The worst kept secret in V8 Supercars was confirmed yesterday when Erebus Motorsport and Stone Brothers Racing announced they would form a new team to tackle the 2013 season. The partnership paves the way for the introduction of the Mercedes brand to the V8SC category under new Con of the future rules.
The Erebus–SBR alliance will see three cars entered in the 2013 V8SC season, with the E Class body to be used as the base.
Erebus has created a name for itself in the Australian GT Championship running a superb looking Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3. They were also prominent at the Bathurst 12 Hour race early this year, in another partnership formed with slick German outfit Black Falcon.
It’s important to note that it is Erebus writing the cheques on behalf of Mercedes; this is not a factory-funded entry into Australia’s most popular motorsport category. Mercedes, through their AMG arm, will of course offer support to Erebus and Stone Brothers, who are ending their 15 year association with Ford.
Erebus Motorsport CEO, Ryan Maddison, spoke at yesterday’s press conference and said: “Our entry into V8 Supercars is an entirely Erebus Motorsport funded initiative as a private race team that is accessing the Customer Sports program of AMG.
“There is a lot of work required between now and the first event next year; by no means will it be an easy road with V8 Supercars being such a highly competitive environment.”
Here at AUSmotive we’ve previously expressed distaste at the COTF direction, despite this, we wish Erebus and SBR all the best and would love nothing more than seeing them upset the Ford–Holden duopoly.
[Source: Erebus Racing | Pic: SBR]