The development and test programme for the SLS AMG GT3 is running according to schedule. Bernd Schneider, Mercedes-Benz works driver for many years and DTM record champion, is completing the main part of the tests which started in June. The first race participation as part of the test programme is planned for the VLN round end of September at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Mercedes-Benz motor sport chief Norbert Haug: “With the Mercedes SLS AMG GT3, a new area in the field of motor sports services for Mercedes-Benz customers is about to start. This car is a fascinating and spectacular sports car for committed private teams and talented private drivers. Together with our experienced partner for Sports and Touring Cars HWA, AMG will develop a motor sport customers department and guarantee its motor sport customers the continuation of its excellent service which Mercedes is so well known for.”
“I am really happy”, adds Norbert Haug, “that there is such a big demand for this new and unique racing car – we have received much more orders for cars than we will be able to deliver in the first instance. However, nobody needs to worry, the production curve will quickly rise by the time in order to successively fulfil all the serious requests about the SLS AMG GT3 race car.”
The new racing version of the SLS AMG is developed and produced in close cooperation with HWA AG. HWA is responsible for the development and the participation of the AMG Mercedes DTM Teams on behalf of and in permanent co-ordination with Mercedes-Benz Motorsport.
Interested racing teams may compete with the new SLS AMG GT3 at all racing series in accordance with the FIA GT3 Regulations, for example in the VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring and in the 24 Hour Race at the Nürburgring.
The development of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 is running according to schedule; the test programme was launched in June 2010 at the Eurospeedway Lausitz. Under contract is the long years Mercedes-Benz works driver and AMG make representative Bernd Schneider, 46, as well as Thomas Jäger, 33. With five titles in DTM and one in the ITC and in the FIA GT Championship respectively, Bernd Schneider is considered to be one of the most successful German racing drivers. Thomas Jäger is the current Champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and was DTM driver under contract of Mercedes-Benz between 2000 and 2003. In the current season, he starts in the ADAC GT-Masters (Germany).
For Bernd Schneider, who is supposed to complete the main part of the tests, the development of a basic set-up is the main task. “The SLS AMG has excellent genes to be very successful in motor sport. Right at my very first laps which I completed at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz, I realized that the GT3 version of the gullwing doors racing car provides perfect conditions for the race track. The combination of a perfect weight distribution, low centre of gravity, powerful AMG V8 engine and efficient aerodynamics promises already today an excellent performance of the SLS AMG GT3.”
First race participation at a VLN round at the Nürburgring Nordschleife
In addition to the Eurospeedway Lausitz and the Sachsenring, the SLS AMG GT3 will also be tested at the Nürburgring Nordschleife – and this under true racing conditions. Apart from the pure test and set-up sessions, the gullwing doors racer will also start at some races of the VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft still this year.
In the focus of the comprehensive development and test programme are various suspension set-ups, engine mappings, tyre mixtures and aerodynamic configurations. The complete package must also be tested for reliability and service friendliness. In parallel, the AMG 6.3 litres V8 engine as well as the six gear sequential racing gearbox are checked on the engine test benches of HWA AG. The assembled car is also tested on a driving dynamics test bench.
The SLS AMG GT3 is currently designed in a chrome shine Laureus look – and thus very similar to the design of the AMG Mercedes C class of Ralf Schumacher. The ex formula 1 driver is competing in this year’s DTM season for Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. Laureus, founded in the year 1999 as joint venture of Daimler AG and Richemont, is a universal movement which promotes the use of sports as a tool to gather people for a good purpose: Laureus consists of three columns: the Laureus World Sports Awards – also well-known as the “Oscar of Sports” – the Laureus World Sports Academy and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
Orders for the SLS AMG GT3 are accepted with immediate effect
Interested teams may order the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 right now from Mercedes-AMG GmbH. The price is 334,000 EUR (net)/397,460 EUR (inclusive of 19 % VAT). The car is only supplied with left hand drive. Delivery starts in February 2011 after completion of the homologation in accordance with the GT3 Regulations by the Automobile World Federation FIA. The AMG Driving Academy offers a special SLS AG GT3 driver training for interested customers.
