Mercedes-AMG to build up Customer Sports involvement in the US
Affalterbach (GER). In 2017, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be racing in the most important North-American sports car series for the first time. In the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Riley Motorsports will campaign two Mercedes-AMG GT3 race cars.
One of the team’s cars will run as “AMG-Team Riley Motorsports”, and one car will run as WeatherTech Racing, with sponsorship from the series’ title sponsor.
With SunEnergy1 Racing, one further Customer Sports car from Affalterbach also has been confirmed already. During the race weekends, Mercedes-AMG will have an on-site presence with a comprehensive service portfolio to support the teams.
Mercedes-AMG is envisaging the next milestone in the continued development of its Customer Sports programme and is entering the Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship from 2017.
With its participation in the popular series, Mercedes-AMG is increasing its involvement in motorsport in the relevant market of the United States. So far, the German manufacturer was represented in GT3 racing through privateer teams with the SLS AMG GT3 in the Pirelli World Challenge.
For its upcoming presence in IMSA, Mercedes-AMG is working together with Riley Motorsports, among others. The team with its long heritage will be running a pair of Mercedes-AMG GT3, one of which to run with increased AMG support under the AMG-Team Riley Motorsports banner.
Under the WeatherTech Racing entry, the team’s second car will represent the patronage of the series’ sponsor. The AMG Customer Sports Team SunEnergy1 Racing will be running another car from Affalterbach.
Moreover, the participation of additional cars is planned. All Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be racing in the GTD class, for which cars to the international GT3 regulations are eligible. The 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship includes a total of twelve rounds.
Among the highlights are popular events like the Daytona 24 Hours, the Sebring 12 Hours or ‘Petit Le Mans’ at Road Atlanta.
Together with the competition debut of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the US, the support will be increased.
The new central hub is a dedicated technical and logistical centre at Mooresville, North Carolina, to ensure quick and reliable service for the teams in North-America.
For direct on-site support, Mercedes-AMG will send its own service and spare parts truck to the rounds of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the Pirelli World Challenge.
Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “Traditionally, North-America is a very important market for Mercedes-AMG.
The enthusiasm for our performance cars is enormous. The great demand for the Mercedes-AMG GT3, in particular following the legendary quadruple victory in this year’s Nürburgring 24-hour race, has strengthened our commitment to building up our involvement in Customer Sports in the US as well.
I am very much looking forward to the co-operation with the teams and I wish them all good luck.”
Jochen Bitzer, head of AMG Customer Sports: “With the expansion of our AMG Customer Sports programme in the US, it is our aim to provide the same high and comprehensive level of support to the teams as in Europe from the very beginning.
This not only means short distances, but also the close interaction with the teams regarding know-how and experience at the race track, and now, we have the perfect conditions. We are really looking forward to a thrilling and hopefully a successful season.”
