Under what’s being called a strategic reorganisation of its GT Sport division, Mercedes-AMG is in talks to takeover the customer motorsport side of HWA AG. The latter name is probably one that’s become better known of late thanks to the Evo, but has a very rich history when it comes to racing Benzes. Interestingly, AMG is said to be ‘in favour of the revival’ of the 190 E Evo II into HWA dream machine, and will definitely be keen on more trophies, so closer ties make sense.
The arrangement is currently said to be at the ‘intensive talks’ stage, with a non-binding term sheet having already been signed. AMG’s vision with this deal is to expand its customer racing operation: there are GT4, GT3 and GT2 specifications of the previous GT available, and customers who want to race them across the globe. More factory support means more people can race Mercedes. To that end, a new company has been created called Affalterbach Racing, which will deal exclusively with the ‘conceptual and technical customer sport activities of AMG’. The Mercedes-AMG Motorsport outfit will continue to handle international coordination.
The first job for Affalterbach is a big one - creating a new AMG GT3 from the current AMG GT sports car. Never an easy ask, and with particular pressure this time around given the enormous success of the old one both in terms of race wins and fan enthusiasm - using the old 6.2 throughout won it a lot of support. Still, the new division will be blessed with plenty of experience, and a modest ambition to ‘continue the success of AMG’s international Customer Racing programme.’ It’ll want to add to the victory tally, that’s for sure. There’s also a plan to ensure ‘even more in-depth technological exchange’ between Affalterbach Racing competition cars and AMG road cars. An exciting promise, given the advances already made recently in the very serious, track focused Affalterbach production models.
Michael Schiebe, Mercedes-AMG’s Board Chairman, said: “Motorsport is part of the DNA of Mercedes?AMG. This currently includes GT Sport in particular, in which we’ve been very successful for years. Going forward, we not only want to continue these successes but also expand them further. We continue to see a growing interest in GT3 vehicles and are therefore working intensively on our successor model. In order to utilise our in-house expertise even more effectively, we’ve strategically strengthened the motorsport division with the new business unit at the Affalterbach site and set an important course for the future. With Affalterbach Racing GmbH, we will now be able to act even more flexibly and quickly.” Which sounds like very good news for those of us that like AMG V8 racing cars. Bring on that new GT!
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