One of the most interesting new entries in the 2017 International GT Open will be SPS Automotive Performance, the well-known German squad, which will run a Mercedes AMG GT3 full-season for Valentin Pierburg and Tom Onslow-Cole.

Created in 2003 and based in Obersulm-Willsbach, not far from Stuttgart, SPS Automotive Performance is a racing and engineering company which has been in recent years a key player in GT  (Blancpain and 24 Hours series) and Porsche competitions. Team Principal Stephan Sohn commented: “We were eager to expand into other categories and a top series like the GT Open, on some of the most beautiful European tracks, seems the best option. We are really looking forward to join the series.”
 
The Mercedes AMG GT3 that will be fielded in the GT Open (and raced the Dubai 24 Hours earlier this year) will be in the safe hands of Valentin Pierburg and Tom Onslow-Cole, both aged 29. The Swiss is an endurance expert, having mostly raced in the 24 Hours Series, while Onslow-Cole switched to GTs in 2014 after being a star in the BTCC in 2007-13.