Just came across this picture, a bit late...
http://www.24heures4x4.fr ML430 wins 24 hours Paris 4x4 2002
18/09/2002: The 10th edition of the 24 hour Paris 4x4 race crowned a standard vehicle, a Groine Mercedes ML 430, driven by Thierry Magnaldi in rally raids. Thierry teamed up with other members of TEAM Groine: Jipé Strugo, George Lansac and the Spaniard José Villalba. Congratulations to these 4 men for the exploit carried out this weekend, vis-a-vis a very large and tough field. Commented Magnaldi: "I teamed with George Lansac, Jean-Pierre Strugo and José Villaba. The race wasn't easy. We had set up two teams, one for the day and one for the night. I ran at night with Lansac. The car functioned very well and we didn't have any concern with it." Three other MLs finished, one even in the top 15.
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/trips.html