The Racing Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 is on showcase at the Qatar International Motor Show 2012

The mind-blowing Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 is now on showcase at the Qatar International Motor Show 2012 which is taking place at the Doha International Exhibition Centre from January 26 to 28. The racing gullwing, which has recently won the Dunlop Dubai 24 H Race, is available at the pavilion of Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, the exclusive dealers of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar.

Inspired by its reception by numerous customers as well as the demand of racing teams worldwide and the AMG Driving Academy participants, Mercedes-Benz turned the dream of many into reality with the first customer sports car in Mercedes- Benz history, based on AMG’s own first development – the SLS AMG, a spectacular milestone and the starting signal for a new era in customer sports.

With the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, sports cars fans can open the door to a fascinating world of motorsport. Exhilarating sprints, legendary endurance classics – the range of possibilities is extremely diversified. All modern GT3 series excel with high levels of quality and professional standards. In addition, large numbers of participants, thrilling races and – not least importantly – a comparatively favorable cost structure have contributed to the growing popularity of the GT3 sport worldwide.

The know-how that has allowed the Mercedes-Benz team to celebrate years of success during the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) is now available for aspiring private teams and drivers for the very first time. The basis is provided in the form of the SLS AMG GT3, a vehicle that wins with performance, ergonomics and design.

Its safety is also impressive: the unique positioning of the GT3 sport’s seat bucket in a safety cell made of extremely strong carbon is just one example of many. But just like the technology, the package that backs it is very critical: Further development, service, support – AMG’s customer sport program is also setting standards with these parameters.

Those who opt for the SLS AMG GT3 get a racecar that is able to compete right from the very first round. AMG made sure to guarantee this with an extraordinarily intensive test and trial phase and in order to familiarize drivers and teams with all the details of the new gullwing, AMG offers workshops and technical training. Teams can also count on full support when participating in races.

Khaled Shaa’ban, General Manager of NBk Automobiles said:"In 2011, the SLS AMG GT3 has appeared in numerous national and international race series. With the SLS AMG GT3, AMG is once again demonstrating its enormous experience based on more than 40 years of motorsport, and its great expertise in the development of unique high-performance cars. We’re very happy to have the opportunity to showcase such marvelous machines in Doha as we’re confident it’ll be one of the major attractions during this year’s edition of the Qatar International Motor Show.”

Well-known drivers in the racing gullwing included Kenneth Heyer (Wegberg, 31, Black Falcon), Lance David Arnold (Duisburg, 24, Heico Motorsport), Olivier Panis (France, 44, Graff Racing), Jarek Janis (Czech Republic, 27, Gravity Charouz Racing) and Anthony Kumpen (Belgium, 32, Viage KRK Racing).

In 2011 the SLS AMG GT3 has competed in 14 different race series conducted under FIA GT3 rules in 8 countries, and the race calendar also included three prestigious 24-hour races.

The racing version of the SLS AMG is developed and produced by AMG in close collaboration with HWA AG. The HWA team is one of the most successful in international motorsport with 10 driver's titles in the DTM and ITC, as well as two FIA GT Championship titles. No other brand has won as many DTM races and DTM titles as AMG-Mercedes. The SLS AMG GT3 is built by HWA AG, while its AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine is produced in the AMG custom shop. Both the car and engine are assembled completely by hand.