This may be of some interest to 2003 C230 (M271) owners. I found it posted on a Formula 1 BB.
---
Start of the new Formula 3 Euro Series
Seven Drivers from Six Countries Powered by Mercedes-Benz Engines
Racing version of the Mercedes-Benz engine M271 developed from new four-cylinder production
In the 2003 season, seven drivers from six countries will start the new Formula 3 Euro Series powered by the Mercedes-Benz engine M271 F3.
German Markus Winkelhock (22) and Austrian Christian Klien (20) will be entered by Team Mücke Motorsport. In 2002, Winkelhock scored the Mercedes-Benz engine's first victory when he won the Nürburgring race in August, less than four months after the engine's competition debut. Klien clinched the 2002 German Formula Renault Championship title.
Dutchman Charles Zwolsman (23) and Belgium's Jan Heylen (22) are team mates in Team Kolles Racing. Last season, Zwolsman started with a Pole Position and places three and four in the first two German Championship rounds, but missed the second half of the season due to illness. Heylen won the 2002 Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch (GBR), a very competitive event for young talents.
French team ASM enters Canadian Bruno Spengler (19) as well as French drivers Olivier Pla (21) and Alexandre Premat (20). Spengler won the North American Formula Renault Championship title and finished runner-up in the same category in Germany. He scored 16 victories out of 28 races in 2002. Pla finished third overall in the French Formula 3 Championship and won the Korean Formula 3 Grand Prix. Premat won the 2002 French Formula Renault Championship title.
The Mercedes-Benz Formula 3 engine has been developed about a year ago from the 1.8-litre version of the new four-cylinder generation powering the C-Class since last June. The race engine's capacity was increased to almost two litres. According to the technical regulations, it has to do without compressor and direct petrol injection - both are part of the innovative technology package of the new production engines. Like the production engine, the race engine stands out for its high torque with good performance characteristics and for its low weight. It will develop more than 200 hp.
The new Formula 3 Euro Series will be promoted by German motor sports governing body DMSB and the French federation FFSA. The championship consists of ten events with two races each. On seven occasions, the Euro Series will be part of DTM events. Highlight reports on all races will be shown on German TV channels ARD and ZDF.
Norbert Haug, Vice President Mercedes-Benz Mo-torsport: "The German and the French Formula 3 Championships are among the most important series for young talents. To combine them in one championship makes it even more valuable for up-and-coming drivers. Many former Formula 3 champions of both countries had successful careers in motor racing. For example, our DTM drivers Jean Alesi and Bernd Schneider have been the 1987 French and German Formula 3 Champions respectively. We are happy to continue our traditional support of young talents in the new Euro Series and to demonstrate the competitiveness of the new Mercedes-Benz four-cylinder production engine concept."
---
Start of the new Formula 3 Euro Series
Seven Drivers from Six Countries Powered by Mercedes-Benz Engines
Racing version of the Mercedes-Benz engine M271 developed from new four-cylinder production
In the 2003 season, seven drivers from six countries will start the new Formula 3 Euro Series powered by the Mercedes-Benz engine M271 F3.
German Markus Winkelhock (22) and Austrian Christian Klien (20) will be entered by Team Mücke Motorsport. In 2002, Winkelhock scored the Mercedes-Benz engine's first victory when he won the Nürburgring race in August, less than four months after the engine's competition debut. Klien clinched the 2002 German Formula Renault Championship title.
Dutchman Charles Zwolsman (23) and Belgium's Jan Heylen (22) are team mates in Team Kolles Racing. Last season, Zwolsman started with a Pole Position and places three and four in the first two German Championship rounds, but missed the second half of the season due to illness. Heylen won the 2002 Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch (GBR), a very competitive event for young talents.
French team ASM enters Canadian Bruno Spengler (19) as well as French drivers Olivier Pla (21) and Alexandre Premat (20). Spengler won the North American Formula Renault Championship title and finished runner-up in the same category in Germany. He scored 16 victories out of 28 races in 2002. Pla finished third overall in the French Formula 3 Championship and won the Korean Formula 3 Grand Prix. Premat won the 2002 French Formula Renault Championship title.
The Mercedes-Benz Formula 3 engine has been developed about a year ago from the 1.8-litre version of the new four-cylinder generation powering the C-Class since last June. The race engine's capacity was increased to almost two litres. According to the technical regulations, it has to do without compressor and direct petrol injection - both are part of the innovative technology package of the new production engines. Like the production engine, the race engine stands out for its high torque with good performance characteristics and for its low weight. It will develop more than 200 hp.
The new Formula 3 Euro Series will be promoted by German motor sports governing body DMSB and the French federation FFSA. The championship consists of ten events with two races each. On seven occasions, the Euro Series will be part of DTM events. Highlight reports on all races will be shown on German TV channels ARD and ZDF.
Norbert Haug, Vice President Mercedes-Benz Mo-torsport: "The German and the French Formula 3 Championships are among the most important series for young talents. To combine them in one championship makes it even more valuable for up-and-coming drivers. Many former Formula 3 champions of both countries had successful careers in motor racing. For example, our DTM drivers Jean Alesi and Bernd Schneider have been the 1987 French and German Formula 3 Champions respectively. We are happy to continue our traditional support of young talents in the new Euro Series and to demonstrate the competitiveness of the new Mercedes-Benz four-cylinder production engine concept."
