09.12.2025Third place in Bathurst with a (snake) bite

As in previous years, the Bathurst 12 Hour race at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Australia kicked off the 2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) season. In this global GT3 racing series, manufacturers compete for the unofficial world championship title across various endurance races on multiple continents.

Following their victory the previous year, Mercedes-AMG's objective was clear: they wanted to win again. The Affalterbach-based manufacturer fielded four AMG GT3 Evo cars in the top class, including the fan-favorite "Mamba." Run by the renowned GruppeM Racing team and driven by Maro Engel, Mikael Grenier, and Raffaele Marciello, the #999 was considered the clear favorite for the overall victory.

And AMG driver Maro Engel made his mark right from the start in qualifying. The German driver became the first GT3 driver ever to break the 2:01-minute barrier in the fiercely contested "Top Ten Shootout." This feat not only secured Engel a place in the history books of the legendary endurance race but also earned him the Allan Simonsen Trophy, awarded to the pole-sitter.

The race itself was set to continue seamlessly for the trio behind the wheel of the #999. From the start, the Mamba established itself at the front, quickly building a commanding 30-second lead. The team and drivers performed flawlessly for the next several hours, and the trio seemed destined for their first Bathurst 12 Hour victory together. Then came a major setback: problems with the telemetry and data transmission forced the team to replace the installed model, resulting in the loss of not only the lead to their fellow GT3 drivers from SunEnergy1 Racing but also valuable time.

But what followed was a truly thrilling finale: Maro Engel launched a furious comeback. A collision with the Mercedes that had been leading the race brought their hopes of victory to an abrupt end. The resulting drive-through penalty dropped the trio back once again, and the #99 ultimately crossed the finish line in third place.

The Mercedes, with its sharp, venomous front end and distinctive snake-like design along its sides, has become a firm favorite with motorsport fans worldwide. The vibrant yellow and black livery, inspired by the legendary MANN-FILTER "Mamba" design, instantly makes the GT3 a head-turner and is familiar from racing series such as the DTM, ADAC GT Masters, and GT World Challenge Europe.

The "AMG Mamba" is now available as a model in scale 1:18 by Ixo at ck-modelcars. Produced to their usual high standards, the model is a faithful replica of the original.

Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo #999 3rd 12h Bathurst 2023 GruppeM Racing 1:18 Ixo, RRP €79.95, item-no.: LEGT18-23BAT003

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Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo #999 3. 12h Bathurst 2023 GruppeM Racing 1:18 Ixo

71,96 €