The #9 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 of German team Black Falcon, competing in the SP9 GT3 class, has won the 2013 Nürburgring 24 Hours, which ended just moments ago.

Taking turns behind the wheel were drivers Bernd Schneider, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Sean Edwards and Nicki Thiim, who have become the first to drive a Mercedes-Benz to overall victory in the event.

Coming in second, also in the SP9 GT3 class, was the #25 BMW Z4 M GT3 of BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, driven by Martin, Piccini, Buurman, Göransson, with ROWE Racing’s #22 SLS AMG GT3 coming in third thanks to its drivers Graf, Jäger, Seyffarth, Bastian.

Moving down the classes, the #18 Porsche 911 GT3 of Manthey Racing was the best placed car in the SP7 class, coming in 7th place overall, while the #81 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 of Guttroff, Kiesch, Strycek, Klasen was best in the near-production SP8 class, coming 21st overall.

The 41st running of the arduous race around Germany’s ‘Green Hell’ lived up to its reputation of being one of the toughest races in international motorsport. Making the situation worse, poor weather forced the red flag to come out about five and a half hours into the race, causing a delay of almost 12 hours.

Unfortunately for Aston Martin, which had campaigned three cars in the race, and was leading for much of it in the earlier stages with its #7 V12 Vantage GT3, the team ended up 10th overall. Faced with the treacherous conditions, the team decided to go with caution and were just keen to finish the race.

Gazoo Racing, meanwhile, with the SP8-contending Lexus LFA, finished 37th overall.

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