Photo: Auto Action

Mercedes-Benz to race in V8 Supercars in 2013

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V8 Supercars have today announced that Mercedes-Benz is set to join the grid in 2013. They will join Holden and Ford as well as Nissan, who announced their 2013 involvement in the series with Kelly Racing earlier in the year.

Stone Brothers Racing will merge with Erebus Motorsport to field three AMG E Class V8 Supercars in next year’s Championship. Under the deal Stone Brothers Racing, through the company’s AMG Customer Sports department, will utilise Mercedes engines and bodywork. Erebus Motorsport already has an association with this department through its current involvement in the Australian GT Championship in which it runs SLS AMG GT3s.

Stone Brothers Racing has already locked in their current sponsors and three drivers, Shane van Gisbergen, Lee Holdsworth and Tim Slade for next year. The team has run Fords in the V8 Supercars championship since its inception in 1998, winning three driver championships with the manufacturer. Team owner Ross Stone had the following to say on the move:

“Leaving Ford was not an easy thing to do, but as car markets change here in Australia I felt the time was right for a new challenge and with Ford’s mutual agreement we have decided to part ways. I’d like to thank Ford and all our supporters for their backing and we now look forward to entering a new era of racing with Erebus Motorsport.”

The alliance between the two teams was made possible under the Car of the Future regulations which come into effect in 2013. Work has already begun on the development of the V8 Supercar specification five-litre engine, with the first being revealed at today’s announcement.

While supportive of the move, Mercedes have reiterated their earlier stance in regards to involvement with V8 Supercars. David McCarthy, the Senior Corporate Communications Manager of Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific, had the following to say on the announcement:

“Our position on entering V8 Supercars has not changed, we have jointly with AMG approved to offer Erebus Motorsport the opportunity to purchase the requested technology and support via the Customer Sports program. We are not directly involved and we have no plans to undertake any sales or marketing activities in conjunction with this effort. There is no Mercedes-Benz or AMG money inherent in this new entry, the entire project is funded by Erebus Motorsport.”