For Mercedes-AMG, 2017 is all about its 50th anniversary. The company, founded in 1967, has also put its brand presence at the Nürburgring 24-hour race under the motto ’50 Years of Driving Performance’. At the race track, a total of seven Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be taking on the challenge twice around the clock. The race cars from Affalterbach will have a strong driver line-up for the attempt to build on last year’s historic quadruple victory. During the season highlight in the Eifel, visitors can also get an up-close experience of the successful motorsport history and the fascinating spirit of the performance brand from Affalterbach away from the race track. Next to legendary race cars from every decade of the corporate history, the debut of the limited-edition model ‘Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 50’ is yet another highlight in the Mercedes-AMG activity programme.
50 years of Mercedes-AMG, 90 years of the Nürburgring and the 45th running of the ADAC Zurich 24-hour race – this special mix of anniversaries is unique for 2017. During the endurance racing classic, taking place from 25 till 28 May, 2017, Mercedes-AMG Motorsport is presenting itself with a strong line-up of teams and drivers. Off the track, fans can look forward to an attractive brand presence with the focus on the company’s anniversary.
Seven Mercedes-AMG GT3 on the starting grid
The Mercedes-AMG Team BLACK FALCON will be competing with two cars: starting number #1 will have Adam Christodoulou (GBR), Maro Engel (GER) and Manuel Metzger (GER) as three race winners from the previous year on board, with Yelmer Buurman (NED) rounding out this year’s line-up. The #3 Mercedes-AMG Team BLACK FALCON entry has Thomas Jäger (GER), Dirk Müller (GER), Jan Seyffarth (GER) and double starter Maro Engel as its drivers. Likewise, the Mercedes-AMG Team HTP Motorsport also has two cars in the race: Sebastian Asch (GER), Dominik Baumann (AUT), Christian Hohenadel (GER) and Stefan Mücke (GER) will be alternating behind the wheel of the #47 car. The sister car with starting number #50 is sporting a livery in the colours of Mercedes-AMG Partner IWC Schaffhausen and will be raced by Maximilian Buhk (GER), Edoardo Mortara (ITA), Edward Sandström (SWE) and Dominik Baumann, the latter also being a double starter. The HARIBO Racing Team Mercedes-AMG is running one car: the #8 Mercedes-AMG GT3 will see Uwe Alzen (GER), Lance David Arnold (GER), Maximilian Götz (GER) and Renger van der Zande (NED) driving the ‘Golden Bear’ through the Green Hell. Next to these five Mercedes-AMG GT3, who will all have the striking 50 years logo on the bonnet, BLACK FALCON and HTP Motorsport will each be running one additional Mercedes-AMG GT3 as a customer racing car.
Driver-team-allocation Mercedes-AMG Motorsport 24h Nürburgring*
| St.nr. | Team | Drivers (in alphabetical order) |
| 1 | Mercedes-AMG Team BLACK FALCON | Yelmer Buurman (NED), Adam Christodoulou (GBR), Maro Engel (GER), Manuel Metzger (GER) |
| 3 | Mercedes-AMG Team BLACK FALCON | Maro Engel (GER), Thomas Jäger (GER), Dirk Müller (GER), Jan Seyffarth (GER) |
| 4 | BLACK FALCON | Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al Faisal (KSA), Hubert Haupt (GER), Daniel Juncadella (ESP), Luca Stolz (GER) |
| 8 | HARIBO Racing Team Mercedes-AMG | Uwe Alzen (GER), Lance David Arnold (GER), Maximilian Götz (GER), Renger van der Zande (NED) |
| 47 | Mercedes-AMG Team HTP Motorsport | Sebastian Asch (GER), Dominik Baumann (AUT), Christian Hohenadel (GER), Stefan Mücke (GER) |
| 48 | MANN-FILTER Team HTP Motorsport | Patrick Assenheimer (GER), Indy Dontje (NED), Kenneth Heyer (GER), Bernd Schneider (GER) |
| 50 | Mercedes-AMG Team HTP Motorsport | Dominik Baumann (AUT), Maximilian Buhk (GER), Edoardo Mortara (ITA), Edward Sandström (SWE) |
* subject to changes at short notice
Mercedes-AMG Fan Base
In the activity programme to support the race, the strong presence by Mercedes-AMG continues. Thus, a Fan Base with a floor size of 1,500 square metres is awaiting visitors at the north entrance of the Nürburgring paddock. In this brand experience world, freely accessible for all spectators with a valid ticket for the event, motorsport enthusiasts will find numerous souvenirs of major motorsport milestones of the past 50 years. The central element is a vehicle display featuring some of the most legendary competition vehicles from Affalterbach, including the AMG 300 ESL 6.8 that scored a surprising class win and second place overall in the Spa 24-hour race in 1971 and thus laid the foundation for AMG’s reputation. The cars from the current GT model range that are also on display at the Fan Base are the link to Mercedes-AMG’s present.
Throughout the event, the Fan Base provides a programme that is full of variety. Among the highlights is the official autograph and interview session of the Mercedes-AMG drivers, scheduled for Friday (26 May) at 2 pm. Additionally, live interviews will regularly be held while visitors have good chances of obtaining autographs from other motorsport personalities. A pit stop competition, in which fans can test their speed during a wheel change on a genuine Mercedes-AMG GT3, invites to take part. The Fan Base also includes a large-sized beer garden as well as a panorama terrace with a view of the part of the circuit where the cars leave the Grand Prix track to head out onto the legendary Nordschleife. Moreover, large video screens will be showing live footage of the racing action.
Car premiere: Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 50
The Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be an eye-catcher at the Fan Base. During the Nürburgring 24-hour race, the exclusive limited-edition version to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the brand will be shown in public for the first time. The race car will have a limited production run with a maximum of five and is primarily aimed at collectors with a passion for motorsport. The car is based on the Mercedes-AMG GT3, extended with exclusive features and functions, such as a passenger seat space. Striking optical features include the special colour and numerous carbon applications, the 50 years signage on the bonnet and the 50 years logo on the doors.
Watch premiere: “50th anniversary of Mercedes-AMG” by IWC
During the 24-hour race, Mercedes-AMG partner IWC Schaffhausen will also be presenting a special series to celebrate the anniversary: the Ingenieur Chronograph Sport Edition “50th anniversary of Mercedes-AMG” is limited to 250 pieces and combines precise engineering and a spectacular design. Buyers of a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 50 will receive the exclusive time piece as a gift together with their car.
Mercedes-AMG Showroom at the ring°boulevard
The ring°boulevard, located parallel to the start and finish straight, is another port of call for Driving Performance fans. Here, Mercedes-AMG is presenting itself with a new showroom concept that, among others, documents the brand’s 50 years’ history. The winning car from 2016, the #4 Mercedes-AMG GT3 of the Mercedes-AMG Team BLACK FALCON, will also be on display at the ring°boulevard.
Source : Mercedes.com
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