As the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft/International Touring Car Championship had folded in late 1996, with both remaining competitors Opel and Alfa Romeo leaving due to the high costs of their 4WD designs, Mercedes-Benz had no top series to compete in.
With the success of the BPR Global GT Series leading to the FIA taking over and turning it into an international series, known as the FIA GT Championship, Mercedes-Benz saw an opportunity to go against manufacturers like Porsche and Ferrari.
FIA GT Championship, commenced in 1997 to great fanfare and eager enthusiasm. Mercedes-Benz AMG would have to enter the top-level GT1 class and compete head-on with the astounding Porsche 911 GT1 and BMW-powered McLaren F1. In this sense, the upper echelon of FIA GT racing was essentially a battle between Germany’s top three automotive competitors. In order to participate in FIA GT, however, 25 homologated road cars had to be produced by each manufacturer. Not surprisingly, these limited production cars were instantly collectible and highly sought-after.
Among the first GT1 racers were the Porsche / Dauer 962 and McLaren F1 McLaren’s Le Mans victory inspired Mercedes-Benz to design their own GT1 car.
Unlike the McLaren F1 development, Mercedes-Benz and AMG set out to design a race car first and derive a road going version from it. The task was a monumental one; AMG had only four months to design, build, and test a viable and competitive race car and its road-going brother, with the intent of winning and doing so repeatedly. As there is no replacement for simple pencil and paper, the original designs were crafted as such and then perfected through the use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) before being translated into 1/5 scale three-dimensional clay models. Early in 1997, the proposed engine for the CLK GTR, a 6.9-liter V-12, was already undergoing rigorous testing from AMG’s expert engineers. The bodywork would be made entirely of carbon fiber, and would feature many aerodynamic design elements and cooling openings in order to survive on the race track.
To test the CLK GTR before the first chassis were built, Mercedes-AMG actually took an unusual measure. Through secrecy, Mercedes-AMG was able to purchase a disused McLaren F1 GTR, the defending BPR GT series champion, from Larbre Compétition. This purchase first allowed Mercedes-AMG to see the kind of lap times that their competitors could run, to serve as a measurement of the CLK GTRs abilities. However, more importantly, Mercedes-AMG set about modifying this F1 GTR by attaching bodywork that was meant to go on the CLK GTRs. This allowed Mercedes-AMG to be able to perfect the aerodynamics of the car before it had even been built.
By March of the same year, the other two components of AMG’s three-pronged racing campaign were in full swing: the American CART series kicked off in Homestead, Florida and the new McLaren-Mercedes MP412 made its debut at the Formula One Grand Prix of Melbourne, where its victory marked the first win of a Silver Arrow since 1955.
AMG, however, saved the best for last, as its mechanics worked round the clock on their most impressive product to date. Finally, only 128 days after the first sketches were conceived on paper, the very first CLK GTR took to the track in Spain.
Mercedes veteran Bern Schneider, along with AMG’s young gun, Alexander Wurz, tested the car with extremely successful results. Norbert Haug immediately called Hans-Werner Aufrecht from the pits at the Brazilian Grand Prix to see how testing was proceeding in Spain. Mr. Aufrecht, grinning, understated the car’s performance and said, “Er fährt…sieht gut aus” (It runs…and looks good). Needless to say, the project was green lighted by Mercedes’ board of directors. AMG had declared all-out war that the likes of which the motorsport world had never seen.
The CLK GTR did more than just run. After only four months, AMG had produced two race-ready CLKs and one homologated road version, with 300 prospective buyers eagerly waiting in line. This first CLK GTR for the streets was presented to FIA Head of Constructors Gabriel Katringer on Monday, April 1, 1997, only six days before its race-ready brethren would make their debut at Germany’s home track, the Hockenheimring. Bernd Schneider not only picked up fastest lap honors but also pole position in the CLK GTR’s maiden voyage.
Unfortunately the new cars were not able to shine, as brake problems eliminated one car after five laps, and the other finished over 20 laps behind the winning McLaren. However by the next round at Silverstone, the CLK GTR began to show its pace, finishing less than a second behind the winning McLaren. By the fourth round, returning to Germany for the Nürburgring, a third CLK GTR was added to the team. In this race, Mercedes-Benz successfully outperformed the fleet of McLarens, taking first and second places. The team would finish out the season with five more wins, at A1-Ring, Suzuka, Donington, Sebring, and Laguna Seca. Talented drivers like Bernd Schneider and Klaus Ludwig piloting the CLK GTR, racked up victory after victory. At the end of the 1997 season Schneider was crowned World Champion.
However a victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours was one step too far for the Stuttgart team.
Here is the season review of 1997 FIA GT Championship. We can see even a crash test with CLK GTR in this video.
The CLK GTR was brought out twice more in the first races of 1998 and scored a victory in both. The remaining 8 races for the championship were won by its replacement the CLK LM. However privateer team Persson Motorsport would campaign two CLK GTRs throughout the entire season, taking a best finish of second at Oschersleben before finishing the year third in the teams championship.
Initially the CLK-GTR’s V12 engine produced approximately 600 hp (450 kW) before developments during the 1997 season increased this to 630 hp (470 kW). Persson Motorsport’s CLK GTRs remained at this power output as Mercedes-AMG had moved to development of the V8 in the CLK GTR AMG LM.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQPO80YxjLk
A superb documentary about the construction of CLK GTR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkwrcX1-WbY
8. The C111 design study was originally baptized , the C101 project. However, the “0 (zero)” in the middle had to disappear , since this number combination has long been protected by....
Dec 17 2014
1997 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR AMG
As the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft/International Touring Car Championship had folded in late 1996, with both remaining competitors Opel and Alfa Romeo leaving due to the high costs of their 4WD designs, Mercedes-Benz had no top series to compete in.
With the success of the BPR Global GT Series leading to the FIA taking over and turning it into an international series, known as the FIA GT Championship, Mercedes-Benz saw an opportunity to go against manufacturers like Porsche and Ferrari.
FIA GT Championship, commenced in 1997 to great fanfare and eager enthusiasm. Mercedes-Benz AMG would have to enter the top-level GT1 class and compete head-on with the astounding Porsche 911 GT1 and BMW-powered McLaren F1. In this sense, the upper echelon of FIA GT racing was essentially a battle between Germany’s top three automotive competitors. In order to participate in FIA GT, however, 25 homologated road cars had to be produced by each manufacturer. Not surprisingly, these limited production cars were instantly collectible and highly sought-after.
Among the first GT1 racers were the Porsche / Dauer 962 and McLaren F1 McLaren’s Le Mans victory inspired Mercedes-Benz to design their own GT1 car.
Unlike the McLaren F1 development, Mercedes-Benz and AMG set out to design a race car first and derive a road going version from it. The task was a monumental one; AMG had only four months to design, build, and test a viable and competitive race car and its road-going brother, with the intent of winning and doing so repeatedly. As there is no replacement for simple pencil and paper, the original designs were crafted as such and then perfected through the use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) before being translated into 1/5 scale three-dimensional clay models. Early in 1997, the proposed engine for the CLK GTR, a 6.9-liter V-12, was already undergoing rigorous testing from AMG’s expert engineers. The bodywork would be made entirely of carbon fiber, and would feature many aerodynamic design elements and cooling openings in order to survive on the race track.
To test the CLK GTR before the first chassis were built, Mercedes-AMG actually took an unusual measure. Through secrecy, Mercedes-AMG was able to purchase a disused McLaren F1 GTR, the defending BPR GT series champion, from Larbre Compétition. This purchase first allowed Mercedes-AMG to see the kind of lap times that their competitors could run, to serve as a measurement of the CLK GTRs abilities. However, more importantly, Mercedes-AMG set about modifying this F1 GTR by attaching bodywork that was meant to go on the CLK GTRs. This allowed Mercedes-AMG to be able to perfect the aerodynamics of the car before it had even been built.
By March of the same year, the other two components of AMG’s three-pronged racing campaign were in full swing: the American CART series kicked off in Homestead, Florida and the new McLaren-Mercedes MP412 made its debut at the Formula One Grand Prix of Melbourne, where its victory marked the first win of a Silver Arrow since 1955.
AMG, however, saved the best for last, as its mechanics worked round the clock on their most impressive product to date. Finally, only 128 days after the first sketches were conceived on paper, the very first CLK GTR took to the track in Spain.
Mercedes veteran Bern Schneider, along with AMG’s young gun, Alexander Wurz, tested the car with extremely successful results. Norbert Haug immediately called Hans-Werner Aufrecht from the pits at the Brazilian Grand Prix to see how testing was proceeding in Spain. Mr. Aufrecht, grinning, understated the car’s performance and said, “Er fährt…sieht gut aus” (It runs…and looks good). Needless to say, the project was green lighted by Mercedes’ board of directors. AMG had declared all-out war that the likes of which the motorsport world had never seen.
The CLK GTR did more than just run. After only four months, AMG had produced two race-ready CLKs and one homologated road version, with 300 prospective buyers eagerly waiting in line. This first CLK GTR for the streets was presented to FIA Head of Constructors Gabriel Katringer on Monday, April 1, 1997, only six days before its race-ready brethren would make their debut at Germany’s home track, the Hockenheimring. Bernd Schneider not only picked up fastest lap honors but also pole position in the CLK GTR’s maiden voyage.
Unfortunately the new cars were not able to shine, as brake problems eliminated one car after five laps, and the other finished over 20 laps behind the winning McLaren. However by the next round at Silverstone, the CLK GTR began to show its pace, finishing less than a second behind the winning McLaren. By the fourth round, returning to Germany for the Nürburgring, a third CLK GTR was added to the team. In this race, Mercedes-Benz successfully outperformed the fleet of McLarens, taking first and second places. The team would finish out the season with five more wins, at A1-Ring, Suzuka, Donington, Sebring, and Laguna Seca. Talented drivers like Bernd Schneider and Klaus Ludwig piloting the CLK GTR, racked up victory after victory. At the end of the 1997 season Schneider was crowned World Champion.
However a victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours was one step too far for the Stuttgart team.
Here is the season review of 1997 FIA GT Championship. We can see even a crash test with CLK GTR in this video.
The CLK GTR was brought out twice more in the first races of 1998 and scored a victory in both. The remaining 8 races for the championship were won by its replacement the CLK LM. However privateer team Persson Motorsport would campaign two CLK GTRs throughout the entire season, taking a best finish of second at Oschersleben before finishing the year third in the teams championship.
Initially the CLK-GTR’s V12 engine produced approximately 600 hp (450 kW) before developments during the 1997 season increased this to 630 hp (470 kW). Persson Motorsport’s CLK GTRs remained at this power output as Mercedes-AMG had moved to development of the V8 in the CLK GTR AMG LM.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQPO80YxjLk
A superb documentary about the construction of CLK GTR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkwrcX1-WbY
By Catalin Varvara • FIA GT, MB MotorSports 0 • Tags: 1997 CLK, 1997 CLK GTR AMG, benz, clk amg, CLK GTR, CLK GTR AMG, CLK GTR LM, CLK LM, Mercedes, mercedes clk, mercedes-benz