FIA GT Champions GruppeM Racing make full-time track return in Asia

GRUPPEM RACING TO MAKE FULL TIME COMPETITIVE RETURN WITH MERCEDES-AMG IN BLANCPAIN GT SERIES ASIA• Squad to field three Mercedes-AMGs in Blancpain GT Series Asia• Experienced pro racer Tim Sugden first confirmed driver for 2017• GruppeM becomes first Mercedes-AMG GT3 team in series

Hugely successful GT motorsport squad GruppeM Racing will make an eagerly awaited return to full time competitive action in 2017 after today, Friday, 9th December, confirming its place on the Blancpain GT Series Asia grid with Mercedes-AMG.

Aiming to build on its past successes, which include title victory in the British GT Championship back in 2004 and an utterly dominant GT2 championship winning campaign in FIA GT in 2005, GruppeM is now eyeing a title challenge in Blancpain Asia in its maiden season as an AMG Customer Sports Team.

Determined to leave no stone unturned in its quest for success in the Far Eastern championship, GruppeM will field an extremely strong ‘Pro’ line-up with vastly experienced British racer Tim Sugden, a former British GT and Porsche Carrera Cup Champion, the first confirmed driver.

“We’re all very excited GruppeM Racing is back full-time and the choice to race with Mercedes-AMG is absolutely fantastic”, said a delighted Sugden, “We’re intending to hit the ground running from the first round, we’ve got big aspirations for the team and we’re talking to a number of very quick, top professional drivers. The aim is to be winning races and to challenge for the championship.”

GruppeM Racing team principal Kenny Chen commented: “I am proud to announce that after our successful victories over the years and winning FIA GT outright with Porsche Motorsport, GruppeM Racing is officially back in Blancpain Asia with Mercedes-AMG as the first AMG Customer Sports Team in the series. We are looking forward to a successful partnership.”

Mercedes-AMG, of course, needs no introduction as one of the globe’s most prestigious and decorated motor racing marques. From GT racing to the DTM touring car series and, of course, Formula One, the Mercedes brand is synonymous with success.

Beginning over the weekend 8th/9th April at Sepang in Malaysia, Blancpain GT Series Asia will then visit Thailand’s Chang International Circuit in May, Suzuka and Fuji in Japan, during June and August respectively, and then Shanghai International Circuit in China in September. The finale will take place on 21st/22nd October at Zhejiang Circuit in China.

On behalf of series organiser SRO, Stephane Ratel, Founder and CEO of SRO Motorsport, said: “It’s a great pleasure to welcome Kenny Chen, Tim Sugden and their GruppeM team as the first confirmed entries in the inaugural Blancpain GT Series Asia – a welcome back in an SRO promoted series since GruppeM competed in the FIA GT Championship, winning the GT2 team and driver titles for Porsche in 2005. We wish them similar success with their all new Mercedes AMG car line up in 2017.”

2017 Blancpain GT Series Asia CalendarRd1 Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia - 8/9 AprilRd2 Chang International Circuit, Thailand - 20/21 MayRd3 Suzuka International Circuit, Japan - 24/25 JuneRd4 Fuji International Circuit, Japan - 19/20 AugustRd5 Shanghai International Circuit, China - 23/24 SeptemberRd6 Zhejiang Circuit, China - 21/22 October


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