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Mercedes-Benz and AMG at the Cannes Film Festival: Golden fleet for the 65th Palme d'Or

By | Published Sunday, 27 May 2012

Star quality befitting the anniversary of the Cannes International Film Festival: to celebrate the awarding of the 65th Palme d'Or (Golden Palm), Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG are providing a fleet of shuttle vehicles in gold. Mercedes-Benz and its performance-brand AMG will also be creating a unique automotive experience by supplying other shuttle services, showcasing vehicles and offering exclusive test drives to guests and visitors to this year’s film festival from 16 to 27 May 2012.

As a tribute to the 65th anniversary of the Palme d'Or, the golden Mercedes-Benz fleet will be driving through Cannes offering VIP guests of the film festival an outstanding shuttle service. A very special star will also be shining at the legendary Cinema Against AIDS Gala being organised by the amfAR foundation at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on 24 May: a gold Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG "45th Anniversary". The iconic SL sports car celebrates its 60th birthday this year, while the AMG performance brand turns 45. Mercedes-Benz is co-sponsor of this top-class gala, which is one of the most prestigious events held during the film festival. Shuttle vehicles provided by Mercedes-Benz will ensure attendees make a spectacular entrance when they arrive on the red carpet.

High-performance AMG brand offering individual test drives

AMG, the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz, is sponsoring the legendary "Le Club by Albane" at the J.W. Marriott hotel and the “IWC Filmmakers Dinner” at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on 21 May 2012. For both events, the brand will be providing an exclusive shuttle service featuring various vehicles to ferry guests to the red carpet. The new Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG "45th Anniversary" will likewise be on show at the “IWC Filmmakers Dinner”.

Every day throughout the festival, Mercedes-AMG invites guests and visitors to experience true "Driving Performance" on individual test drives along the French Riviera in various current AMG models. Interested parties are welcome to register for a test drive between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily at the AMG desk in the lobby of the Hotel InterContinental Carlton Cannes from 16 to 27 May 2012. Throughout the festival, a Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG will be on display outside the hotel – in keeping with the festival, the vehicle will be staged on a film set.


















Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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AMG Customer Sports in the 24 Hours Nürburgring: Third place for the SLS AMG GT3

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After 24 hours and 155 driven laps the AMG customer sports teams crossed the finish line with three of the six entered SLS AMG GT3. The gullwing car with race number 66 of the Hankook Team HEICO Motorsport, which finished the race with the highest position and was driven by Lance David Arnold (GER), Christiaan Frankenhout (NL), Pierre Kaffer (GER) und Andreas Simonsen (S) ended the endurance race in the third overall position after a commanding finish. The sister car with race number 65, which was driven by double starter Lance David Arnold (GER), Kenneth Heyer (GER), Alexandros Margaritis (GER) and Bernd Schneider (GER), had to end the race in the 152nd lap in the third position approximately 15 minutes prior to the end of the race because of an engine cooling circuit failure.

The SLS AMG GT3 of ROWE RACING with race number 21 which was driven by Mark Bullitt (USA), Marko Hartung (GER), Roland Rehfeld (GER) and Michael Zehe (GER) finished tenth. The sister car with race number 22 and Klaus Graf (GER), Thomas Jäger (GER), Alexander Roloff (GER) and Jan Seyffarth (GER) as drivers had to end the race on Sunday morning while being in the front position because of problems with the right wheel suspension at the rear.

The Team Black Falcon came 14th with race number 16, which was driven by Christian Bracke (GER), Andrii Lebed (UA), Hannes Plesse (GER) and Reinhold Renger (GER). The sister car with race number 15, which was driven by Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Sean Edwards (GB), Manuel Metzger (GER) and Ralf Schall (GER) started in the third position and had to end the race already towards the end of the fourth lap at Döttinger Höhe because of a tyre failure.

In the commanding race with only slight discrepancies between the leading cars in the GT3 category, numerous changes in the lead took place. The SLS AMG GT3s with race numbers 65 and 66 of the Hankook Team HEICO Motorsport as well as number 22 of ROWE RACING were able to quickly establish themselves among the front runners and all of them took over the lead at different times of the race.

Ola Källenius, chairman of the board, Mercedes-AMG GmbH: „We are proud of all three of the customer teams which took part in the 24 Hours Nürburgring with the SLS AMG GT3. Congratulations to the entire Hankook Team HEICO Motorsport for finishing third.“

Uli Fritz, head of AMG customer sports: „With the third place for the customer team Hankook Team HEICO Motorsport we finished with respectable results with our AMG customer sports programme compared with numerous teams which are supported by their company. Due to various problems, we were unfortunately not able to cross the finish line with three cars, which had proved competitive in the qualifying as well as the race.“

Pierre Kaffer, Hankook Team HEICO Motorsport, race number 66: „We are happy that our strategy to put our direct competitor under pressure towards the end of the race was successful, so that it was possible for us to finish among the top three. However, it is a pity that our sister car had to end the race 15 minutes prior to time. I want to thank my team colleagues and the Hankook Team HEICO Motorsport for the perfectly prepared car.“

Norbert Brückner, team manager Hankook Team HEICO Motorsport: „It was a narrow and commanding 24 hours race. We are satisfied with the third place – however, it is clearly very disappointing that our sister car had to end the race only 15 minutes prior to end. I want to thank all members of the Hankook Team HEICO Motorsport.“

Thomas Jäger, ROWE RACING, race number 22: „We are obviously disappointed by the fact that being in the front position, we had to abandon our chances to win prior to the end of the race because of technical difficulties with the rear wheel suspension. Until 10 o'clock today, our SLS AMG GT3 ran without any problems. Especially when it rained on early Sunday morning the gullwing car with the Dunlop rain tyres ran fantastically. My team colleague Klaus Graf drove by far the fastest laps in the field. After the race is before the race and that is why I am already looking forward to the 24 Hours next year. I want to thank the entire team of ROWE RACING. Congratulations to the Hankook Team HEICO Motorsport for the third overall position.“

Anniversary edition: Fortieth jubilee of the famous endurance race

For many motorsports fans, the 24 Hours Nürburgring is the annual highlight in the motorsports season. 235,000 spectators came to watch the famous endurance race in the Eifel, which was held for the fortieth time in 2012. The anniversary edition of the race which is 24 hours long was held at the 25 kilometres long combination of the Nürburgring Nordschleife ("north loop") and the Grand Prix track. 169 cars and 650 drivers from 34 nations faced the competition, while 31 cars were entered in start positions in the most efficient and popular GT3 category.

Six Instructors of the AMG Driving Academy employed in the race

The six instructors of the AMG Driving Academy supporting the SLS AMG GT3 customer teams in the 24 Hours Nürburgring were Lance David Arnold, Thomas Jäger, Roland Rehfeld, Reinhold Renger, Bernd Schneider and Jan Seyffarth. Chief instructor Reinhold Renger is responsible for the entire programme and the specific course of instruction. It is part of the AMG Driving Academy's philosophy that the participants profit from the knowhow of the professional drivers – this is perfectly implemented in the MASTERS SLS AMG GT3.

MASTERS SLS AMG GT3: The highest level in the AMG Driving Academy programme deploys the racing version of the gullwing model as a training vehicle. With Bernd Schneider and Thomas Jäger as competent partners, the instructors, which were also responsible for all development and test drives of the SLS AMG GT3, are employed in the race. The AMG Driving Academy participants benefit from the modular design of the MASTERS SLS AMG GT3: four complementary stages guide the aspiring racing drivers to the finishing line – EXPERIENCE, WARM-UP, TRAINING and COMPETITION. Participants can take part in all MASTERS events in their own SLS AMG GT3 vehicles or in corresponding cars provided by AMG.

British GT Championship as framework programme at the Nürburgring

The third and fourth of the British GT Championship took place on May 18th and 19th of 2012 as framework programme of the 24 Hours Nürburgring. Both of the races were 60 minutes long and were held at the Grand Prix track of the Nürburgring. The British AMG customer sports team Preci-Spark with the twins David und Godfrey Jones as drivers of the SLS AMG GT3 with race number 22 finished sixth and tenth.













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

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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New driving safety training courses from Mercedes-Benz and AMG: Helping to ensure a safe, confident and enjoyable driving experience

By | Published Saturday, 26 May 2012

Mercedes-Benz is starting the 2012/2013 season with a new wide-ranging programme of driving safety training events designed to appeal to all types of drivers. Courses for young people, beginners, advanced and even expert drivers are being offered at 14 locations throughout Germany using vehicles generally provided by Mercedes-Benz – whether saloons, coupés, roadsters or off-road vehicles. The goal of the events is to help drivers to handle their vehicles in a safer and more confident manner, even in emergency situations – and of course to ensure that they enjoy the experience of driving.

One fact confirmed by the accident statistics is that Mercedes drivers are involved in fewer accidents than drivers of cars made by other manufacturers. And this is an area in which the diverse range of driving safety training events offered by Mercedes-Benz can make a contribution. It is all part of the comprehensive safety philosophy of the brand with the star – which in addition comprises accident research and the development of trend-setting assistance and safety systems based on this research and which other automotive brands have also adopted.

Taking place at 14 on and off-road locations throughout Germany, the driving safety training events enable participants to learn how to be more aware of typical danger situations and to practise appropriate responses. By providing courses almost nationwide and at reasonable prices – the half-day basic compact training event for 18 to 25-year olds, for example, costs just 95 euros – Mercedes-Benz is aiming at as many car drivers as possible. Ultimately all road users are able to benefit from the confident car control practised during the training, not just Mercedes drivers. Any accident is one accident too many.

The target group for the various courses is correspondingly diverse, ranging from learner drivers to experienced professionals, and from sales training to events for professional drivers and chauffeurs. The sole requirement is that the driver must hold a class 3/class B driver's licence.
According to Wolfgang Müller, Chief Instructor for Mercedes-Benz Driving Events: "We offer training events to meet a variety of different interests, so for example not only classic driving safety training sessions which can be aimed specifically at young drivers who are still a bit inexperienced, but also pure sports driving training events for highly motivated drivers." The sports driving training sessions are not just geared towards fun but also towards driving safety. Anyone who is able to control a vehicle at its limits is more composed and considered in situations of danger. Another highlight is that the participants take part in the training using vehicles provided by Mercedes-Benz. This enables exercises to be incorporated which are considerably more dynamic. In addition, the instructors also have the opportunity to demonstrate how effective modern assistance systems can be – as a safety pioneer, Mercedes-Benz provides technologies in this area which are simply not available, or not yet available, in other vehicles. Almost the entire Mercedes-Benz model range is available for the training events.

In addition to extensive driving skills and experience, all of the instructors have the distinct ability to convey the various interconnected driving physics principles in such an easy-to-understand manner that the participants are able to apply them in practice in their everyday driving.

There are on and off-road events designed to take place both in the summer and the winter. The most important events include:

- Basic compact training: on this half-day course, participants find out how an accident can be prevented effectively. Exercises include full brake application combined with an evasive manoeuvre, and a slalom course. Compact training is also available as a reasonably-priced special training event for 18 to 25-year-olds.

- Basic training: as part of this one-day event, the participants learn how dangerous situations can be dealt with safely and confidently with support from active control systems. The demanding programme of lessons includes taking evasive action without braking from 80 km/h, emergency braking and correcting skidding vehicles.

- Advanced training: this extension course provides additional solutions for dealing with hazardous situations at higher speeds – such as emergency braking at 100 km/h or controlling a rear-end skid on a wet bend.

- Enhanced training: here exercises are conducted at high speeds. For example, participants learn how to keep their vehicle under control during an emergency lane change manoeuvre at motorway speeds of 130 km/h. In addition, challenging drift exercises on famous race tracks are also on the agenda.

- Sports training: with this new training event, racing enthusiasts enjoy the unique opportunity to experience driving from the perspective of a racing driver. For example, they learn how to find the ideal line and optimum braking point.

- Eco training: during this half-day event, attendees take part in simple practical and theoretical exercises to learn how to reduce fuel consumption by handling their car more efficiently. On average, those who complete the eco training course subsequently use 15 percent less fuel.

- Professional basic training: this event enables professional drivers to enhance their driving skills. For example, the programme includes performing an evasive manoeuvre at 100 km/h in a predefined direction through a set of traffic lights, emergency braking scenarios and correcting a tail-skidding vehicle at motorway speed, for example. Driving practice is complemented by theoretical exercises tailored to the specific profession with trainers who also instruct police taskforces.

- Mercedes-Benz Fascination Tour: this is a new addition to the range of Mercedes-Benz driving events. This one-day driving experience in vehicles provided by Mercedes-Benz features highlights focusing on the history and present status of the brand in Stuttgart and the surrounding area.

- Mercedes-Benz Fascination Experience: this event immerses participants in the world of Mercedes-Benz for two full days. A visit to the wind tunnel and test track at the plant in Untertürkheim is followed by a voyage of discovery around the Mercedes-Benz Museum and an evening meal together. On the second day, it is on to the training circuit with the opportunity to put the current model range through its paces in slaloming, braking and evasive manoeuvres.

- Off-road events: at a variety of off-road driving training events participants are able to discover what an off-road vehicle is capable of and how to keep such a vehicle under control both on and off the road. In addition to basic training, additional stages are available such as advanced training, enhanced training and extreme training. New additions include a range of winter off-road training events. In the spacious stone quarry outside Kitzbühel, participants are able to get to grips with difficult terrain at half or full-day training events using G, GL, GLK and M-Class vehicles.

- Travel Experience: discovering the world with Mercedes – this is what the participants in the Travel Experience event can expect to enjoy. There are trips to Abu Dhabi, for example, with its endless dune-covered landscape and perfect sandy beaches offering relaxation. Other trips of a lifetime include experiencing Spain from a different perspective or enjoying an off-road adventure in the wintry Arctic Circle. A particular highlight is the "Journey to the Roof of the World": lasting some 47 days, it takes participants from Lodz in Poland all the way to India, travelling via Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan.

- Enhanced Experience Sweden: a winter adventure without compromise comprising four days in Sweden, 22 hours on a frozen lake located 150 km south of the Arctic Circle, individual coaching sessions, a rally competition and much more.

Additional information on the training events is available from the following sources:

- On-road events: www.mercedes-benz.de/driving-events - hotline: +49 (0)89 950 60 51; Off-road events: www.offroad.mercedes-benz.de - hotline: +49 (0)7732 970147
- To order a catalogue for 2012/2013 (German/English), please send an email to: info@mercedes-benz.driving-events.de
- The RoadSense road safety awareness programme: a chance for 13-year-olds to get behind the wheel

The aim of the RoadSense road safety awareness initiative is to minimise the risks to which young road users are prone. As part of the RoadSense road safety awareness initiative developed by the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy, Year 8 pupils are allowed to get behind the wheel of a car under professional supervision and on handling circuits away from traffic. The 13 to 15-year-old students are not taught how to drive – it is about experiencing what it is like behind the wheel. The main emphasis is on typical conflict situations that may be encountered as a passenger and learning how to deal with these responsibly.

All types of schools can register with the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for their Year 8 classes to take part in the RoadSense road safety awareness programme. Further information is available from Mercedes-Benz by emailing roadsense-stuttgart@daimler.com , or online from www.mbdrivingacademy.com.

AMG Driving Academy: from the first experience of driving at the limit to intensive race circuit training

The AMG Driving Academy also provides a wide-ranging programme of events which not only meet the most diverse requirements but also represent the very embodiment of pure excitement. Events on offer include enjoyment-oriented EMOTION tours, special winter driving training sessions in Swedish Lapland and exciting events on legendary racing circuits such as the North Loop of the Nürburgring, the Hockenheimring or Zandvoort. A particular highlight is the MASTERS programme, at which participants are able to drive the SLS AMG GT3, the racing version of the gullwing model. A typical element of all AMG Driving Academy events is the unique, passionate performance experience which the participants are able to enjoy first hand in line with the AMG brand claim of "driving performance". 

As a world first and a unique offering not available from other providers, the AMG Driving Academy, which was established in 2007, is also able to offer climate-neutral dynamic driving events – thus proving that driving pleasure and concern for the environment can be combined perfectly.

The new programme from the AMG Driving Academy comprises professionally designed training measures which will enable ambitious sports car enthusiasts to improve their individual control of their vehicles and enhance their active driving safety. All events staged by the AMG Driving Academy feature advanced training methods which guarantee a swift grounding in the basics of driving dynamics. Acquainting drivers with both their own limitations and their vehicles' limits in a totally safe manner is also on the agenda. Another key focus is on thrilling driving experiences with exciting high-performance vehicles such as the SLS AMG, C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series or SLK 55 AMG.

Erstwhile Formula 1 driver Karl Wendlinger becomes new instructor

Karl Wendlinger (Austria) is a new addition to the team of professional instructors. From 1990 to 1991 the 43-year-old racing driver was a member of the Mercedes junior team competing in the World Sportscar Championship along with Michael Schumacher and Heinz-Harald Frentzen. In 1991 he switched to Formula 1. The AMG Driving Academy's core team also includes DTM driver Susie Wolff, DTM championship record holder Bernd Schneider, and also Bernd Mayländer, the driver of the Official F1™ Safety Car. Racing driver Reinhold Renger remains in the post of chief instructor. In all, the AMG Driving Academy has 30 instructors on its roster.

The AMG Driving Academy is not only active in Europe. Training events have also been held in America since 2009, and in China since 2010 – at the Laguna Seca Raceway (California) or the Shanghai International Circuit, for example. A totally new development is the AMG Driving Academy's involvement in India: a kick-off event took place at the Buddh International Circuit against the backdrop of the Auto Expo in New Delhi in January 2012. Three further BASIC training courses will follow this year. Four BASIC training events and four ADVANCED training events will also be taking place in Italy for the first time this year. Events are also in the pipeline for AMG customers in Japan and Russia.

Details of event dates and other information may be found at www.mercedes-amg.com/driving-academy, or by calling the AMG Driving Academy on +49 (0)7144 302 575.










Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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REPORT: Daimler is not interested in buying Ducati

By | Published Monday, 2 April 2012

As soon as the information on the sale of Ducati came out, speculations of a possible takeover by Daimler emerged. Soon after, we learnt that Audi has reached an agreement with the Italian motorcycle manufacturer to secure the 'first refusal' option. In other words, the Ingolstadt-based carmaker has priority in the acquisition process in case Ducati gets eventually sold.

We discussed this theme and the chances Mercedes-AMG and parent company Daimler have in this business. The consistent marketing partnership between the Affalterbach company and the Italian constructor began back in November 2010, when the partnership was officially announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Up to the moment, a series of joint products have already been released, together with the involvement in advertising and motorsporting activities, through which both entities benefit. 


In a recent interview, a Daimler official denied the Germans are interested in acquiring the biggest stake in Ducati. This news inherently leads us to a logical question: why did Daimler spend an important amount of money on this partnership? The financial situation of Ducati was already known since 2010 and raising visibility for the two brands is a poor argument, we say. There were also intense rumors that Mercedes-AMG plans to unveil its own motorbikes using technical expertise from Ducati as part of a coherent growth plan.


Anyway, this could be a unique chance that might not come in the future and Daimler seems to afford the position of losing it without the blink of an eye. 

Related Articles:

- Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG and Ducati Streetfighter 848: Mercedes-AMG and Ducati highlight cooperation
- Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition celebrates world premiere at the IAA Frankfurt 2011: AMG and Ducati create first joint products
- Gabriele del Torchio takes delivery of new company car: Ducati president to drive new CLS 63 AMG
- Mercedes AMG, Cigarette and Ducati Share 'A Penchant for Performance'
- Ducati MotoGP works driver visits Affalterbach: Nicky Hayden takes delivery of a new CLS 63 AMG
- Mercedes-AMG: future plans at a glance
- Cooperation agreement signed with Italian motorcycle manufacturer: AMG to cooperate with Ducati



- ANALYSIS: Ducati is up for sale - Could Mercedes-AMG slip the chance?

Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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AMG Customer Sports Seasonal Outlook 2012: The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 - more than 45 start positions around the globe in 2012

By | Published Sunday, 1 April 2012

Customer Sports Programme of AMG vigourously starts the 2012 season. Altogether, more than 45 SLS AMG GT3s will be entered for more than 15 race series on four continents. The German team ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport will enter two SLS AMG GT3 for the new FIA GT1 World Championship. Six gullwing cars are expected to fight for the overall win in the 24 Hours Nürburgring. Eight SLS AMG GT3s will be entered in the German ADAC GT Masters. The newly-formed French team, which the eight-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb is part of, will participate in the French GT Championship. The cooperation team and defending winner HEICO-GRAVITY CHAROUZ TEAM will face the competition in the FIA GT3 European Championship.

Commanding fights for the lead, top-class drivers and the who's who among sports car brands – this is what national and international race series, in which customer teams enter the SLS AMG GT3 as racing car, have in common. Inspired by 26 race wins in 2011, the 1-2-3 in the Dubai 24-hours race (12th to 14th January 2012) and the second place in the Bathurst 12 Hour Race in Australia (26th February 2012), the gullwing car from Affalterbach has proved that it is a serious rival for competitors. In mid-March, many of the customer teams took advantage of the opportunity to optimally prepare for the season in test drives and setting drives on the race track of Paul Ricard in Le Castellet in Southern France.

Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board, Mercedes-AMG GmbH: "Mercedes-AMG is proud of the fact that the SLS AMG GT3 is given such a positive feedback by customer teams. In the motorsport season of 2012, AMG takes part with a team of three: With the gullwing car in the customer sports programme, the new Mercedes-AMG C-Coupé in the popular DTM and the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS team in Formula 1 we are active all over the world. As AMG celebrates its 45th birthday, the best conditions for an exciting anniversary year are provided!"

Uli Fritz, head of AMG Customer Sports: "We want to thank the teams, which are already with us for the second year, for their confidence in us and we appreciate the new teams in the family of AMG Customer Sports. The fact that more than 45 SLS AMG GT3s are meanwhile taking part in races around the globe does not only show the great performance of the gullwing car but also proves our philosophy of using the SLS AMG GT3 merely for customer sports, not for factory entries."

Thomas Jäger, coordinator of AMG Customer Sports: "The popularity of the SLS AMG GT3 is based on four factors: Performance, reliability, its uncomplex driveability and a good parts supply. We are working hard to continue improving all of those factors in the new 2012 season as well. The gullwing car is also appreciated for its exceptional safety level with the carbon safety cell for the driver, known from the DTM cars."

Eight SLS AMG GT3s in the ADAC GT Masters

With the first ADAC GT Masters held in 2007, the racing series has meanwhile become very popular. Not only is the number of 44 inscripted sports cars from 13 brands impressing, but also the fact that eight SLS AMG GT3s will be fighting for the title in 2012. HEICO Motorsport will enter four cars (Alex Margaritis / Lance David Arnold, Kenneth Heyer / Christiaan Frankenhout, Harald Proczyk / Dominik Baumann and Andreas Simonsen / Maximilian Buhk). Thus HEICO Motorsport has the former Mercedes-Benz DTM driver Alex Margaritis, who is the current champion of the GT Masters, among their drivers.

In a cooperation, the teams HEICO Motorsport and Gravity-Charouz Racing will enter another gullwing car. The drivers for the HEICO-GRAVITY CHAROUZ TEAM will be Erik Janis / Jan Stovicek. MS Racing will enter two SLS AMG GT3s (Maximilian Götz / Sebastian Asch and Daniel Dobitsch / Florian Stoll). Seyffarth Motorsport (Jan Seyffarth / Maximilian Meyer) will enter one car. The ADAC GT Masters begins on 31st March in Oschersleben and comprises 16 races. Per racing weekend, two races are held and the private television station Kabel 1 will show live broadcasts of all races in full length.

VLN on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife with ten races

The Nürburgring VLN endurance championship came into existence more than 30 years ago. The race series is traditionally held on the legendary Nordschleife ("north loop") and the short layout of the Grand Prix track. The teams of Black Falcon, HEICO Motorsport and ROWE RACING will each enter two cars for the VLN. Black Falcon Team Manager Sean Paul Breslin: "We have already known the SLS AMG GT3 since 2010. It is a fast, reliable car with a level of security which is currently unmatched by any other race car. The first of a total of ten VLN races will take place parallelly to the ADAC GT Masters on the 31st of March. About 200 cars are expected.

24h race Nürburgring - highlight of the season

The motorsport scene is awaiting this year's 24h race Nürburgring with much excitement. The event will already take place from 16th to 20st of May and is defined as the highlight of the 2012 season by many German motorsport fans. As in the VLN, the teams of Black Falcon, HEICO Motorsport and ROWE RACING will be facing the traditional Eifel marathon with two cars each. Bernd Schneider (HEICO Motorsport) and Thomas Jäger (ROWE RACING) will be supporting the customer teams as part of the AMG support programme and will actively take part in the race. More than 700 drivers and almost 200 race cars will be entered for the traditional endurance race.

FIA GT1 World Championship with two SLS AMG GT3s

None of the races of the new FIA GT1 World Championship will take place in Germany. However, there are many indicators that the World Championship will be offering exciting motorsport: Each car brand will have two cars in start positions and nine teams of the international sports car elite confirmed their participation with cars of different manufacturers. Due to the change in regulations from the GT1 to the GT3 category, even an increase in the number of excellent performances can be expected.

The German team ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport will participate with two SLS AMG GT3s. The gullwing cars will be driven by Marc Basseng / Markus Winkelhock and Thomas Jäger / Nicky Pastorelli. As part of the AMG support programme, Thomas Jäger will be supporting the team during the beginning of the season.

Team manager René Münnich: "We want to win the World Championship this year. We fought for the drivers' and the team title for a long time in 2011. The new SLS AMG GT3 is a fast and reliable race car – the conditions for the new season could hardly be better." The FIA GT1 Championship comprises ten races in nine countries, among which you can also find emerging markets such as China, India and Russia. The first race of the season will take place in the French location Nogaro on 8th April 2012 and the final is scheduled for 2nd December 2012 on Buddh International Circuit near New Delhi.

FIA GT3 European Championship with defending winner in start position

The FIA GT1 World Championship and the FIA GT3 European Championship will start at the same time. The first six of a total of 12 races will be held on the same tracks. Every weekend, two races will take place. The defending winner HEICO Motorsport will participate with two SLS AMG GT3s in cooperation with Gravity-Charouz Racing here as well. The cockpits of the HEICO-GRAVITY CHAROUZ TEAM will be shared by Dominik Baumann / Maxi-milian Bukh as well as Max Nilsson / Mika Vähämäki.

The team of the eight-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb forms a new part of the 2012 season. Sébastien Loeb Racing will face the competition in the French GT Championship with one gullwing car (Frédéric Gabillon / Gilles Vannelet).

Blancpain Endurance Championship with four teams from four countries

Four teams from four countries will participate in the Blancpain Endurance Championship: The Belgian team Viage KRK-Racing will enter two gullwing cars driven by the teams Karl Wendlinger / Anthony Kumpen / Koen Wauters und Raf Vanthoor / Dennis Retera / Marius Ritskes. Black Falcon will also enter two gullwing cars. As in 2011, the British team Preci-Spark with the twins David Jones, Godfrey Jones and Mike Jordan will also participate in the Championship. Premium Motorsports Poland will participate for the first time with one car.

In face of the Blancpain Endurance Championship's starting field with 50 cars, it will definitely be an event with commiting motorsport. The first race will take place in Monza, Italy on 15th April 2012. The highlight of the season will be the 24-hour race of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on 28th July 2012. An endurance race from the Blancpain race series is also scheduled for Germany: The penultimate race out of a total of six races will be held on the Nürburgring on 23rd September.

From Malaysia to Brazil and as far as Australia

Besides the big Championships, which are mainly held on European tracks, customer teams will also be driving the SLS AMG GT3 on the continents of Asia, South America and Australia as well as in smaller national race series.

- Malaysian Super GT International Series: Petronas Syntium Team

- Brazilian GT Championship: AMattheis Motorsport, BVA Racing

- Australian GT Championship: Erebus Racing

- Spanish and Portugese GT Championship: Sports & You

- British GT Championship: Preci-Spark, Eurotech Racing

- French GT Championship: Graff Racing

- Austrian GT Series and Touring Car Series: Lechner Racing

- Super Touring Car Trophy: Land Motorsport

- DMV-TCC: ANTeam

- Italian Endurance Race Championship ECC: G-Private Racing 

AMG Driving Academy: SLS AMG GT3 driving for sports car enthusiasts

The AMG Driving Academy paves the way for sports car enthusiasts who want to drive the SLS AMG GT3 and offers race track training adjusted for the individual person. The participants of MASTERS SLS AMG GT3 profit from the modular concept with four levels adjusted with one another: EXPERIENCE, WARM-UP, TRAINING and COMPETITION. The participation in all MASTERS events is possible with a provided or one's own SLS AMG GT3. Among others, AMG brand ambassadors like Bernd Schneider, Karl Wendlinger and Thomas Jäger, Coordinator of AMG Customer Sports, will be functioning as personal instructors providing moral and practical support. The MASTERS programme of the AMG Driving Academy is directed to private customers as well as to hobby race car drivers and customer teams.
Credits: Mercedes-AMG GmbH

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