GregW / Oregon

M-Class takes the win today of this 2,784 km rally. 29 cars started in the production class. 12 cars finished after 8 days. M-Class places 1, 3, 5 and 8. It was a tough battle with Isabelle Patissier, Nissan Pathfinder, to the end. It's the first victory in the last year or so and counts towards the FIA Cross Country Worldcup.

1.210 STRUGO -LARROQU MERCEDES ML 22 26h53'05"00 75.0 km/h 0 0
2.245 BARBIER-BARBIER MITSUBISHI 22 27h44'08"00 + 51'03"00 0 0
3.236 THOMASSE-CARPEN MERCEDES ML 22 29h13'42"00 + 2h20'37" 0 0
4.261 CUEREL-KORNSTEI MITSUBISHI 22 29h54'37"00 + 3h01'32" 0 0
5.229 BOURGIN -ANCEME MERCEDES ML 22 30h12'39"00 + 3h19'34" 0 0
6.288 BOURGNON -QUINI TOYOTA LAND 22 31h26'15"00 + 4h33'10" 0 0
7.254 KAMOUN -OLIVAN TOYOTA HDJ8 22 32h22'37"00 + 5h29'32" 0 0
8.231 GALLOIS -BOCH MERCEDES ML 22 32h54'20"00 + 6h01'15" 0 0
9.279 BONFILS -CHANOI TOYOTA HDJ 22 33h10'06"00 + 6h17'01" 0 0
10.238 PARDIGON -GARIN MITSUBISHI 22 35h41'42"00 + 8h48'37" 0 0
11.209 PATISSIER -DELL NISSAN PATH 22 35h45'05"00 + 8h52'00" 0 0
12.283 OLMI -COLLIGNON NISSAN NAVA 22 36h55'36"00 + 10h02'31 0 0

originally posted on another forum by Wolfgang



Clarification--these were W163s.

ViKTORiOUS

Sweet!!!

Question though, why do these ML's have the outdated side-view mirrors that are Pre MY02? Interesting...

I wonder if they use Bi-Xenons as well hehehehe

2mbusa

Does anyone know what tires are in the photos?

Wolfgang

They prefer the larger sized rear view mirrors since it's quite difficult to see any following vehicles in the dense trailing dust clouds in the desert.

Wolfgang

They use special BFG racing tires, the BFG Baja T/A Rock in 235/85 R16 with sixfold nylons layers. They are usually run at 32 psi on hard surfaces and deaired to 19 psi on sand, less if stuck.

Ronin007

Wolfgang - Do you have a link to where I can find the specs and buildup of these ML's? Thanks.

Wolfgang

Darren, you can start here:

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/groine_ML270CDI.html
http://www.groine.com
http://www.teamgroine.com
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/trips.html
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/offroad.html
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/mercedes_buggy.html

Groine was just taken over by SDO who don't yet have a webpresence.

Ronin007

Thanks Wolfgang. I will checkout those links. Sounds like you have built-up your ML for off road duty. I currently have a Range Rover that is setup for off road expedition style. Possibly I will do the ML up rally style. Thanks again.

Wolfgang

@Darren, have fun with your ML mods, once you decide to go for it.

Here some new pics which were just put up.





Jpe Strugo and Pascal Larroque on their ML after winning the Tunisia rally.

Ronin007

Thanks Wolfgang. I probably won't do anything with the ML for awhile. There are mods I have to do on the 300E to get it ready for the track and the Rover for off roading. The ML is still basically new with only 14,000 miles on it and I have not really thought about what we were going to do with it. I sold my Subaru rally car so I kind of miss it. We will see. Thanks again and let me know if there are any other sites I should look at to get ideas on rally ML's.

Wolfgang

Darren, agreed, offroad modding is more fun once the ML has aged a bit... Just received a better high res picture of the Mercedes-Benz ML racing buggy and updated the page. FYI.

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/mercedes_buggy.html

Ronin007

Very cool Wolfgang. That ML is very high tech. Like the mid-engine setup. Don't think I would do anything that radical with the ML. Right now just enjoying the ML the way it is. Got enough projects going between the 300E and the Rover. Have a few mods planned for the Super Duty also so that is enough for now. You got me think about the future of the ML however. I am going to keep looking on the web for ideas, but right now I really like the rally idea for it. Thanks again!!!

Wolfgang

More:

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/tunisia_2005.html