Marking 130 years of motorsport history, Mercedes-Benz put on a spectacular show at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, with iconic vehicles like the W 25, C 11, CLK LM, and the “Blue Wonder” leading the convoy. The Duke of Richmond graced the event, driving a 1924 Mercedes 2-liter Targa Florio race car, highlighting the historical significance of Mercedes-Benz racing cars over the past century.
The festival, often dubbed the “largest motorized garden party in the world,” saw Mercedes-Benz presenting a fascinating parade that enthralled the audience. The convoy was led by the “Blue Wonder” racing car fast transporter, a fan favorite both in person and on social media. This iconic transporter, capable of reaching speeds up to 170 km/h in 1955, carried a Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Formula 1 car, the same type in which Juan Manuel Fangio clinched World Championships in 1954 and 1955.
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Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH, emphasized the brand’s deep-rooted motorsport heritage dating back to 1894, where Daimler-engine vehicles won the first automobile challenge in France. He highlighted the significance of showcasing milestones from various decades at Goodwood, with cars that have achieved outstanding racing successes. According to Breitschwerdt, the parade represented 130 years of innovation and racing excellence, a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s enduring legacy in motorsport.
In a nod to the past, Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, joined Marcus Breitschwerdt for a demonstration drive in the restored 1924 Mercedes 2-litre Targa Florio race car. The Duke, who has been hosting the Goodwood Festival of Speed since 1993, expressed his delight at seeing the historic parade and relished the experience of being a passenger in the legendary Targa Florio car.
The Mercedes-Benz parade featured a variety of iconic racing cars:
- 1955 Mercedes-Benz racing car express transporter: Known as the “Blue Wonder,” powered by the engine from the 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198).
- 1955 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Formula 1 racing car: The car with which Mercedes-Benz made a triumphant return to Grand Prix racing.
- 1924 Mercedes 2-litre Targa Florio racing car: Celebrating 100 years since its victory in the grueling Sicilian road race.
- 1934 Mercedes-Benz 750-kilogram W 25 formula racing car: The first of the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows, debuted in the 1934 Eifel race.
- 1990 Mercedes-Benz C 11 Group C racing sports car: Dominated the World Sportscar Championship, securing a double title.
- 1998 Mercedes-Benz GT racing sports car CLK LM: Achieved an undefeated record in the FIA GT Championship races it entered.
- 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 (C 197): Claimed a one-two-three victory in the 24 Hours of Dubai.
- Mercedes-AMG GT3 “RAW SPEC”: A cutting-edge customer sports racing car developed with RACE SERVICE.
- Mercedes-AMG GT3 “130 Years”: A special edition celebrating the brand’s 130 years in motorsport.
Mercedes-Benz brand ambassadors shared their thoughts on driving these legendary cars at Goodwood:
- Jochen Mass spoke about the powerful and emotive experience of driving the Mercedes-Benz C 11, a car with almost 750 hp.
- Karl Wendlinger appreciated the remarkable engineering of the 2-litre Targa Florio car and the W 25, highlighting their impressive performance for their time.
- Bernd Mayländer praised the Festival of Speed for bringing together motorsport and automotive history, enjoying his drive in the W 25 and the SLS AMG GT3.
- Klaus Ludwig reminisced about his victorious 1998 season with the CLK LM, enjoying the opportunity to drive the car again at Goodwood.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed provided a vibrant platform for Mercedes-Benz to celebrate its rich motorsport heritage, engaging fans and car enthusiasts with a display of automotive excellence spanning more than a century.
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