Erebus Motorsport has today unveiled the world’s first Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG V8 Supercars.
The three cars for Lee Holdsworth (IRWIN Racing), Maro Engel (SP Tools Racing) and Tim Slade (HHA Racing) were revealed to a packed house at a launch event in Sydney Olympic Park.
Unveiling the first AMG Customer Sports race cars to be built outside Germany was an amazing moment for team owner, Betty Klimenko.
“It’s not often in life you get to touch your dream,” said Klimenko.
“Having tonight’s launch in the same week as winning the Bathurst 12 hour, is like the icing on the cake.
“To love motorsport is to love the feeling of being alive. To hear, see and feel the excitement, and to be a part of one the greatest team sports in the world, is amazing.
“I love the fact that fans feel they are part of the team and always have a smile for you at the track, even when things might not be going exactly how you planned it.
“Walk along pit lane before all the excitement starts is like watching the sun come up, you know it’s just going to happen, your just waiting for it to begin.
“I love the challenge and I love the perfection of my cars, and of my crew.”
For Erebus Motorsport CEO Ryan Maddison the launch of the Erebus Mercedes Benz was a fulfillment of a dream.
“At the Bathurst 12 hour last year I spoke with a representative from AMG and he told me ‘I don’t believe this will ever happen’,” said Maddison.
“This project has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember and tonight this dream has become a reality; and there is a sense of disbelief that we are here.
“The only way that we were able to achieve what we have is because of the dedication which is found in AMG, Stone Brothers Racing and Erebus Motorsport; they are the true heroes of tonight. We can look forward to being a major contributor to the V8 Supercars series.
“Betty believed in me and my ability to drive this project, and I respect her so much for giving me the opportunity to be part of this project.”
Remarkably the three Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG V8 Supercars took only 109 days to build, an incredible achievement says general manager Ross Stone.
“Everyone at Erebus Motorsport V8 has worked so hard and because of their passion for building these cars, they have worked the required hours necessary to get them here tonight. It’s just a phenomenal effort by all,” he said.
“Betty is the first female owner in V8 Supercars and she has already proven that with her passion and determination anything is achievable. It is because of her belief in this project that we are here tonight.
“Now we are looking forward to getting the cars out on track on Saturday at the first test day and really seeing what they can do.”
Ulrich Fritz, senior manager at AMG Customer Sports said the team’s determination and dedication was enough to persuade AMG to put its full support behind the Erebus Mercedes Benz project.
“Since joining the AMG Customer Sports Program with the SLS AMG GT3, Erebus Motorsport’s passion and professionalism certainly helped to establish this exciting V8 Project,” said Fritz.
“The team’s enthusiasm and their overwhelming will to win has not gone unnoticed and helped to convince us to develop the V8 Supercar based on the new E 63 AMG within the AMG Customer Sports Program.”
“The launch of this car is a milestone for this program as well as the Erebus Motorsport team, who have shown an impressive work ethic ever since the start of the project.”
“We wish them all the best for the upcoming season and hope that the race fans in Australia enjoy seeing and hearing the E 63 AMG.”
