Mercedes Benz SLS AMG GT3 Competing in 15 Race Series Around the World

Mercedes debuted the SLS AMG GT3 in 2010, but it began racing in 2011. This season AMG will have more than 45 cars entered in more than 15 racing series around the world including two in FIA GT1, six in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, eight in ADAC GT Masters and cars in the French GT Championship and FIA GT3. Mercedes held a testing session for teams using the car at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France in March. 

The SLS GT3 managed 26 wins in 2011 including a 1-2-3 finish at the 24 Hours of Dubai, a second place at the 12 Hours of Bathurst. 

The SLS GT3 will take place in several prestigious races this year. It will compete in all 10 races of the Nürburgring VLN series including the 24 hour race there. The Nürburgring is expecting 200 cars for its biggest race this year and over 700 drivers. 

EIght-time WRC Champion Sebastien Loeb is starting his own racing team this season. He will enter one SLS GT3 in the French GT Championship with Frédéric Gabillon and Gilles Vannelet as drivers. 

AMG also offers a turn-key racing series with the SLS GT3 called the AMG Driving Academy where after paying a fee, drivers show up with a team assigned to them who prep the car and give driving advice. Drivers like Bernd Schneider are there to provide instruction to the drivers. 

AMG has also sold cars to teams in smaller GT series in South America, Asia and Australia. There will also be SLS GT3 cars competing in the Austrian, British and Spanish and Portuguese GT Championships. 

"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," said Coordinator of AMG Customer Sports Thomas Jäger. 

The SLS GT3 is powered by the same 6.3l V8 as the road car, but specifications vary from one series to another. For instance, it is rated at 556ps with 1350kg of weight in the VLN series.