A NEW PARTNERSHIP between Formula 3 Management Pty. Ltd. and HWA, announced today, will increase competition and further reduce the long-term operating costs of competing in the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship.
Mercedes-Benz Formula 3 engines, built by HWA to a unique Australian specification, will become mandatory fitment to all of the latest-generation (MY2008-2011) eligible vehicles entering the country for the next four years.
The Australian Specification M271 Mercedes Benz engine will be built to a specification allowing 4,000km service intervals, approximately 40% more than current customer engines provided to Australian competitors.
The engine will run a mandated 26.5mm control air restrictor (up from the current 26mm) and will produce practically identical performance to current engines.
Costs remain almost identical to the current engine specifications, ensuring significantly increased value-per-kilometre as engines will now be able to complete a full season of racing and testing without requiring a rebuild.
Any current 2005-2007 specification vehicles currently utilising Mercedes-Benz engines will also be upgraded to the Australian Specification following the completion of their current engine kilometres allowance.
The engine will be available from March-April this year and will be phased in throughout the 2012 season.
“We are very pleased to be able to offer this engine package to the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship,” Said HWA Managing Director, Mr. Gerhard Ungar.
“HWA recognises that it is important for costs to be controlled in motor sport everywhere. The M271 engine has been developed to provide this to Formula 3 in Australia and allow them to have cost-effective engine package with longer life but the same performance they expect from HWA products.
“We will be watching closely from Germany as this engine is introduced in Australian Formula 3 this year.”
With two Mercedes-Benz powered Dallara’s in his own team’s stable, Formula 3 Management’s Ian Richards said the new engine supply would prove a boon for Australian competitors.
“These are significant savings in the main component that has traditionally been the least affordable part of going Formula 3 racing,” he said.
“We are very pleased to be working with a company with as much experience as HWA and to have them commit to this arrangement is a great vote of confidence in Australian Formula 3 Racing.
“A vast majority of 2005-2007 specification vehicles in Australia are Mercedes Benz powered and we anticipate that by the end of 2012 90% of every car made from 2005 onwards will be running the new engine and getting the benefits from its increased mileage and the cost savings that go with it.”
