At this year’s 24-hour race in Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) we’ll see a special edition SLS AMG GT3 from Mercedes. This special edition celebrates the 40th anniversary of the success achieved in 1971, when the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG won a class victory and second place in the overall ranking on its first outing
Beside this, behind the wheel of this special edition will be Kenneth Heyer, Hans Heyer’s son. Kenneth has been an active racing driver since 2000, and now, on this event, he is following in the footsteps of his father Hans Heyer, who achieved the original 1971 success for AMG–a win that helped put AMG on the map.
Last year we saw the 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG sedan wearing the same livery, so this isn’t the first time that we’ve seen a modern Mercedes dress up in the original livery of the 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG
“It’s a great honour, exactly 40 years after my father’s success, for me to be bringing the Black Falcon SLS AMG GT3 to the starting line of the 24-hour race in Spa-Francorchamps. Together with my team colleagues, I will be trying to achieve at least second place,” Kenneth stated.
“The car will no doubt attract plenty of attention in the line-up with its look reminiscent of the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, but naturally the focus will be on a good racing performance. The SLS AMG GT3 has the potential for a place on the winner’s rostrum, but as we all know, a 24-hour race obeys laws of its own,” he explained.
“40 years after our class victory and second overall place, I think it is a great idea to enter the Spa-Francorchamps race with the SLS AMG GT3 in the same look as “my” 300 SEL 6.8 AMG. Naturally I wish the Black Falcon team and my son Kenneth every success – and will be delighted if he wins at least second place!” his father, Hans, added.
Source: Inautonews
