Hi Everyone, happy to be the first one to post an article on Dash Z Racing in 2009. What in the world! I had a crazy new year vacation and I am becoming a fat monkey! Wish all our readers have a wonderful 2009 as well.
The Mercedes Benz CLK-GTR was born to race on the track. The CLK-GTR Roadster was mainly built by HWA GmbH, a company with a long history in Mercedes Benz racing. A limited edition road-going version of the Mercedes Benz CLK-GTR was built in a limited edition of 25 units. After the CLK GTR won all World Championships titles it competed for in 1997 and 1998, the FIA GT1 class was cancelled in 1999 as no competitor turned for the event. Mercedes was contractually obliged to produce and deliver the 25 cars (as per the FIA GT rules). These cars were built by AMG at their Affalterbach factory between the winter of 1998 and summer of 1999 ( excerpt taken from CLK GTR AMG SuperSport).
There was a slight difference between the road version of the CLK and the sport version.They were not refined enough because modifications were prohibited by the rules and any modifications would have been very expensive.
After the 25 original CLK-GTR’s were built. HWA got down to modify the existing CLK-GTR chassis and also created additional cars from spare chassis. The final outcome of these modifications was 5 CLK GTR AMG Roadsters. These were modified by removing the roof and adding on the rollover bars.
Though only 25 cars were ever built by AMG. The CLK still remains one of the best sportscars ever built. And I have got the satisfaction of at least owning the scale down model of the CLK if not the real one.
The CLK GTR was build around a carbon fiber monocoque with the V12 engine mounted at the back right behind the passenger seats. If you look at other Mercedes, they all give you a high class elegant look; however, the Mercedes Benz CLK GTR has a totally different racing appearance. The body, however, reminded in some details like classic Mercedes, such as the Mercedes Benz front grille and the Benz style four headlights. The CLK GTR 7.3L engine is with 600 horsepower, and is developed from the 5.9L Mercedes Benz M120 engine unit from S600 road cars. CLK-GTR is a real wheel drive racing car, and were driven through a 6 speed paddle shift transmission. With no doubt, this CLK-GTR is not affordable by most of us ( poor monkey like me! ). Pricing is about $1,250,000 USD ( Am I missing any zero after the 125? ). Yes! About 1.5 million Dollar! I guess most of you guys have no hope driving this home, but I just want to tell all of you, there is a chance you can drive the Mercedes Benz CLK GTR, and I mean everyone can do that – the way is to turn on your “Need for speed” and drive it in PS3~~ Enjoy!
Reference Links:
http://www.supercarsite.net/mercedes–benz/clk–gtr-roadster/2002
http://www.supercars.net/cars/2225.html
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