Rolex 24 Hours Race
01-28-2013, 06:04 PM
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2003 R230 and 2007 W209
Rolex 24 Hours Race
Guys, Just returned home from enjoying a great Daytona 24 hour race .. As expected, there was a LARGE turnout of German entries (scads of Porsches) along with AUDIs and BWMs.. A BMW powered Riley chassis Daytona Prototype (DP) took overall honors with a Corvette powered DP second and a Ford powered DP third. As you might expect the drivers were all top class from several countries...The AUDIs took 1st and 2nd in GT with a Ferrari Italia 458 third.. The usual army of Porsches didn't prevail ..even the powerful and usually winning Brumos' #59 DNF'ed.
Sadly, there were NO Mercedes to be seen....No Mercedes SLS AMGs, no Mercedes powered racers anywhere !!! Not even an organized MBCA paddock group get-together !!! Nichts ..
As we know, The Rolex 24 is a VERY Hi Vis NATIONAL auto event and great marketing opportunity... While the MB FACTORY F1 effort appears to be gaining traction ... Most Americans do not follow Grand Prix... So it would seem that MBNA would take a second look at the Rolex 24 and at least enter a token effort just to maintain an effort ... If anyone says that MB won't compete in any program they cannot win... Check out the recent FIA GT race at Donnington, UK with Ferraris, Lambos and McClarens competing..but only hard core Americans watch these events..
Anyone remember WHY the W194s, later the street W198s, and finally the W196s were built...Hot "street racers' won't get it done ! In fact they might be counter productive..
(BTW I am NOT a "Newbie".....Had a '55 W198 GW WAY back in 1959 !!! and raced SCCA in a SIATA)
Ron Martin
Sadly, there were NO Mercedes to be seen....No Mercedes SLS AMGs, no Mercedes powered racers anywhere !!! Not even an organized MBCA paddock group get-together !!! Nichts ..
As we know, The Rolex 24 is a VERY Hi Vis NATIONAL auto event and great marketing opportunity... While the MB FACTORY F1 effort appears to be gaining traction ... Most Americans do not follow Grand Prix... So it would seem that MBNA would take a second look at the Rolex 24 and at least enter a token effort just to maintain an effort ... If anyone says that MB won't compete in any program they cannot win... Check out the recent FIA GT race at Donnington, UK with Ferraris, Lambos and McClarens competing..but only hard core Americans watch these events..
Anyone remember WHY the W194s, later the street W198s, and finally the W196s were built...Hot "street racers' won't get it done ! In fact they might be counter productive..
(BTW I am NOT a "Newbie".....Had a '55 W198 GW WAY back in 1959 !!! and raced SCCA in a SIATA)
Ron Martin
Last edited by Ron Martin; 01-28-2013 at 06:10 PM.
