Bit more info on the CLR crashes. The first time Webber took off it didn’t really flip, it just kind of took off then crashed back down onto its wheels. As there was no footage Mercedes initially basically refused to believe Webber about what had happened. The car was heavily damaged but repaired in time for the race. Some sources say a spare monocoque was delivered from Germany so it is unknown exactly how many CLR chassis Mercedes actually built. Webber’s second flip in the warmup for the race is exactly as you described it, landed on its roof and that was game over for it. Also absolutely correct about the aero mods, consulting Adrian Newey etc. The drivers were all asked and basically given the option to pull out but none did. When Dumbreck took off it was at the same place as Webber’s first crash, a very bumpy part of the track over a crest, he was closely following the Toyota, something they had been instructed not to do (I mean they are racing what was he meant to do), you’ll observe on the footage just before the crash he doesn’t follow Boutsen directly over the Mulsanne hump, he goes into the other lane. When he took off the car landed in a recently cleared section of trees, the car landed on its wheels, a tree stump came right up through the bottom of the cockpit where the passengers seat would be (if there was one) Dumbreck was very very lucky, he had concussion but other than being a bit battered and bruised had no injuries. Had the trees not been cleared or had he landed a few inches away he would quite probably have been killed. The last remaining car was immediately retired from the race and the rumours were that Mercedes destroyed the car. That wasn’t the case as it reappeared in 2009. It has appeared in public a handful of times, Mercedes had it for a display of the career of their driver Bernd Schneider in 2013 (I think), it is believed to be in the hands of a private collector. It still looks exactly as is did in 1999, only difference is the headlight lenses look yellow, don’t know if they were changed to that or if they have just yellowed with age. There are a few theories and se excellent videos explaining why it took off. Basically it had a long body in comparison to its wheelbase (as did most cars of its ilk, eg 911 GT1) so had big over hangs in front of the front wheels and behind the rear wheels. This coupled with an aerodynamic instability essentially made the car pitch back back and forth. At the extreme this stalled the aero and created lift under the front of the car, the rear wing still created a huge amount of downforce so this essentially acted as a leaver to flip the car. This was something inherent in the design, when you watch footage of it you can see it bucking and diving under braking and acceleration, the CLK GTR had this trait too but the effect wasn’t extreme enough for it to take off. Shame as it was an absolutely beautiful car with an engine note to die for.
I feel like Mercedes might be a little bit superstitious when it comes to Le Mans. Between the airborne CLR's to the 1955 crash, they have the two most ill fated years as a race team at Le Sarthe.
McLaren: "Everything about this car is well thought, the wind flows through the F1 like butter" Mercedes: "Let's put the pop-up bonnet logo cause we're Mercedes"
I hope Mercedes-Benz returns to Lemans Prototype racing. The level of risk they took with the CLR is what's needed. It brings out the most amazing cars that engineers can fathom
Need for Speed Road Challenge (High Stakes), from the year 1999, was the first racing video game I bought. That game made the CLK GTR one of my favorite cars when I was young.
Thank you Lucas! It's getting more every day 😉 It's still a very young channel and I'm just getting started. So I'm very happy about these 2k. But look at my other videos. They are just as good and literally NOBODY is watching 😂😂😂
@@Gullwingman My only suggestion is maybe invest in a different or better microphone, it was hard to listen to at times with my headset because of how much bass there was everytime you spoke. Still thoroughly enjoyed it other then that though :)
King Car in NFS3 and alkso funn in nfs4 and HP2 in 2002 on ps2 :D thats what inspired me on my game making with this car :D Norwegian you too that Loves the old NFS Games, the real nfs Games :D Jeg bruker VEG modern patch for nfs3 og nfs4 for windows 10 :D nfs2 har faktisk en open source på github slik at virker på win10 :)
I really like this era of Mercedes history, the CLK DTM, CLK GTR, CLK LM and CLR and the C208, C209 and C215 road cars from which the race cars were styled. I think some of the coolest race and road cars ever made.
I’m impressed with your delivery. You’re the most interesting non-actor I’ve been able to watch. I think it’s great, encouraging people to be themselves
Great video. I really like your way of presenting with the cuts back to you when you want to emphasize something. Also that must have taken a lot of research so thank you.
Its good to have a video that educates people that these were, 3 different cars, not the same car too many people think the CLK GTR and the CLR are the same car, and there not at all, look closely and you will see the differences, the evolution year on year was clear for all to see. It raced in one of the golden eras of racing, against some very special machines. Of course the confusion between the CLK GTR and its replacement the CLK LM is more understandable since the CLK GTR raced into the 1998 season, even after it was replaced by the CLK LM, the CLK GTR continued to be raced by a customer team, Pearson Motorsport. 1997 The CLK GTR went head to head, with the McLaren F1 GTR Longtail, the title battle between Bernd Shnider and JJ Lehto went to the last race, with Mercedes narrowly beating BMW Motorsport in both driver and constructors titles. 1998 The CLK LM took on the Porsche 911 GT1 '98 to defend its titles, (BMW had pulled out for 1998) but at most tracks the CLK LM was more than a match for the Porsche, with, Mercedes winning all 10 rounds, only losing at Le Mans where Porsche finished 1-2. 1999 The CLR raced against the Toyota GT-One at Le Mans, though the GT One was faster, qualifying 1-2, the CLR was close to it in the race until its dramatic flip put paid to Mercedes 1999 Le Mans bid, Toyota looked set to win but suffered a tyre failure on its GT-One, handing victory to the BMW V12 LMR.
@@AdamTheMan1993 Yes, and, the physical evolution was significant, the only thing that was the, same, was they were both Silver, and they were both Mercedes race cars, other, than that 2 different machines.
Love your content. The stories are interesting and its in chronological order. This is indeed one of my fav car and now i have more infos about it. Thanks.
I saw the GTR race at Laguna Seca. That was what made me a fan of Mercedes and I've been a fan ever since. I saw the model of the car in the background. I have that one also. I also have the AutoArt 1/12 scale model that is the centerpiece of my model collection.
Hey man , i really like this video proper story telling , very informative. Keep up the great work , this material is very hard to find as it is not mainstream ,
Great video! I love how you put the whole history of these cars together. While the sad end for these cars was bad, I would put forth that the Mercedes Lemans crash of 1955 might be the worst point in the marks racing history. thanks for the great video!
It's kinda funny and cool at the same time seeing so many people who first learned learned of this car through video games. I bought the 1:18 scale model 20'ish years ago and also remember seeing one for sale in AutoWeek for $1million many years ago. It wasn't there the following week.
I just found this, excellent, good commentary and explanations. subbed, Love me a good Le Mans Car, especially a flier. Remember seeing that on tv, and McNish's Audi smash.
Such a cool looking car. I am amazed I have never seen the CLK version with red side mirrors since the car came out and was all the rage. Such a cool stylistic choice.. THank you for this video !
