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The Mercedes-Benz CLR was a Le Mans Prototype racing car created for the 1999 race.

Racing History

In April 1999 Mercedes launched the new Mercedes CLR which would take part in the upcoming Le Mans 24 Hours. Tens of thousands of miles had been spent testing, Mercedes felt that the car was quick enough to win the race.

However Mercedes' Le Mans campaign came to an abrupt end when the #5 CLR, driven at the time by Peter Dumbreck, became airborne, landing over the barriers into the trees. Nobody was injured. Mark Webber's #4 had already taken off twice during qualifying and the warm-up. Some aerodynamic changes had been made to the #5 and the #6 cars which went on to race, but these were clearly not enough to prevent Dumbreck's aerodynamic induced back flip.

The flying Mercedes at Le Mans brought the almost immediate cancellation of the project and the planned participation in the ALMS series. The cars were never raced again.

Specifications

Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, carbon fiber and aluminium honeycomb monocoque

Mercedes-Benz V8 (GT 108 C) engine, 5721 cc, electronically controlled ignition and injection system (Bosch Motronic)

X-Trac, unsynchronised, six-speed gearbox with magnesium casing

Front suspension: Double wishbones with push rod activation of the spring and shock absorber suspension units, attached directly to monocoque with pick-ups

Rear suspension: Double wishbones with push rod activation of the spring and shock absorber suspension units, attached directly to gearbox casing with pick-ups.

18" diameter undivided magnesium wheels

Bridgestone Potenza Tires

Length: 4893 mm, Width: 1999 mm, Height: 1012 mm, Wheelbase: 2670 mm, Weight: 921 kg

• Racing cars