Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR)

Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR
The CLK GTR at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed
CategoryGT1
ConstructorMercedes-Benz
Designer(s)Gerhard Ungar[1]
SuccessorMercedes-Benz CLK LM
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb monocoque
SuspensionDouble wishbone suspension with pull-rod actuated coil springs over dampers
Length4,855 mm (191.1 in)
Width1,950 mm (76.8 in)
Height1,100 mm (43.3 in)
Axle track1,610 mm (63 in) (front)
1,650 mm (65 in) (rear)
Wheelbase2,670 mm (105.1 in)
EngineMercedes-Benz LS600 (GT112)[2] 5,987 cc (365.3 cu in) V12 naturally aspirated mid-engined
Transmission6-speed sequential manual
Weight1,000 kg (2,205 lb)[3]
FuelMobil 96-octane petrol[4]
BrakesCarbon-composite
TyresBridgestone
ClutchFour-plate carbon fibre
Competition history
Notable entrantsAMG
Persson Motorsport
Notable drivers
Debut1997 FIA GT Hockenheim 4 Hours
First win1997 Suzuka 1000 km
Last win1998 FIA GT Silverstone 500 km
Last event1998 FIA GT Laguna Seca 500 km
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
13887
Teams' Championships2 (1997 FIA GT, 1998 FIA GT)
Drivers' Championships2 (1997 FIA GT, 1998 FIA GT)

The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR (chassis code C297)[5] is a GT1 sports car built and produced by Mercedes-Benz in conjunction with their then motorsport partner AMG. Intended for racing in the new FIA GT Championship series in 1997, the CLK GTR was designed primarily as a race car. As such, the production of road cars necessary in order to meet homologation standards of GT1 was a secondary consideration in the car's design, i.e. the CLK GTR was a homologation special.[6][7]

After its successful campaign in the 1997 FIA GT Championship, the car was also entered in the first two rounds of the 1998 FIA GT Championship, before being replaced for the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its successor, the 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK LM, concluded Mercedes' GT1 program. For 1999, Mercedes introduced the Mercedes-Benz CLR, a sports car built to the Le Mans Grand Touring Prototype (LMGTP) regulations. This sports car was a purpose-built racecar that did not have to abide by the homologation rules of the previous GT1 cars.[8]

Background[edit]

The Mercedes-AMG DTM W202 C-Class

Following the 1955 Le Mans disaster, Mercedes-Benz had withdrawn its factory-backed race team from all motorsport activities.[9] It was not until 1985 that Mercedes reintroduced itself to motorsport, entering the 1985 World Sportscar Championship. Starting off as an engine supplier to Sauber, this partnership bloomed into a full-time factory-backed effort. Despite Mercedes winning the World Sportscar Championship twice in 1989 and 1990, they eventually withdrew at the end of 1991 following disappointing results.[10]

However, Mercedes saw success elsewhere, with a burgeoning touring car program in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, where the 190 E and its Evolution I and II siblings were climbing up the ranks. The 1991 season would see the 190 E Evo II take the honours in the constructors' championship. Klaus Ludwig piloted the car to the 1992 drivers' championship, with the 190 E being replaced by the W202 C-Class following the conclusion of the 1993 season. The C-Class went on to dominate both drivers and constructors championships from 1994 to 1996; as a result of the domination the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft/International Touring Car Championship folded in late 1996, with both remaining competitors Opel and Alfa Romeo withdrawing due to the rising costs.[11][12][13]

Without a top series to compete in, Mercedes-Benz looked towards the BPR Global GT Series, which had recently become an FIA-sanctioned championship, the FIA GT Championship, where Mercedes-Benz saw an opportunity to go against manufacturers such as Porsche and McLaren.[8][14] The McLaren F1 GTR was the dominant car in this series, and in order to defeat it fellow German marque Porsche built a dedicated racecar,[15][16] the 911 GT1. It became the first of the manufacturer’s “homologation specials”, with Norbert Singer modifying a Porsche 962 chassis to accommodate the front fascia of a Porsche 993, leaving other things such as the suspension and engine largely intact.[15][17] Only two units of the 993-based 911 GT1 were actually completed by the end of 1996. Seeing this, AMG was tasked by Mercedes-Benz with creating a car akin to the 911 GT1, an almost purebred racing machine with a resemblance to a road car.[18][19] The CLK GTR was the result, sharing nothing mechanically except the headlights, rear taillights and grille with the road-going Mercedes-Benz CLK.[20][21]

The CLK GTR was developed in a mere 128 days, this development time hastened by the purchase of McLaren F1 GTR chassis #11R from then-reigning FIA GT Championship champions Larbre Compétition. The car served as AMG's mule, the F1's bodywork was replaced by AMG's own, and the BMW S70 engine replaced by Mercedes' own powerplant, a M120 V12.[22][23] The car was eventually restored to its original mechanical condition, and was auctioned off in Monaco in 2000 by RM Sotheby's.[24][23][25]

Specifications[edit]

The chassis of the CLK GTR was a carbon-fibre monocoque mated to an aluminium honeycomb frame, constructed by Lola Composites, a division of Lola Cars.[20] The engine was a derivative of the M120 engine found in the R129 SL-Class and W140 S-Class, retitled the LS600, or GT 112.[19][2][26] The bore and stroke were kept the same at 89 mm (3.5 in) and 80.2 mm (3.2 in), however, the connecting rods were manufactured from titanium, and the compression ratio was increased from 10.0:1 to 12.0:1.[4] These modifications boosted power to 600 PS (592 hp; 441 kW) at 7,000 rpm, and torque to 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft) at 3,900 rpm, allowing the car to reach a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph).[27] The engine (which also served as a stressed member) was mounted amidships behind the driver, with power being sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed sequential manual transmission, giving the car a 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) time of 3.8 seconds.[28] Several driving aids such as traction control, ABS, active suspension, drive by wire throttle control, were banned, with fore-aft brake bias the only aid allowed.[4][27] The front and rear suspension were identical, consisting of double wishbones, with pull-rod actuated coil springs with adjustable shocks.[4]

Racing history[edit]

The CLK GTR debuted at Mercedes' home track, the Hockenheimring, at the 1997 FIA GT Hockenheim 4 Hours. Bernd Schneider qualified on pole and took the fastest lap, but had to retire due to braking problems. The sister No. 10 CLK GTR only mustered a 27th-place finish, also battling mechanical woes.[29][27][28] Still, the pace of the car was promising, and after intense development over the summer break, Mercedes would score their first 1-2 finish at the 1997 FIA GT Nürburgring 4 Hours with Schneider and Klaus Ludwig taking the win.[27]

The rest of the season saw the CLK GTR take three more 1-2 finishes, and wins at the 1997 FIA GT Sebring 3 Hours and 1997 FIA GT Laguna Seca 3 Hours would secure Mercedes the constructors' and drivers' championship with Schneider in their maiden season.[27][21] Mercedes opted not to enter that year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, as AMG understood that the V12 in the CLK GTR was better tailored to the 4-hour sprints of the FIA GT Championship rather than the 24-hour gruel of the Circuit de la Sarthe. Instead, Mercedes and AMG decided to develop a bespoke car for next year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, an evolution of the CLK GTR dubbed the CLK LM, LM for Le Mans.[21][27]

Straßenversion[edit]

Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Straßenversion
The CLK GTR Straßenversion at the Grand Palais in 2010
Overview
ManufacturerMercedes-AMG, with HWA AG
Production
  • 1998–1999 (28 produced)[30]
  • 2 prototypes
  • 20 coupés
  • 6 roadsters
AssemblyAffalterbach, Germany
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Body style2-door coupé
2-door roadster
LayoutRear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
DoorsDihedral
Powertrain
Engine6,898 / 7,291 cc (420.9 / 444.9 cu in) M297 E69/E73 V12
Power output
Transmission6-speed sequential manual transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,670 mm (105.1 in)
Length4,854 mm (191.1 in)
Width1,951 mm (76.8 in)
Height1,164 mm (45.8 in)
1,100 mm (43.3 in) (roadster)
Kerb weight1,440 kg (3,175 lb)
1,410 kg (3,109 lb) (roadster)
Chronology
PredecessorMercedes-Benz C112 (spiritual)
SuccessorMercedes-Benz CLK LM Straßenversion

The road-legal homologated version of the CLK-GTR would simply gain the suffix Straßenversion, German for Street version. In a similar fashion to the Porsche 911 GT1 in 1996, only a singular road car was completed in 1997 and was shown in that year's Frankfurt Motor Show.[34] The rest of the road cars were built at Affalterbach by AMG in collaboration with HWA over 1998, and production ceased in mid-1999.[19][30] Many components of the road car were lifted directly from the racecar, including the suspension, the sequential transmission, and the carbon-fibre monocoque.[27][35] Of the 28 produced, 2 were prototypes, 6 were roadsters, and 20 were coupés, 2 of which left the factory in "SuperSport" specification.[30][36] Two cars, one coupé and one roadster, also left the factory as right-hand drive for the 29th Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah.[37][38]

Former racing driver and motoring journalist Paul Frère test drove the CLK GTR around the Hockenheimring. Writing for Road & Track magazine, he praised the car's tractability, despite its immense power. He also applauded the effort put in by Mercedes-Benz to make the car more user-friendly, including large amounts of soundproofing to reduce the mechanical noise from the transmission and engine, although critiqued the cramped cockpit space despite the large width of the car, and its driveability in city conditions, due to its non-synchronous transmission and large amount of torque available from low rpm. He ended his review describing the car as a "real work of art".[39]

Specifications[edit]

The engine was stroked out to 6,898 cc (420.9 cu in) by Ilmor, resulting in a power and torque bump to 622 hp (464 kW; 631 PS) at 6,500 rpm and 731 N⋅m (539 lb⋅ft) at 5,250 rpm.[31][21] Sending this power to the rear wheels was a 6-speed sequential manual transmission with a four-plate carbon fibre clutch.[21] This gave the GTR a 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) of 3.8 seconds, and a claimed top speed of over 320 km/h (199 mph), depending on gearing.[31][4] The 18-inch centrelocking wheels were fitted with 295/35ZR18 Bridgestone tyres at the front and 345/35ZR18 at the rear.[31] Stopping power was provided by 6-piston calipers and carbon-composite rotors measuring 380 mm (15.0 in) at the front and 335 mm (13.2 in) at the rear.[21]

The road car received several amenities such as ABS, air-conditioning and an audio system. Bins for luggage were located under each door, as was the control for the fire suppression system on the driver side.[35][40] Owners had the option of fitting their seats with tartan, leather, or Alcantara, with four-point harnesses for safety.[35][40] Like the race car, the CLK GTR only shared the headlights, taillights and grille with the roadgoing CLK, and many exterior design elements such as the roof-mounted air dams, and NACA ducts on the sills were retained.[21] Mercedes decided not to modify the CLK GTR to comply with United States safety regulations, and all examples imported to the U.S. were under Show or Display exemptions.[41][28]

Roadster[edit]

The Sultan of Brunei's CLK GTR Roadster.

When the first production run of 20 CLK GTR coupés ended in 1999,[42] one roadster was also produced and held onto by AMG until 2002, when it was purchased by Mark Johnston.[43] Johnston attempted to sue DaimlerChrysler in 2006, claiming that when he had taken it for a test drive with a customer, the oil gauge lit up and the transmission promptly failed.[44] The next five would be converted from coupés to roadsters based on existing GTR chassis by HWA, and were made available in 2006.[45][46][47]

Modifications to the coupé included moving the engine intake from the roof to the sides, door-mounted mirrors, an integrated rollbar behind the seats, a revised front grille and rear wing which resembled the fixed rear wing of the race cars.[26][48] Of the six roadsters built, one was painted black and sold in 2015 by Bonhams, and now resides at Dutton Garage in Melbourne.[46][49] Another was painted dark silver with a purple interior, for the Sultan of Brunei, and was sold to Indian businessman Vijay Mallya in 2009.[50][51]

Interior

SuperSport[edit]

Two chassis would also leave the AMG factory in SuperSport specification. The original 6,898 cc (420.9 cu in) E69 engine was superseded with the larger, more powerful 7,291 cc (444.9 cu in) E73 M297. This same engine was also found in the Pagani Zonda and Mercedes-Benz R129, albeit now producing 664 PS (488 kW; 655 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 786 N⋅m (580 lb⋅ft) at 5,250 rpm.[33][45]

Visual changes included a speedometer that was etched to 400 km/h (249 mph) and a redesigned front splitter.[21] The increased power and torque figures lowered the 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) to 3.5 seconds.[33] Three other chassis later received the E73 engine and SuperSport package, with the later models having higher power figures at 711 hp (721 PS; 530 kW).[45][52]

Legacy[edit]

At the time of manufacture, Guinness World Records named the CLK Straßenversion and its siblings the world's most expensive production car, retailing for US$1,547,620 ($2,572,940 in 2021).[53][54] This record stood until the introduction of the Ferrari FXX-K in 2015.[55]

Along with its GT1 siblings, the Porsche 911 GT1 and McLaren F1 GTR, the trio were known as the "holy trinity" of Group GT1, and formed what several publications deemed a "golden era" or "pinnacle" of 90s sportscar racing.[30][56][57][58][59][60]

Racing results[edit]

Complete FIA GT Championship results[edit]

Year Entrant Class Drivers No. Rds. Rounds Pts. Pos.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
1997 Germany Team AMG-Mercedes GT1 Italy Alessandro Nannini
Germany Marcel Tiemann
Germany Klaus Ludwig
Germany Bernd Schneider
10 1–10
1–2, 4–10
3
7
HOC
13
SIL
13
HEL
11
NÜR
2
SPA
11
ZEL
2
SUZ
1
DON
2
MUG
2
SEB
Ret
LAG
8
110 1st
Germany Bernd Schneider
Austria Alexander Wurz
Germany Klaus Ludwig
Japan Aguri Suzuki
11 1–11
1–3, 5–9
4, 10–11
7
HOC
Ret
SIL
2
HEL
8
NÜR
1
SPA
2
ZEL
4
SUZ
7
DON
1
MUG
Ret
SEB
1
LAG
1
Germany Klaus Ludwig
Germany Bernd Mayländer
Germany Ralf Schumacher
Austria Alexander Wurz
Canada Greg Moore
12 4–9
4, 6–9
5
10–11
10–11
NÜR
Ret
SPA
5
ZEL
1
SUZ
2
DON
4
MUG
9
SEB
7
LAG
7
1998 Germany Team AMG-Mercedes GT1 Germany Bernd Schneider
Australia Mark Webber
1 All
All
OSC
3
SIL
1
146 1st
Brazil Ricardo Zonta
Germany Klaus Ludwig
2 All
All
OSC
1
SIL
4
Germany Team Persson Motorsport France Christophe Bouchut
Germany Bernd Mayländer
11 All
All
OSC
Ret
SIL
7
HOC
10
DIJ
4
HUN
DNS
SUZ
4
DON
8
A1R
10
HOM
Ret
LAG
6
24 3rd
Germany Marcel Tiemann
France Jean-Marc Gounon
12 All
All
OSC
2
SIL
Ret
HOC
4
DIJ
5
HUN
Ret
SUZ
7
DON
5
A1R
5
HOM
5
LAG
7
Source:[61][62]
Colour Result
Gold Winner
Silver Second place
Bronze Third place
Green Points finish
Blue Non-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
Purple Retired (Ret)
Red Did not qualify (DNQ)
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
Black Disqualified (DSQ)
White Did not start (DNS)
Withdrew (WD)
Race cancelled (C)
Blank Did not practice (DNP)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Excluded (EX)

Bold – Pole position
Italics – Fastest lap

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ de Boer, René (8 May 2014). "DTM: Mercedes-Benz-team HWA neemt maatregelen na desastreuze seizoensstart". Autosport.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Light and powerful: The GT 112 engine of the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR for the FIA-GT series developed some 600 hp (441 kW)" (Press release). Stuttgart: Mercedes-Benz. 16 June 2008. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  3. ^ Lyons, Pete (1997). "AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR". Autoweek. Vol. 47, no. 52. ISSN 0192-9674. Retrieved 4 September 2022 – via EBSCO Information Services.
  4. ^ a b c d e Simanaitis, Dennis; Millen, Steve (November 1998). "Driving the Championship winning CLK-GTR". Road & Track. Vol. 50, no. 3. ISSN 0035-7189. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Motorsport History Caption" (Press release). Stuttgart: Mercedes-Benz. 5 April 2019. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  6. ^ Perkins, Chris; Silvestro, Brian (3 January 2020). "28 of the Wildest Homologation Specials Ever Built". Road & Track. Online. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  7. ^ "18 brilliant homologation specials". Classic & Sports Car. Online. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  8. ^ a b Miles, Ben (8 April 2020). "Why you're wrong about the Mercedes‑Benz CLK GTR". Goodwood Festival of Speed. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  9. ^ Warner, Robin (31 July 2019). "Walk through 125 years of Mercedes motorsport history". Autoweek. ISSN 0192-9674. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  10. ^ Ernst, Kurt (11 June 2015). "Six decades on, a look back at the tragedy of the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans". Hemmings Motor News. ISSN 0049-1845. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  11. ^ "DTM | A Success Story". Mercedes-AMG. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  12. ^ Oagana, Alex (3 March 2014). "A Short History of The Mercedes-Benz C-Class in DTM". autoevolution. Archived from the original on 15 May 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  13. ^ Newbold, James (30 May 2020). "DTM made the "same mistakes" as ITC - 1996 champion Reuter". motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  14. ^ Alaniz, Anthony (28 April 2022). "McLaren F1, Porsche 911 GT1, Mercedes CLK GTR Compared In Detailed Video". motor1. Archived from the original on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  15. ^ a b Radu, Vlad (21 January 2022). "The Evolution of the Street Legal 911 GT1, the Most Outrageous Porsche of the '90s". autoevolution. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  16. ^ Goodwin, Graham (24 May 2020). "All The GT1s: Every Make & Model". Daily Sportscar. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  17. ^ Pulman, Ben (2 May 2019). "Porsche 956/962: all but perfect". car. ISSN 0008-5987. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  18. ^ Riegsinger, Johannes (31 January 2022). "Porsche-Hyper-Flunder der 1990er-Jahre". Autozeitung (in German). Archived from the original on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  19. ^ a b c Petroelje, Nathan (4 October 2019). "The "uplifting" tale of Mercedes' troubled CLK race car program". Hagerty. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  20. ^ a b "Mercedes Benz CLK GTR AMG specs & photos - 1998, 1999". autoevolution. 28 June 2021. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h Sugaris, Djordje (14 December 2020). "Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR – The Glorious Return to Top Tier Racing". Sportscar Digest. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  22. ^ Houghton, Grace (21 July 2021). "Mercedes-Benz' CLK GTR captures the barely-tamed spirit of '90s endurance racing". Hagerty. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  23. ^ a b Perkins, Chris (18 August 2017). "Mercedes Developed Its Championship-Winning CLK GTR in 128 Days". Road & Track. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  24. ^ Petrány, Máté (21 February 2013). "The Original Prototype For The Mercedes CLK-GTR Was A McLaren F1 GTR". Jalopnik. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  25. ^ Anderson, Brad (29 December 2019). "These Seven McLaren F1 Stories Will Leave You Stunned". Car Scoops. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  26. ^ a b "奔驰超跑回归之作:再看Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR AMG". 車誌 (in Chinese). 26 May 2021. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022 – via 知乎.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g Glon, Ronan (2 February 2015). "Classic: Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR". Winding Road. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  28. ^ a b c "1998 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR". RM Sotheby's. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  29. ^ Perkins, Chris (6 July 2018). "The Mercedes CLK GTR Was Homologated Six Days Before its First Race". Road & Track. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  30. ^ a b c d Catchpole, Henry (July 2021). "The Ones Wild". Octane. No. 217. p. 68. ISSN 1740-0023. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  31. ^ a b c d "Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR 6,9 Ltr" (PDF). HWA. 6 January 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  32. ^ "Mercedes-CLK-GTR Roadster" (PDF). HWA AG. 6 January 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  33. ^ a b c "Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Coupe 7,3 Ltr" (PDF). HWA AG. 6 January 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  34. ^ Kurylko, Diana; Farhi, Stephane; Ciferri, Luca; Kable, Greg; Bursa, Mark (1 September 1997). "Plenty To See At the Frankfurt Motor Show". Automotive News Europe. Frankfurt. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  35. ^ a b c Jurnecka, Rory (31 July 2018). "1998 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR Added to RM Sotheby's Monterey Auction". Motor Trend. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  36. ^ Lee, Kristen (27 August 2015). "Listen to the Roar of this Mercedes CLK GTR AMG Super Sport". Road & Track. Archived from the original on 29 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  37. ^ Jones, Edward (31 October 2017). "Mercedes CLK GTR: A True Supercar Unicorn". duPont Registry. ISSN 0890-362X. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  38. ^ Zurschmeide, Jeff (October 2015). "1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster". Sports Car Market. ISSN 1527-859X. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  39. ^ Frère, Paul (22 February 2016). "Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR: A Race Car You Can Drive on the Street". Road & Track. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  40. ^ a b "CLK GTR User's Guide". DK Engineering. 17 April 2021. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2022 – via YouTube.
  41. ^ "No CLK GTR". Autoweek. Vol. 48, no. 3. 19 January 1998. ISSN 0192-9674. Retrieved 4 September 2022 – via EBSCO Information Services.
  42. ^ Eason, Kevin (9 August 1999). "Pounds 1m for the car you may never drive". The Times. p. 3. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022 – via EBSCO Information Services, Gale.
  43. ^ "Mercedes Benz and DaimlerChrysler Sued for Failing to Fix World's Most Expensive 'Broken' Production Car". PR Newswire. 14 June 2006. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022 – via EBSCO Information Services, Gale.
  44. ^ "Supercar leaves sour taste". Herald Sun (1 ed.). 16 June 2006. p. 38. Retrieved 4 September 2022 – via EBSCO Information Services.
  45. ^ a b c Florea, Ciprian (8 July 2022). "World's Rarest and Most Mysterious Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Hits the Track". autoevolution. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  46. ^ a b Gilbertson, Sholto. "1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster Chassis no.WDB2973971Y000008". Bonhams. Goodwood Festival of Speed. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  47. ^ Smith, Kevin (October 2003). "CLK GTR: back, just for a few". Motor Trend. Vol. 55, no. 10. p. 53. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022 – via EBSCO Information Services, Gale.
  48. ^ Golden, Conner (29 May 2015). "Rare 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster to be Auctioned at Goodwood". Motor Trend. Online. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  49. ^ Thompson, Chris (17 January 2020). "The only black Mercedes CLK GTR Roadster is in Melbourne". Motor. ISSN 2653-374X. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  50. ^ Moro, Chirag. "Vijay Mallya's erstwhile car collection". Team BHP. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  51. ^ "2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster | Automobiles of London". RM Sotheby's. 28 October 2009. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  52. ^ Karanja, Earl (2 August 2013). "2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster to be Auctioned at Monterey 2013". GT Spirit. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  53. ^ Sergeev, Angel (17 April 2019). "Modern-Day CLK GTR Rendered As The One Supercar To Rule Them All". motor1. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  54. ^ "2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR". Girado. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  55. ^ "Bonhams: 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster Offered at Bonhams Festival of Speed" (Press release). Chichester: Bonhams. 26 June 2015. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  56. ^ Perkins, Chris (16 December 2020). "The 24 Hours of Le Mans Is Headed Toward a New Golden Era". Road & Track. ISSN 0035-7189. Archived from the original on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  57. ^ Wilkins, Adam (18 March 2017). "Gallery: GT1 endurance racers take to Goodwood". Goodwood Festival of Speed. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  58. ^ "The GT1 Era". DK Engineering. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  59. ^ Miles, Ben (25 April 2020). "Video: This FIA GT footage proves the '90s were better". Goodwood Festival of Speed. Archived from the original on 28 April 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  60. ^ Enright, Andy (8 July 2021). "The three-way car test of your dreams: McLaren F1 v 911 GT1 v CLK GTR". Motor. ISSN 2653-374X. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  61. ^ Anthony, Paul. "1998 FIA GT Championship, winner standings, and races – Motorsport Database". Motor Sport. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  62. ^ "1997 FIA GT Championship, winner standings, and races – Motorsport Database". Motor Sport. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.

External links[edit]