European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - March 1, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Wednesday March 1, 1989 the stars and stripes Page 25 f-1 Mercedes should go for racing Roundup Daimler Benz of Stuttgart terming its return to racing a new Slart stressed again last week thai participation in formula one racing is not in the foreseeable future and thai Louring car and sports car racing is what it s nil about where Mer cedes is concerned. Along with ruling out formula one racing inter National rallying was also Given thumbs Down by Daimler Benz because of its danger to spectators an subsequent poor Public image. These decisions arid the details of its 1989 racing program were confirmed during an International press conference at the company s private hotel in Summ Arbuckel Las Friday. During the meeting Daimler Benz officials predicted that sports car Rac ing would soon become As popular As formula one racing is today and thai sports car racing is the proper Selling for us to prove our competitiveness and our competence in technology on Long  Mercedes officials arc Basing their sports car Rac ing program on the fact that normally aspirated 3.5 Flitcr engines also to be used in formula one will be Standard for i Etc National sports car racing by 1991, and that the new rules will be effective through the year 2000. Along with the world sports car championship Daimler Benz  its participation in the German touring car championship with its 190 e series can modified for group a racing. A new 190 a Evo ution Model with a 2.5-liter, 16-valve engine will make its debut at the Mainz Fithen races on May 14.-. But Back to group c sports car racing where Sauber Mercedes cars were highly successful with five victories Las season in Daimler Benz first year Back. While members of the International racing press did not question the Daimler Benz position on its drive for technical Progress within the sports car Rac ing area the idea of sports car racing becoming As popular As formula one was greeted with open scepticism and the firm s decision id go sport car racing rather than formula one racing also appeared subtly under a Shadow but was never open to question. One reporter painted out that it has taken 39 years for formula one to reach its Peak the modern championship started in 1950and under the leadership of Crnic Eccl Stone it stands unchallenged in popularity. How he asked Wiit group c rival for Mula one within two or three years Jirgen Hubbert who Wilh Rudolf Hal ring both on the Hoard of management is responsible for the Moi Orson concept answered this question and Many similar ones by repeating that the Long term rules and stable regulations in sports car racing vill make it As popular As formula one. He also noted thai  has agreed to support International sports car racing. Hubber pointed out that along with Mercedes and Jaguar Many other manufacturers Are coming into sports car racing Peugeot Aston Martin Toyota Mazda arid Nissan and that Daimler Benz wants to race against Mihcic car makers. We have not returned to rating to sell cigarettes and sausages Hubb Crl said an obvious chop at formula one where commercialism and advertising run rampant. Hubbert said that croup c sports car racing has been accepted by world manufacturers who can Wield great influence that it now has Long term regulations it has support from dec Eyestone and support from the a fration  Ilu Spori Aluni Obilt with this Type of bricking we at Daimler Benz think shul group c racing has a future Hubbert said and that it should be promoted to the highest Leset including television coverage. We arc confident about the future Daimler a kiss has Good reason to be conf conf. Ai i Ujj aubur Mercedes cars were highly successful in their first year of Competition in the world sports car championship. Fielding two can in each race Mercedes won five events in 98b to Jaguar s six and finished second to Jaguar in the series. This season. Mercedes is rated the favorite by mos observers. The 1989 plans Call for the participation of two car teams in All nine races with three cars in the 24 in lieu of formula one racing Daimler Benz trill contest touring cars top and sports curs Button. Probably nol but Ihen who knobs ail for n  the world wide Maiure and racing history of Daimler Ben no one especially Ilii German fan will Ever be satisfied until a Seiil Rit is made a the highest level. In for a Penny in fora Pound us the a relish saying goes and his should be the Gamble Daimler Benz is willing to make. Or As we americans say go for  turning to croup a Seishin icing. Daimler Benz officials said thai Only Llie German touring car championship is on its program and thai three factory supported learns Wiir Eon Lesl this series. Mercedes cars scored is vicidriys1 in. Las years championship a 12-race series iliai1 Ait raced 470,000 spectators. The touring car season last a Cir nne in pleas ure  respects Hviid Wolfgang Ivler. Director of research for passenger Cor. On one hand last season showed us that Louring car racing is sex trim cry popular in Germany and on the other hand our expectations it Giordi Rig the compel Ilive capacity of the Mercedes 190 e.2.3-16 have been More than full lied in the first Molon ports season thanks to the efforts of All Mercedes  while All three teams arc equipped Wilh tilt Lotical material motor Chassis Etc the individual race agreements allow each learn to select us own tire companies with Dunlop Pirelli and my Helin involved. We asked if Daimler Ben had any plans for Rac ing in the United Stales with the i to e cars in trans am or im5a As Audi is Doinel. And the answer was nol now but in could come  the porsche cd Tolj of America Ger Many Region Wilt Mecl on March 12 at Lindsay air station in Wiesbaden to conduct j quiz on various porsche cars the Germany Region in Eom pc Ilion against the Hawaii and alas la regions. The meeting will Lake place Al 1 . In the Lind say consolidated club building 200ui. A Brunch will be served for members who arrive before 1p.m. Owners of porsche can into rested in joining the club should Contact membership chairman Mike Sec Fen Mainz army Depol Bax ii a to 09185 Home phone 06132-87488. Tlw5t1 Ihl Swan hours of la mans. Returning to drive Are Jochen mass of Germany Jean Louis Schlusser of France Mauro Bald i of Italy and Kenny Acheson of North Ern Ireland an International team. To Chart a car Pinisch one of the world s top Long distance sports car Drivers during the 1960s, is team manager. German Champion Klaus Ludwig a three time la mans Winner will also drive in this june s 24 hour classic la will be his Only sports car appear Ance the rest of his races scheduled in the German championship aboard an am Mercedes 190 e. The engine of the Sauber Mercedes c9, the 5 Liler. V8 from the a scrips with . By Turbo Charger two valves per Cylinder with 700 horse Power will be replaced this season by the new and More powerful four valve per Cylinder engine. Beginning in 1991, Only normally aspirated 3.5 liter engines will he allowed As noted Cartier and Daimler Benz says it is developing an engine Des tined for a Acihl in the 1990s. O in his talk that opened the press conference Board member Hubbert pointed out that when Daimler Benz officials first discussed. A return 16 racing the problem was to meet the successes and triumphs Mercedes cars racked up in the 1950s. There Are big changes and the sport is More professional today by far Hubbert said. It is no longer possible today to be at the top right from tic Start. The narrow Edge Between Victory and defeat often amounts to Lechniak expertise. We Are pleased with what we achieved during our first year Back in ,1988, and we think that this season will be evea More  despite what Hubbert says about it not being possible to be at the lop right from the Start the fact is that Mercedes is nearly there already the Sauber Mercedes team was run Crup to Jaguar last year and its Driver Schlusser was also runner up in the Driver s championship. And Mercedes could Well win All the marbles this year in Only its second season out would this have happened in formula one grand prix racing