Erebus Motorsport has dramatically different livery on its pair of SLS AMG GT3 Gullwings for the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.
Gone is the chrome livery that led to Erebus Motorsport being awarded The Most Beautiful Car at the 2011 AMG Customer Sports Awards, in its place is a striking matte black livery combined with chrome and a highlight colour on each of the cars - yellow and purple.
The machine featuring the yellow highlights is a nod to its lead driver - five times DTM Champion, Bernd Schneider, who has traditionally had yellow incorporated into each of his racecar designs. He will be joined by current FIA GT1 World Team Champion, Thomas Jager - who previously raced in Australia on the Gold Coast last October and Alex Roloff - an experienced SLS AMG GT3 racer from the VLN Series that is based on the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
On the car that will be piloted by Erebus Motorsport V8 Supercar drivers Tim Slade and Lee Holdsworth and regular Erebus Australian GT racer, Peter Hackett, a purple highlight has been added to the matte black.
The idea of steering away from the traditional chrome was all about evolving the Erebus Motorsport identity and achieving a technological advantage.
By removing the chrome wrap, we save a significant amount of weight from the car, explained Erebus Motorsports General Manager, Motorsport, Barry Ryan. Under this years regulations we have a lighter minimum weight than we were running at last years Bathurst 12 Hour.
Weve gone all out this year in association with our partners at AMG Customer Sports to try and win the race. It has been a 12 month process leading up to this weekend and the design of the cars has been very much a part of that. We havent walked away from the chrome - it is still there, but we see this as an evolution.
It will be quite a sight to see both the SLS in the early morning light on the Mountain. The design really highlights the unique lines on the SLS AMG GT3 and the seriousness of Erebus Motorsports approach to this years race.
The German pilots of car #36 are all now in Sydney and are resting up prior to transferring to the Mountain on Wednesday. Meantime, Holdsworth, Slade and Hackett will arrive in Australias motorsport mecca on Thursday.
The two Erebus Motorsport cars will be part of a 50-strong entry list for the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, with the Germans being one nationality of 17 being represented - a record number of nations represented at Bathurst.
Erebus Motorsport will host a group of corporate guests from Mercedes-Benz Australia throughout the weekend and with the high profile German pilots joining the squad, the eyes of the world will no doubt be on the Australian team.
Practice for the 2013 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour begins on Friday morning, with a two-part Qualifying session on Saturday and the once around the clock race beginning at a new time of 7am on Sunday morning.
EREBUS MOTORSPORT LIQUI-MOLY BATHURST 12 HOUR STATISTICS PACKAGE:
Car #36 Notes:Bernd Schneider
5 times DTM Champion (1995, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006)
FIA GT Champion (1997)
Former Formula 1 driver
First German World Karting Champion
Dubai 24 Hour winner (2013)
Winner of final round, Australian GT Championship (2012)
Thomas Jger
FIA GT1 World Team Champion (2012)
Dubai 24 Hour winner (2012)
Porsche Carrera Cup Germany Champion (2009)
MINI Challenge Germany Champion (2006)
Alexander Roloff
2 round wins in VLN Endurance Series (2012)
VLN Series Round 6 winner (2011)
Porsche Carrera Cup Germany (2004-2006)
Renault Clio Cup (2002-2003)
Former competitor World & European Karting Championships
Car #63 Notes:
Tim Slade
5th in 2012 V8 Supercar Championship (2012)
2nd Bathurst 12 Hour (2012)
1 V8 Supercar Pole Position
6 V8 Supercar Podium Finishes
Lee Holdsworth
8th in 2012 V8 Supercar Championship (2012)
2 V8 Supercar Race Wins
4 V8 Supercar Pole Positions
12 V8 Supercar Podium Finishes
Bathurst 12 Hour debut
Peter Hackett
2nd Australian GT Championship (2012)
2nd Bathurst 12 Hour (2012)
3 Australian GT Championship wins (2012)
9 Australian GT Podium Finishes (2012)
2001 Australian Formula 3 Champion
TIMETABLE:
All times Sydney/Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time
Friday, February 8, 2013Practice 1: 0745-0835 (90 minutes)Practice 2: 1100-1150 (90 minutes)Practice 3: 1430-1520 (50 minutes)
Saturday, February 9, 2013Qualifying 1: 0745-0915 (90 minutes)Qualifying 2: 1340-1410 (30 minutes)
Sunday, February 10, 2013Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour: 0700-1900 (12 Hours)
Ticketing:Discount tickets available via www.ticketek.com.au or at the gate.
EVENT COVERAGE:
Live webcast (including commentary from Radio Le Mans) at http://www.speedcafe.com/bathurst-12-hour/
At circuit - 87.8FM
Post produced coverage - 12pm, February 17, SBS with replays on SPEED TV Australia (Check Local Guides)
ABOUT EREBUS MOTORSPORT:
AMG CUSTOMER SPORTS SLS AMG GT3 GULLWING:The SLS AMG GT3 Gullwing has captivated the motor racing public since its worldwide debut at the New York Motor Show in 2010.The note that emanates from the 6.3 Litre AMG-tuned engine is unique in world motorsport.More than just a pretty thing, the SLS AMG GT3 has racked up victories across the planet in its two years, including a back to back victory in the Dubai 24 Hour and in 2012 won both the team and drivers' Championship in the FIA GT1 World Championship.
o Founded in 2011
o Finished 2nd in 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour and Australian GT Championship
o Brought AMG Customer Sports to the V8 Supercars Championship from 2013
o Awarded 2011s AMG Customer Sports Program Best Presented Car
o In Greek mythology, Erebus (darkness) is the father of Light (Ether), the son of Chaos and the brother of Eros - the love God.
2012 AMG Customer Sports season at a glance:
48 cars, 28 race Series', four continents
FIA GT1 World Team and Driver Championship
FIA GT3 European Championship
Australian GT Team Championship and most wins
ADAC GT Masters (Germany) Team and Driver Championship
Super Taikyu (Japan) Team Championship
Brazil GT Team and Driver Championship
43 class victories
109 podium positions
27 pole positions
1-2-3 Dubai 24 Hours
SLS AMG GT3 SPECIFICATIONS:
Car: SLS AMG GT3Physical:Length: 4.71mWidth: 1.99mHeight: 1.195mWeight: 1355kgWheelbase: 2.68mFront Track: 1.686mRear Track: 1.644mRear Wing width: 1.931mRear Wing height: 1.191mWheels: 18 AMG light alloy, central lockingTyres: MichelinSuspension: Double wishbone, aluminium constructionBrakes: 10-stage adjustable ABSDoors: Mercedes-Benz SLS Gullwing DoorsConstruction: Aluminium with Carbon Fiber exterior components
Performance:Engine: AMG 6.3 litre V8Power: 563bhp/420kW @ 6800RPMTorque: 650Nm/480lb:ft @ 4750RPMTorque per Litre: 104.7NmMaximum Revs: 7200RPMTop Speed: >300kph/>186mph0-100kph: 3.7 secondsGearbox: 6-speed sequential gearbox with steering wheel paddle shiftBOP (Balance of Performance): Category imposed parity restrictions
