The diesel saga continued:
C 111-III
The achievements of the second generation model had got Mercedes quite excited by now and they pressed on with the third generation car. It would be a thoroughbred racing car with aerodynamic features refined down to the smallest detail and giving the car a Cd value of 0.183, the lowest rating ever achieved up to that point in time. The car had a longer wheelbase than the C 111-II, a narrower track, concealed wheels, a very low front end with recessed, powerful headlamps and a very long and tapering rear end with a central fin that was to enhance the car’s straightline stability under side wind conditions.
They continued down the diesel route with a turbocharged five cylinder diesel unit. The turbo span at 130,000rpm, pressing enough air into the combustion chambers to boost the output to 230 hp. They were aiming for 200mph!
Finally, on April 30, 1978, the time had come for the diesel-engined record car to drive lap after lap at constant speed on the Nardo track - anti-clockwise because this meant that the crash barriers were on the right-hand side, providing the drivers of the LHD cars with a greater safety margin in the event of an accident.
Hedgehog
At one stage during the night, radio communication saved a hedgehog’s life: it was rescued in time before crossing the racing car’s lane. More drama ensued when the rear tyre on the right-hand side burst during the third driver’s stint at night-time, tearing large holes into the bodywork. The recovery truck arrived on the scene quickly to pick up the damaged car and its uninjured driver, while the mechanics prepared the identical reserve car. After this incident, clocks were reset to zero and the hunt for records began anew.
The reserve car was even a whisker faster than the original car, and also a little more economical, extending the refueling intervals from 62 to 67 laps. The three drivers were soon joined and relieved by their extremely fast project manager, Dr. Hans Liebold.
All records established by the first car were bettered by the reserve car - despite another hedgehog splattering itself on the front spoiler!
After 12 hours of otherwise problem-free driving, Mercedes-Benz had nailed nine new absolute world records its own, i.e. records irrespective of the type of engine and its displacement.
Mark
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