The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 is one of the attractions at the Second International Edition of Qatar Motor Show, at the Doha Exhibition Centre until tomorrow (28 Jan). The racing gullwing, which has recently won the Dunlop Dubai 24 H Race, is displayed at the pavilion of Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, the exclusive dealers of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar. The SLS AMG is the first customer sports car in Mercedes-Benz history, based on AMG’s own first development. All modern GT3 series excel with high levels of quality and professional standards. 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. The SLS AMG GT3 is described as a race car 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. In order to familiarise 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 marvellous machines in Doha as the SLS AMG GT3 is one of the major attractions during this year’s edition of the Qatar 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 eight 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. Gulf Times

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