweight motorsport material CFRP (CFRP = carbon fibre reinforced plastic).

The interior of the SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" evokes a functional racing car atmosphere, refined by high-quality, exclusive details: the steel roll-over cage is finished in matt "designo magno graphite" to match the exterior. The racing car's dashboard and centre console sport a matt carbon-fibre finish. Effective contrasts are produced by six-point seat belts in silver.

The collector's item also boasts a seat shell in a high-strength carbon-fibre safety cell on the co-driver's side. A special badge with a "1 of 5" logo on the seats alludes to the limited production run for this racing car. The standard appointments for the SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" are rounded off by a high-quality AMG indoor car cover with "45 Years of Driving Performance" logo.

Bernd Schneider as a VIP engine fitter

In keeping with the exclusive exterior and interior equipment and appointments, the engineering under the bonnet is of a similarly exclusive standard.48 year-old racing driver Bernd Schneider is assisting the responsible AMG engine fitter in installing the naturally aspirated AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine. The special AMG engine badge bearing the signatures of Bernd Schneider and the responsible engine fitter attest to this high-calibre duo's handiwork. Customers who acquire one of the rare SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" models also receive an exclusive vehicle certificate signed by Bernd Schneider.

The five-times DTM champion, overall ITC winner from 1995 and FIA GT world champion from 1997 works for Mercedes-AMG as a brand ambassador and an instructor at the AMG Driving Academy. Together with AMG customer sport coordinator Thomas Jäger, as an established expert in the field of SLS AMG GT3 customer sport Bernd Schneider has carried out the majority of the test drives for the racing version of the gullwing model. He also participates in selected races as part of the AMG driver support set-up. Bernd Schneider competed for various AMG customer teams in 2012, including the 24-hour Dubai race, at the Nürburgring and in Spa-Francorchamps.

Vehicle handover directly at AMG headquarters

Handover of the SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" takes place directly at Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach, where customers are also granted exclusive insights into the AMG world and have an opportunity to sample AMG's hallmark excellent service and support quality. An in-depth introduction to operation of the new vehicle and its engineering and technology is provided in the new 360 square-metre handover hall. In the case of this special GT3 racing car, this instruction is provided personally by AMG brand ambassador Bernd Schneider.

The programme also includes an individual tour of the factory, taking in the AMG Performance Studio, where exclusive series of individual AMG cars and one-off vehicles are developed and hand-made. This is followed by a visit to the AMG engine "Manufaktur" (hand-finishing section), where Bernd Schneider and the AMG engine fitter assembled the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine by hand. On request, the SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" customer can enjoy a race track coaching session as part of an initiation event with the vehicle.

- Price for Germany (incl. 19% VAT): SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" € 446,250

First place overall in the Brazilian GT Championship

Two AMG customer teams are competing in the Brazilian GT Championship with three SLS AMG GT3s. After five of a total of nine races, Duda Rosa and Cleber Faria (both BRA) from BVA Racing lead the overall placings. Their stablemates Vanuê Faria / Renan Guerra (both BRA) rank third. Paulo Bonifacio and Sérgio Jimenez (both BRA) from AMattheis Motorsport currently hold fifth place in the championship. The next race in the Brazilian GT Championship will take place on 28 October and the final meeting will be in Interlagos on 16 December.

Success on four continents, exemplary safety standard

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 is the racing version of the SLS AMG which has been designed for customer sport.49 such vehicles for short- and long-distance races have been delivered worldwide to date. In its first season in 2011, the gullwing model quickly established itself as the most successful newcomer of the motorsport year. International customer teams competing on four continents notched up a total of 26 wins. The vehicle's successful run was crowned when HEICO Motorsport won the team rankings at the FIA GT3 European Championship with its two Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3s – the first title for the gullwing model in its first full racing season. In the 2012 motorsport season the SLS AMG GT3 is competing in more than 15 racing series on four continents, including the FIA GT1 World Championship, the FIA GT3 European Championship, the ADAC GT Masters, the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring and the Blancpain Endurance Series. The triple victory in the 24-hour Dubai race in January 2012 and numerous places on the podium at various short-distance, 4- and 6-hour races demonstrate the SLS AMG GT3's sporty performance in impressive style. So far this season, the car has notched up 36 wins.

The SLS AMG GT3 additionally offers an exemplary standard of safety which is currently unrivalled by any other GT3 vehicle.Mercedes-AMG develops and produces the customer sport racing car in close cooperation with HWA AG. HWA is responsible for development and deployment of the Mercedes AMG C Coupés in the DTM on behalf of and in ongoing consultation with Mercedes-Benz Motorsport.

* Official photos and details courtesy of Mercedes-AMG GmbH *

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Limited-edition customer sport racing car to mark the 45th birthday: The new SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" – Exclusive collector's item

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With the new SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY", Mercedes-AMG is presenting an exclusively appointed special series which is aimed at car collectors with a particular penchant for motor racing. The customer sport racing car is being built by hand in a limited edition of no more than five vehicles in Affalterbach. Record DTM champion and AMG brand ambassador Bernd Schneider is involved hands-on in the production process, installing the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine in the SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" together with an AMG engine fitter.

The exclusive collector’s item is also a synonym for the successful AMG Customer Sports Programme: With currently 32 victories in the 2012 Motor Sports Season and the winning of three driver and team titles in the FIA GT3 European Championship, the ADAC GT Masters and the FIA GT1 World Championship, the race edition of the gullwing car of Mercedes-AMG is an impressive success story as well.

A number of exterior and interior modifications have been carried out for the special SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" model. The body of the SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" gleams auspiciously in the new designo magno graphite matt paint finish, for example. To date, this matt paintwork has been exclusive to the SL 65 AMG "45th ANNIVERSARY", which was unveiled to mark the 45th birthday of Mercedes-AMG at the New York International Auto Show in April 2012. The AMG light-alloy wheels in designo magno graphite complement the body's matt paintwork to perfection.

Another eye-catching feature is the striking "45 Years of Driving Performance" logo framed in silver on the GT3 racing car's gullwing doors. The special edition's logo embodies consummate design right down to the finer points of detail: closer inspection reveals the exposed carbon-fibre structure of the gullwing doors under the matt paintwork. The doors, along with the bonnet, mudguards, boot lid, rear wings, front and rear apron, front splitter and rear diffusor, are produced in the particularly lightweight motorsport material CFRP (CFRP = carbon fibre reinforced plastic).

The interior of the SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" evokes a functional racing car atmosphere, refined by high-quality, exclusive details: the steel roll-over cage is finished in matt "designo magno graphite" to match the exterior. The racing car's dashboard and centre console sport a matt carbon-fibre finish. Effective contrasts are produced by six-point seat belts and a steering wheel spider in silver.

The collector's item also boasts a seat shell in a high-strength carbon-fibre safety cell on the co-driver's side. A special badge with a "1 of 5" logo on the seats and the centre console alludes to the limited production run for this racing car. The standard appointments for the SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" are rounded off by a high-quality AMG indoor car cover with "45 Years of Driving Performance" logo.

Bernd Schneider as a VIP engine fitter

In keeping with the exclusive exterior and interior equipment and appointments, the engineering under the bonnet is of a similarly exclusive standard. 48 year-old racing driver Bernd Schneider is assisting the responsible AMG engine fitter in installing the naturally aspirated AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine. The special AMG engine badge bearing the signatures of Bernd Schneider and the responsible engine fitter attest to this high-calibre duo's handiwork. Customers who acquire one of the rare SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" models also receive an exclusive vehicle certificate signed by Bernd Schneider.

The five-times DTM champion, overall ITC winner from 1995 and FIA GT world champion from 1997 works for Mercedes-AMG as a brand ambassador and an instructor at the AMG Driving Academy.

As an established expert in the field of SLS AMG GT3 customer sport Bernd Schneider has carried out the majority of the test drives for the racing version of the gullwing model. He also participates in selected races as part of the AMG driver support set-up. Bernd Schneider competed for various AMG customer teams in 2012, including the 24-hour Dubai race, at the Nürburgring and in Spa-Francorchamps. In the ninth race of the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring, Bernd Schneider took a start position together with Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED) for the AMG Customer Team Black Falcon and won the 4-hour race. After numerous podium positions in the past two years, this was his first victory with the SLS AMG GT3.

Vehicle handover directly at AMG headquarters

Handover of the SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" takes place directly at Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach, where customers are also granted exclusive insights into the AMG world and have an opportunity to sample AMG's hallmark excellent service and support quality. An in-depth introduction to operation of the new vehicle and its engineering and technology is provided in the new 360 square-metre handover hall. In the case of this special GT3 racing car, this instruction is provided personally by AMG brand ambassador Bernd Schneider.

The programme also includes a tour of the factory, taking in the AMG Performance Studio, where exclusive series of individual AMG cars and one-off vehicles are developed and hand-made. This is followed by a visit to the AMG engine "Manufaktur" (hand-finishing section), where Bernd Schneider and the AMG engine fitter assembled this special AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine by hand. On request, the SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" customer can enjoy a race track coaching session as part of an initiation event with the vehicle.

Price for Germany (incl. 19% VAT):

- SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY": € 446,250

Success on four continents, exemplary safety standard

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 is the racing version of the SLS AMG which has been designed for customer sport. 49 such vehicles for short- and long-distance races have been delivered worldwide to date. In its first season in 2011, the gullwing model quickly established itself as the most successful newcomer of the motorsport year. International customer teams competing on four continents notched up a total of 26 wins. The vehicle's successful run was crowned when HEICO Motorsport won the team rankings at the FIA GT3 European Championship with its two Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3s – the first title for the gullwing model in its first full racing season.

In the 2012 motorsport season the SLS AMG GT3 is competing in more than 15 racing series on four continents, including the FIA GT1 World Championship, the FIA GT3 European Championship, the ADAC GT Masters, the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring and the Blancpain Endurance Series. The triple victory in the 24-hour Dubai race in January 2012, three driver and team titles in the FIA GT3 European Championship, the ADAC GT Masters, the FIA GT1 World Championship and numerous places on the podium at various short-distance, 4- and 6-hour races demonstrate the SLS AMG GT3's sporty performance in impressive style. For the time being, the 2012 season comprises 32 victories (1st October 2012).

The SLS AMG GT3 additionally offers an exemplary standard of safety which currently sets standards in GT3 racing. Mercedes-AMG develops and produces the customer sport racing car in close cooperation with HWA AG. HWA is responsible for development and deployment of the Mercedes AMG C-Class Coupés in the DTM on behalf of and in on-going consultation with Mercedes-Benz Motorsport.

* Official photos and details courtesy of Mercedes-AMG GmbH *

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Exceptionally successful week for AMG Customer Sports: Double title hat trick for the SLS AMG GT3

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Six titles in three championships in one week: The success rate of AMG Customer Teams with the SLS AMG GT3 is very impressive. After Maximilian Buhk (GER) and Dominik Baumann (AUT) from the AMG Customer Team HEICO-Gravity Charouz won the driver and the team title in the FIA GT3 European Championship one week ago, kfzteile24 MS RACING Team won the driver and team title in the ADAC GT Masters. In the FIA GT1 Championship, ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport also managed to win the driver and the team title.

Ola Källenius, Managing Director Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “Congratulations to the AMG Customer Teams that managed to accomplish a hat trick with the SLS AMG GT3 within one week. All of these excellent results are a perfect confirmation for our Customer Sports Programme.“

Victory, driver and team title in the ADAC GT Masters final

With their victory in the final race in the ADAC GT Masters on Hockenheimring, Sebastian Asch and Maximilian Götz (both GER) received the driver title. The driver duo of kfzteile24 MS RACING Team promisingly ranked on the third position in the first race on Saturday, when a tyre failure made them give up ten minutes prior to the end of the race. In the second race on Sunday, they started from the second position and took over the lead in lap 24. In the thrilling course of the race they managed to maintain their top position ahead of all competitors of the championship.

Asch / Götz was the most constant team of the entire season, they won podium positions eight times and achieved the pole position two times. At the same time, they achieved the first victory with a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 in the ADAC GT Masters 2012. In the last race, Asch / Götz managed to convert a backlog of seven points in the championship ranking into a lead of 15 points. kfzteile24 MS RACING Team also came first in the team ranking. The sister car with Daniel Dobitsch and Florian Stoll (both GER), finished third on Saturday and had to retire from the race after a collision and a resulting tyre failure. At the end of the season, they rank on the 22nd championship position.

The good results in the ADAC GT Masters were rounded up by the second position for Dominik Baumann and Hari Proczyk (both AUT), who won the second place in the final race and the fourth place in the race on Saturday in the gullwing car of HEICO Motorsport. The Austrian driver duo ended the championship with the ninth position. Andreas Simonsen (SWE) and Maximilian Buhk (GER) ended the championship with the SLS AMG GT3 of the HEICO Junior Team on rank eleven, after positions 24 on Saturday and seven on Sunday. Alexandros Margaritis and Lance David Arnold (both GER) from the Schöner Wohnen Polarweiss Team HEICO achieved two fifth positions and end the ADAC GT Masters on rank 18. Christiaan Frankenhout and Kenneth Heyer (both GER) from HEICO Motorsport achieved places twelve and 13 in Hockenheim and come 25th in the overall ranking.

Sebastian Asch: „It is unbelievable! Yesterday, we were still very disappointed, ranking third after the failure. But again, it has become apparent that one must never give up and has to take all possible chances. Thanks to the entire team for their tireless efforts.”

Maximilian Götz: „I have tears in my eyes – we have won through our own strength. The winning of the title makes me very happy. I want to thank the entire team for their great work during the whole season!”

Harald Böttner, Team Manager kfzteile24 MS RACING Team: „A dream has come true by winning the driver and team title in the second season in the ADAC GT Masters. Sebastian and Maximilian were the most constant drivers of the entire season – and that they can even crown their title with a confident victory here in the final race in Hockenheim, adds to that joy. I want to thank all team members!”

Team and driver title in the FIA GT1 World Championship

With the victory in the team ranking, ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport crowns the 2012 season in the FIA GT1 World Championship : After the last race in Donington Park (Great Britain), the team from Friedersdorf in Saxony confidently ranks on the first position with 245 points. Marc Basseng and Markus Winkelhock (both GER) won the driver title with a lead of only one point.

Marc Basseng and Markus Winkelhock came to the final of the FIA GT1 World Championship as leader of the standings with a lead of one point in the driver ranking. Basseng / Winkelhock ended the Qualifying Race on Saturday on the fifth position. The Championship Race on Sunday had a dramatic course: Shortly after the driver change from Marc Basseng to Markus Winkelhock, an accident between the SLS AMG GT3 and the BMW Z4 of Yelmer Buurman (NED) occurred while fighting on the track. After a consequent safety car phase, the race was ended ahead of time. Basseng and Winkelhock were deprived of the points from the Championship Race according to the decision of the Race Management – nevertheless, they won the FIA GT1 World Champion Title with a lead of one point.

The sister car with Thomas Jäger (GER) and Nicky Pastorelli (ITA) both ended the Championship Race and the Qualifying Race on the sixth position. In the driver ranking, the German-Italian driver duo also come sixth.

Markus Winkelhock, driver ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport: “In the direct fight with Yelmer Buurman we accidentally collided, which produced the accident. For me and my team colleagues, it is of major importance that Yelmer is fine, considering the circumstances. We all wish him a soon recovery.”

Marc Basseng, driver and Team Manager ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport: “I am really pleased about winning the driver and the team title. We have shown a very constant team performance during the entire season. It is a pity how the decision came up today. I am very glad that Yelmer Buurman is about to recover and I want to wish him well in the name of the entire team.”

Victory for Black Falcon with Schneider / Bleekemolen in the VLN

The penultimate race of the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring, the ROWE 250 Miles Race, was accompanied by sunny late summer weather. Bernd Schneider (GER) and Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED) managed to win in the SLS AMG GT3 of the AMG Customer Team Black Falcon. For AMG brand ambassador Bernd Schneider, who started for Black Falcon as part of the AMG Driver Support, this victory was a special one: “The first position here on the Nürburgring is something exceptional for me, as it is my first victory ever with the SLS AMG GT3. In addition, I am very happy to have achieved my second overall win in the VLN after 1990! I want to thank the entire Black Falcon Team.”

The AMG Customer Team ROWE RACING with Marko Hartung, Nico Bastian (both GER) and Mark Bullit (USA) came home third. Consequently, two out of three race edition gullwing cars in starting positions have reached podium positions in the Eifel. The sister car of ROWE RACING with Roland Rehfeld, Jan Seyffarth, Maro Engel (all GER) had to end the race ahead of time due to an accident which was not self-inflicted. Maro Engel, who started for the first time for ROWE RACING in the VLN as part of the AMG Driver Support, could unfortunately not build up on the successful last race weekend of the Australian GT Championship. One week ago, the AMG brand ambassador won positions one and two in the SLS AMG GT3 of Erebus Racing.

Uli Fritz, Head of AMG Customer Sports: “Six titles in one week, the victory in the World and the European Championship as well as the ADAC GT Masters – the situation could hardly be better for AMG Customer Teams. The victory for Black Falcon in the ninth VLN race with Bernd Schneider and Jeroen Bleekemolen as drivers also shows the competitiveness of our race gullwing car.”

* Official photos and details courtesy of Mercedes-AMG GmbH *

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Four SLS AMG GT3 in start positions at the endurance classic: 24 Hours of Spa - Bernd Schneider supports customer team Preci-Spark

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Three AMG Customer Sports Teams take part in the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium). The race teams Black Falcon, KRK Racing and Preci-Spark will enter four SLS AMG GT3 for the endurance classic on the 28th and 29th of July. At the same time, AMG brand ambassador Bernd Schneider will support the customer sports team Preci-Spark of the ProAm category: The five-time DTM champion will share the cockpit of the gullwing car with the British brothers David and Godfrey Jones.

Three AMG customer sports teams confidently enter the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 for the race which is the season’s highlight of the Blancpain Endurance Series. The British race team Preci-Spark announces the participation of a first class driver: AMG from Affalterbach supports the British team with its brand ambassador Bernd Schneider. The five-time DTM champion, ITC overall winner of 1995 and FIA GT world champion of 1997 will drive a gullwing car together with the team founders and twins David and Godfrey Jones (both 59 years of age) as well as Mike Jordan (54 years of age), also British.

Ola Källenius, managing director of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “We are very pleased about Bernd Schneider’s supporting the team Preci-Spark in the classic 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, above all, because David and Godfrey Jones were the first customers who received a SLS AMG GT3. We wish them lots of success in the Ardennes.”

Bernd Schneider: “I am very pleased about cooperating with the British team Preci-Spark. Firstly, because I will be facing the competition in this year’s 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps only for the third time after 1988 and 1989, and secondly, because I am the youngster of the team with 48 years of age!”

KRK Racing, Black Falcon and Preci-Spark faced the competition

The Belgian race team KRK Racing enters a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 for the race in their home country, with Rafael Vanthoor as their driver. The Limburg team intend the Belgians Anthony Kumpen and Koen Wauters as well as Dennis Retera (NED) to be the partners of the team leader.

Black Falcon from the Eifel even brings two gullwing cars to the Belgian Ardennes. In one Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED), Bret Curtis (USA) and Steve Jans (LUX) share the cockpit. The car with race number 18 will also be supported by “Franky” Congfu Cheng (CN), the former Chinese Mercedes-Benz DTM and A1 GP driver. Race number 19 is piloted by a German-British quartet of drivers: Oliver Morley (GB), Manuel Metzger and Stephan Rösler share the cockpit with Kenneth Heyer (all GER), who won the third position in the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps of 2011.

All three AMG Customer Sports Teams take start positions in the 24 Hours in Spa-Francorchamps in the Pro/Am Cup: In this event, professionals and amateur racers share the cockpit.

Exceptional natural race track with a long tradition

Besides the Nürburgring-Nordschleife („north loop“), the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is considered the most beautiful and challenging natural race track in the world. The original triangular course was made up by 14.8 kilometres of public highway between the municipalities of Spa, Malmedy and Stavelot. Already in the 1930s, Rudolf Caracciola and Hermann Lang won in the Belgian Grand Prix on this track in Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows of the W 25 and W 154 generations.

Since 1979, the pilots face their competitors on a shortened version of the track, which is currently 7.0 kilometres long. The traditional course in the Belgian Ardennes is among the favourite tracks of many drivers, for example, MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS driver Michael Schumacher. Turns like Eau Rouge, Blanchimont or La Source have a legendary reputation.

The 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps are considered one of the classics in the international endurance race calendar. They were first held in 1924 – one year prior to the first Belgian Grand Prix. Just as Formula 1, the touring cars and GT race cars experienced a change in course towards modernity in 1979. For this year’s 24-hour race, almost 70 cars are stated according to the FIA GT3 regulations.

In this year, the classic is part of the Blancpain Endurance Series as fourth race of the season. In view of the marathon distance and the meaningful history of the race, it is logic that this race is of particular importance. Two times the number of championship points, compared to the other races of the Blancpain Endurance Series, are given for the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. The following mode is applied: According to the positions after six and twelve hours, the organizers each give away a third of the Spa points, which makes up exactly the same number as in any ordinary race of the season. The second half of the points, which is also equal to the full score of a „normal“ race, is given away according to the final result.

The event begins with training sessions on Thursday, 26th July 2012. The start of the 24-hour race takes place on Saturday, 28th July at 4 o’ clock in the afternoon.

Review: top-three finish for AMG Customer Team Black Falcon in 2011

One year ago, the first race of the SLS AMG GT3 at the Belgian endurance classic ended with a top-three finish. With the top-three position of race number 35 of Black Falcon, AMG successfully rounded off a special anniversary: It was exactly 40 years ago that Hans Heyer, father of Kenneth Heyer, had surprisingly made the class victory and the second overall position in the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in the first and highly respected race of the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG. In remembrance of this success, the SLS AMG GT3 of Black Falcon started with the same red layout as well as the same race number.

In the race two times around the clock, Black Falcon with Kenneth Heyer / Thomas Jäger / Stéphane Lémeret gained the third position. The sister car with Andrii Lebed / Bret Curtis / Peter van der Kolk / Jeroen van der Heuve finished twelfth. The English twins David and Godfrey Jones also put emphasis on the potential of the gullwing car. The twins, at that time 58 years of age, finished seventh together with their “junior” partner Mike Jordan, 53 years of age.

The KRK-Racing Team Holland with Rafael Vanthoor / Marius Ritkes / Bernhard van Oranje / Dennis Retera had to start from the end of the field after a training accident and crossed the finish line 16th with the gullwing car. After the twelfth rank in the qualifying, the car of the team with Mike Hezemans / Anthony Kumpen / Koen Wauters, which had been faster until that time, had to end the race after an accident. Both of the vehicles of Graff Racing, which had entered the race from start positions nine and 18, retired from the race after round 364 and 367.

More information about the race: www.total24hours.com .

* Official photos and details courtesy of Mercedes-AMG GmbH *

Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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A successful racing weekend for AMG Customer Sports: Five victories for SLS AMG GT3

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A motorsport weekend can hardly be any more successful: AMG Customer Sports teams achieved a total of five victories in four different racing series, including two 1-2s. With this weekend’s achievements, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 once again underlines its competitiveness. In the 2012 motorsport season, the gullwing from Affalterbach, which is racing in over 15 series on four continents all over the world, has already claimed 23 victories.

FIA GT1 World Championship: The fifth round of the FIA GT1 World Championship in Portimão (Portugal) ended with victory in the qualifying race and a 1-2 in the championship race for ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport. Marc Basseng (GER) and Markus Winkelhock (GER) got off to a good start at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve by winning the qualifying race on Saturday, the gullwing’s maiden victory in the current FIA GT1 World Championship. Driving the sister car, Nicky Pastorelli (ITA) and Thomas Jäger (GER) still scored one point for finishing sixth and also claimed a good starting grid position for the main race on Sunday.

“The car was really good. It was very consistent and the guys in the pit box have done a great job, too”, said Marc Basseng. “We have a great engine with a lot of torque, but still, doing well against the strong opposition is never easy.”

In Sunday’s championship race, it even went better for the team’s two cars, but this time, it was the other way round, because Nicky Pastorelli and Thomas Jäger came out on top to win the race. An impressive opening phase and a perfect pit stop strategy were the basis for success. Marc Basseng and Markus Winkelhock completed the result, coming home second to claim the maiden 1-2 for the gullwing in the world championship. With this result, AMG Customer Team ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport further extends its dominant lead in the teams’ classification.

Thomas Jäger: “That was a great weekend. Our strategy of attacking in the early stages and then using the SLS AMG GT3’s consistently good performance to move up further worked out perfectly today. Thanks to everybody in the team.”

FIA GT3 European Championship: The fourth round of the FIA GT3 European Championship, also at Portimão, started off with an impressive 1-2 by the HEICO GRAVITY CHAROUZ TEAM on Saturday. German-Austrian pairing Maximilian Buhk (GER) and Dominik Baumann (AUT) already scored the third win of the season to further increase the lead in the championship standings. Driving the SLS AMG GT3 with starting number 1, Buhk / Baumann scored an undisputed lights-to-flag victory in the race on Saturday. Prior to the pit stop, Buhk had already established a considerable advantage, so that Baumann could get out onto the track with a nine seconds’ margin after the driver change. Until the end of the race, Baumann defended his leading position in a dominant way.

“Holding on to my position was surprisingly easy”, said race winner Dominik Baumann. “Our car was incredibly strong, the set-up was optimal. All in all, it was a perfect Saturday. The German-Czech team’s sister car with Max Nilsson (SWE) and Mika Vähämäki (FIN) completed the success by coming home second to secure the team’s lock-out of the first two positions.”

In the second race on Sunday, problems during the pit stop (starting number 1) and a puncture (starting number 2) prevented a repeat of the success, so that Nilsson / Vähämäki eventually came home in fifth place and Baumann / Buhk finished ninth.

VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring: After the four hours’ duration of the race, only 0.338 seconds decided the outcome in the fifth VLN season round in favour of Jan Seyffarth (GER) and Alexander Roloff (GER). The first season win in the Endurance Championship Nürburgring for AMG Customer Team ROWE RACING also marked the first VLN race win by a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 in 2012.

ROWE RACING’s success was preceded by a race on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife that was entertaining until the end: at the start, Jan Seyffarth moved up from fourth place to take the lead. After the driver change, Alexander Roloff initially defended the lead. Three quarters into the race, however, the gullwing lost one position, but after a little over half an hour, a clever pit stop strategy allowed the car to get back into the lead and then drive victory home with a small margin. ROWE RACING’s sister car with Michael Zehe (GER) and Marko Hartung (GER), who had to start from the pits following an accident in qualifying and also were given a one minute time penalty, ended up fifth in the 144 car field following an impressive recovery.

Campeonato de Portugal de Circuitos (Iberian GT championship): Together with the FIA GT1 World Championship and the FIA GT3 European Championship, the Portimão circuit in Portugal, among others, also hosted a round of the Iberian GT championship this weekend. Here, Sports & You, yet another AMG Customer Team was victorious. Portuguese duo José Pedro Fontes and Miguel Barbosa claimed an undisputed victory in the first race and ended up fourth in the second race to complete this racing weekend’s impressive track record for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3.

* Official photos and details courtesy of Mercedes-AMG GmbH *

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