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Craig Baird To Drive Erebus Motorsport SLS AMG GT3 In Adelaide
Craig Baird will join Erebus Motorsport’s line-up for the second round of the Australian GT Championship presented by Pirelli at the Clipsal 500 next weekend.
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This will be the first time the flying Kiwi has had the opportunity to take to the wheel of the AMG Customer Sports SLS GT3 Gullwing and continues his association with the former Stone Brothers Racing team, with whom he raced the 2012 V8 Supercar endurance races.
With Baird stepping into the #63 SLS AMG GT3, Peter Hackett will be on the sidelines for the Clipsal 500 event, however - contrary to reports in some places - Hackett is not permanently out of the seat - having been offered a commercial solution.
“Peter was our foundation driver and remains a strong part of the Erebus Motorsport family,” said Erebus Motorsport CEO, Ryan Maddison. “There may be opportunities for us to work together in the future, which we can explore as they come to hand.
“Peter has many commitments with the Mercedes-Benz and AMG brands around the world through it's benchmark Mercedes-Benz Driver Academy."
Maddison added that with the advent of Erebus Motorsport’s V8 Supercar program - the decision to draft in Baird was based on performance and commercial outcomes.
“Without doubt, Craig is one of the best GT drivers in the world,” he added. “The weekend is massive for Erebus Motorsport with the beginning of the AMG journey in V8 Supercars with Tim Slade, Lee Holdsworth and Maro Engel.
“Every single one of our sponsors will be at Clipsal and the GT program is totally complementary to the V8 Supercars program. Having Craig on board will allow us to further expose what Erebus Motorsport is about and we welcome him to the team.”
After finishing behind Erebus Motorsport SLS AMG GT3s at the last two Bathurst 12 Hours, Baird is looking forward to having the opportunity to step behind the wheel.
“Racing against both these cars at the Bathurst 12 Hour was incredibly tough - for the last two years Erebus Motorsport has finished in front of me,” said Baird - who raced for Asian team, Clearwater Racing. “Now to drive one of Erebus Motorsport's SLS AMG GT3 on my own, at a challenging track like Adelaide is very exciting.”
The Australian GT Championship presented by Pirelli will conduct two races - a one hour twilight race on Saturday for the Murray Walker Trophy and Sunday’s sprint half hour race.
ABOUT EREBUS MOTORSPORT:
-Founded in 2011
-Won 2013 Bathurst 12 Hour
-Finished 2nd in 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour and Australian GT Championship
-Brought AMG Customer Sports to the V8 Supercars Championship from 2013
-Awarded 2011’s AMG Customer Sports Program ‘Best Presented Car’
-In Greek mythology, Erebus (darkness) is the father of Light (Ether), the son of Chaos and the brother of Eros – the love God.
AMG CUSTOMER SPORTS SLS AMG GT3 GULLWING:
The SLS AMG GT3 Gullwing has captivated the motor racing public since its worldwide debut at the New York Motor Show in 2010.
The note that emanates from the 6.3 Litre AMG-tuned engine is unique in world motorsport.
More than just a pretty thing, the SLS AMG GT3 has racked up victories across the planet in its two years, including a back to back victory in the Dubai 24 Hour, the 2013 Bathurst 12 Hour and in 2012 won both the team and drivers’ Championship in the FIA GT1 World Championship.
2012 AMG Customer Sports season at a glance:
-48 cars, 28 race Series’, four continents
-FIA GT1 World Team and Driver Championship
-FIA GT3 European Championship
-Australian GT Team Championship and most wins
-ADAC GT Masters (Germany) Team and Driver Championship
-Super Taikyu (Japan) Team Championship
-Brazil GT Team and Driver Championship
-43 class victories
-109 podium positions
-27 pole positions
-1-2-3 Dubai 24 Hours
SLS AMG GT3 SPECIFICATIONS:
Car: SLS AMG GT3
Physical:
Length: 4.71m
Width: 1.99m
Height: 1.195m
Weight: 1355kg
Wheelbase: 2.68m
Front Track: 1.686m
Rear Track: 1.644m
Rear Wing width: 1.931m
Rear Wing height: 1.191m
Wheels: 18” AMG light alloy, central locking
Tyres: Michelin
Suspension: Double wishbone, aluminium construction
Brakes: 10-stage adjustable ABS
Doors: Mercedes-Benz SLS Gullwing Doors
Construction: Aluminium with Carbon Fiber exterior components
Performance:
Engine: AMG 6.3 litre V8
Power: 563bhp/420kW @ 6800RPM
Torque: 650Nm/480lb:ft @ 4750RPM
Torque per Litre: 104.7Nm
Maximum Revs: 7200RPM
Top Speed: >300kph/>186mph
0-100kph: 3.7 seconds
Gearbox: 6-speed sequential gearbox with steering wheel paddle shift
BOP (Balance of Performance): Category imposed parity restrictions
PaddockTalk Perspective
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