Dakar in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007
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Blue sky and water with brilliant silver
Mercedes ML
In the mountains
Granite, granite and more granite
Departing from the lake's north shore we followed the dam, then descended
through the spillway onto solid granite. Unedited uploads from the camera.
On the rocks.
Showing the Mercedes brush guard, or buffalo bumper as the French
call it.
Driving in the rocks with a stock
ML320
Our Mercedes 4X4 on the rocks. Find the jeep rock crawling in the
background and coming up on us? That rig carried a two-way radio.
Hot Wax ML prototype testing in the Sahara:
Put the foot down
Harald's Baja Escape
"Use your SUV for what it was intended for. Explore the unknown -
get away. As far as your 4x4 will take you. Only your dreams are your
limits."
1998 M-Class Death Valley Spring Trip with Harald Pietschmann
2000 Paris Dakar Cairo
Paris to Dakar is one of the toughest races around, a marathon race
crossing the Sahara desert. In 2000 Mercedes M-Classes participated
for the first time and placed first and third in the toughest category
- unmodified production class - T1 Marathon.
In 1982 Georges Groine won in a Mercedes Unimog. In 1983
Jacky Ickx won in a Mercedes 280GE G-wagen and Georges Groine won the
truck division with a Mercedes Actros 1936 AK.
1. 263 Jean-Pierre Strugo - Serge Ducoutumany T1 (ML430)
3. 293 Thierry Charbonnier - Claude Demota T1 (ML430)
10. 301 Thierry Magnaldi - Francois Borsotto T1 (ML320) (incl 2h penalty)
14. 313 Jean-Pierre Ducroux - Michel Chartez T1 (ML430)
withdrew after 6 days: 307 Edmond Pelichet - Dominique Petitjean T1 (ML320)
withdrew after 2 days: 262 Philippe Alliot - Bruno Cattarelli T1 (ML430)
Strugo on the Dakar. Photo by Michelin
Mercedes M-Class carries off two trophies in Cross Country World Cup in 2000
"Jean-Pierre Strugo wins "Marathon Trophy" in ML430.
The outstanding success is attributed to the technical superiority
of the electronic traction system and the V8 power. The M-Class showed
its colors in the toughest rallies in the world. Mercedes takes
manufacturers' title." Jean-Pierre Strugo uses BFGoodrich (Michelin) sand
desert racing tires.
TOTAL-PARIS-DAKAR 2001
353 vehicles entered.
Mercedes teams which made it all the way to Dakar. The MLs compete in the
toughest category - unmodified production vehicle.
team 227 Thierry Magnaldi - Francois Borsotto - ML430
team 216 Jean-Pierre Strugo - Pascal Larroque - ML430
team 292 Georges Lansac - Jean Robert Jacqmard - ML430
team 414 Marcheix - Sylvain - Moquet - Actros 1935 AK 8M
team 434 Corrado Pattono - Michel Plateau - Unimog
team 410 Malferiol - Sanz Castro - Palmer - Actros 1935 AK
team 420 Juventeny - Marco - Criado - Actros 2635 AK
team 430 Petit - Dubuco - Bruckner - Actros 1936 AK 19
team 422 Pujol Creus - Legal - Lammer - Actros 2635
team 404 Stefano Calzi - Gasparino Langella - Gianmarco Fossa - Unimog
Photos scanned by Guy de Wulf
 Pierre Lartique on the Dakar 2001 |
 Yves Morize and Jean Louis Dronne |
Ritsuka Noshiro on the Dakar 2001 |
Jpe Strugo on the Dakar 2001 |
 Thierry Magnaldi fills up in Tichit |
Russian police department visits MBUSA and orders 47 M-Classes
ML320s in service at the Lancashire Constabulary
2001 Death Valley Spring Trip with Harald Pietschmann
Baja Italy 2001
Thierry Magnaldi ran in the 2001 Italian Baja and was leading,
in heavy rain, when a shock absorber failed. After losing an hour
to repair, he finished fourth (T1 Marathon).
2001 Rallye of Tunisia
232 vehicles entered, 6 MLs, a G-wagen, a Mercedes
Proto, and an Actros 1935.
Teams who completed eight stages to the finish in Tunis:
team 204: Jean-Pierre Strugo and Pascal Larroque - ML430
team 206: Thierry Magnaldi, Francois Borsotto - ML430 (transfer case problem 2 mi from finish, 3h)
team 222: Didier Mallinjoud and Antoine Groine - ML430
team 264: Philippe Bertin and Henri Hudelot - Mercedes Proto
team 220: Johnny Hallyday and Andre Boudou - ML430
Bike Racing legend Barry Sheene drives a ML55AMG
in the Targa Tasmania in Australia, April 18-24, 2001.
Highway Number One: Highway at the Start of the World
Snow in the Sierra
We are in the Sierra Nevada at about 9000 feet and chain control zones
were enforced. The snow is about 4 feet deep on this photo. Driver: Tony.
Thierry Magnaldi
Rallye OPRI MAROC 2001
5. 208 MAGNALDI BORSOTTO ML430
7. 220 HALLYDAY BOUDOU ML430
8. 219 DUCROUX ANTONIOLLI ML430
- 234 BAUR ROTHAMEL ORC ML430 with mechanical diff locks
M-Classes won the 2001 Master Rallye
in the unmodified production category
1. Georges Lansac and Jean Robert Jacquemard, ML430
2. Jean-Pierre Strugo and Pascal Larroque, ML430
4. Jean Yves Menguy and Veronique Menguy, ML320
Most Toyota Landcruisers gave up.
Big Bend National Park, the Panther Gap Ranger Station. by Curt Rich
Tired of using it for grocery shopping... by Tom Deckowski
Team ORC
ORC's ML430 with mechanical diff locks competes in the UAE Desert Challenge
Jean-Pierre Strugo wins the
2001 UAE Desert Challenge in Dubai in a Groine developed production ML430.
ORC entered two interesting heavily modified vehicles, a ML430 and a
G560. The ML430 sports a completely redesigned suspension with 25
instead of 20 centimeters wheel travel and 37 centimeter ground clearance.
Three mechanical diff locks were installed.
The frame and chassis were lightened, decreasing the overall weight
by 400 kg. Racing took just 3 hours longer than Jean-Pierre's 20 hour overall
time in a production ML430, and it finished on place 8, a great success,
and the fastest German team. It was driven by ORC's owner Hans E. Baur,
a FIA rated cross-country driver,
accompanied by front seat passenger Andreas Lennartz who
constructed the prototype. The wide sand tires may have slowed the car.
The lockers didn't result in any apparent advantage, to the contrary,
it may have been better to leave 4ETS unchanged.
The ORC modified G560 with a strong 5.6 liter V8 bent
the rear axle on the first day, and repair was allowed under prototype
rules. But electrical problems the next day forced a withdrawal.
G-wagens largely disappeared from tough desert races after the mid
eighties. When the going gets tough, the tough get going: The M-Class.
The UAE desert challenge leads across 2000 kilometers of sand, huge dunes
and fast desert pistes. At one point the dunes suddenly dropped off
20 vertical feet, forcing teams to jump, destructing some vehicles.
Helicopters fly along in case drivers become injured.
ORC's ML430 was able to avoid this particular jump, just in time, and
the vehicle was kept under control. Other teams were not as
fortunate.
approaching a washout
The MLs do it again: 2001 Cross Country World Cup
Arras Madrid Dakar 2002
330 vehicles were entered. Congratulations to the teams who
conquered all 16 stages to Dakar.
team 211 Jean-Pierre Strugo and Bruno Cattarelli ML430
team 246 Yves Morize and Daniel Royer ML430
team 271 Jean-Yves Menguy and Patrick Antoniolli ML320
Moab
Adventures by Kanwar (Laddie) Gill
ESP recommendation for the White
Rim Trail
1999
ML320 off-roading with French AWD owners association
Claude de Pau
Australian Guidebooks
Ron and Viv Moon
Italian Baja 2002
Thierry Magnaldi and navigator Francois Borsotto ML 430 win the
toughest category, production vehicles, Class T1, followed by G. Lansac
ML 430 on place 3 and Jpe Strugo ML 430 on 6th. This is the largest
field I have seen with more than 160 vehicles, including 7 Mercedes,
and the season's first rally counting towards the world cup.
Magnaldi post race interview
OPTIC 2000: Rallye of Tunisia 2002
More than 200 vehicles entered. Very difficult. Competitors were
caught in a sand storm with rain. Accidents when jumping off dunes
- the tops appeared broader and sudden downslopes were hidden!
Thierry Magnaldi was injured and helicoptered out. Georges Lansac, ML
430, won the production class and MLs also placed 4, 6, 10 and 13th,
so Mercedes garnered the most world cup manufacturer points.
Mitsubishi won overall place 1 and 2 with Stephane Peterhansel/Jean Paul
Cottret and Al Mutaiwei Khalifa Sultan/Andreas Schulz.
Fleet of Mercedes-Benz M-Class vehicles on charitable expedition to Dongguan
Zung Fu organized a charitable venture with a special M-Class
expedition to China from January 26-27, 2002.
Death Valley Trip 3 pictures
by Tom
Thierry Magnaldi wins the Baja Espana Aragon 2002
with navigator Francois Borsotto in the production class, and a
great 5th place overall. What a recovery.
3 of the top 5 winners overall are diesel powered. Jose Villalba and
J. Marcia (ML430) take third in production.
Master Rallye 2002
goes through Russia again, from the Baltic, St. Petersburg to the
Black Sea and is organized by Rene Metge, one of the Dakar founders.
Six Mercedes from Groine Development entered, all MLs, and all familiar:
Magnaldi (4th), Strugo (2nd), Lansac (11th), Ducroux (3rd), Menguy (6th)
and Maurice (stage 4). Team ORC entered the modified ML driven by Hans
Erwin Baur, with Russian navigator Alexandr Taranienko.
 2464x1648 Jpe Strugo |
2464x1648 Magnaldi |
2464x1648 Baur |
beach |
Magnaldi/Borsotto ML 430 win First Baja Deutschland
in the most difficult category: T1, unmodified production vehicles.
Gregoire de Mevius placed first in prototypes with a $800,000 modified
X5. 50 vehicles participated in the event over rough terrain in a
brown coal mine. Team ORC's M-Class with diff locks crashed into
another competitor who rolled over in a large dust cloud, and it took
the maximum amount of allowed repair time, 3 hours, to get it going
again. A G560 rolled over in a rutted turn, creating an additional
obstacle for the following vehicles. This was the first baja in
Germany, and next year's event might count in the FIA Cross Country
World Cup.
Groine Development owns and prepares the M-Classes for the competition -
with very little ("insufficient" says Jpe Strugo) help from Mercedes-Benz.
Rolled G-wagen obstacle
Rolled G-wagen underside
pics grabbed from movie on www.baja-deutschland.de
The MLs win three years in a row: 2002 Cross Country World Cup
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. Photo: http://www.24heures4x4.fr
M-Class wins 2003 Dakar, the toughest race in the world
489 vehicles entered in the Dakar Telefonica 2003, the largest
field in recent memory. 6 MLs participate, 4 in the production
class, and 2 in super production (prototypes).
The winners have to race over 8552 kilometers of desert, from Marseille
in France through Spain, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt to Sharm el Sheikh on
the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula. After several stages Jean
Pierre Strugo leads the production class and wins the race. Rene and
Elodie Metge take the third place and Philippe Gache and Jean Marie
Gauthier sixth. 130 teams started but only 61 finished. 1 death. 1
critical injury. 6 MLs started, 5 finished. A BMW X5 wins the diesel
category.
Mercedes M-Class wins Dakar Telefonica 2003
Jose Villalba pictures
2003 Death Valley Challenge
Team Mercedes finishes the grueling 300 mile challenge in March of 2003,
much of it run at night. Many other vehicles didn't. Here's the movie.
movie
Italian Baja 2003
Over 120 vehicles entered, more than ever. Many dropped out as it's
more difficult than previous versions. Sapsan team Mercedes with driver
Sergey Shmakov and navigator Evgeny Kandzyuba, Russia, drive the only ML
in the production class and finished third. Andreas
Lennartz, ORC's technical director, drives the ML prototype with diff
locks and totally new suspension with more wheel travel, and dropped out.
The BMW X5 prototypes have severe problems, one dropped out early when
the motor mount failed on a rough stretch, and
the other on day three.
Optic 2000: MLs take one, two in Tunisia Rallye 2003
In the production class Jpe Strugo (7th overall) won in his
Mercedes ML, beating his team mate Yves Menguy (ML430).
The leading Mitsu Evo caught fire on the final leg.
MLs win 2003 Baja Vodafone 1000 one, two.
The Russian team Sergey Shmakov and Evgeny Kandzyuba (ML430) places
first, followed on second by Carlos Oliveira and Mário Jordão (ML430).
Two Groine MLs were also in the race. Overall, Carlos Sousa on Mitsubishi
won for the forth consecutive time, followed by a lot of Nissans.
In the 2003 cross country world cup standings the Mercedes M-Class
leads with a solid 33 points before Mitsubishi with 10, Nissan with 8
and Toyota with 3 points.
ML wins Morocco Rally 2003
Jpe Strugo with navigator Pascal Larroque lead the Rallye Orpi
Maroc 2003 nearly from start to finish. It was one of the most difficult
rallies in recent memory weaning out the ranks due to many a mechanical
failure and accidents. They used some top class navigation to fend off
attackers.
An ML430 places fourth in the 24 hour Paris 4x4 2003
and wins the T2 category, although a driveshaft broke just
20 minutes before the destination.
pictures on desertrunner.com
M-Class wins Por Las Pampas 2003
The M-Class wins the 5 days off-road rally through the Argentinian
desert and has good chances to win the off-road world cup again this
season. Jean Louis sent in the pictures of Jpe Strugo above.
Cross Country Worldcup standings 2003 after 8 races
| Mercedes-Benz |
98 |
M-Class wins 4. consecutive cross country world cup
Team Groine does not start in the UAE Desert Challenge, and thus
Mercedes wins the FIA Cross Country World Cup Manufacturers' Trophy
for the forth consecutive time. Jpe Strugo receives the third best
cross country driver award overall, in production and prototype class.
Navigator Pascal Larroque receives the second best co-driver award
overall, in production and prototypes, while Yves Ferry places third as
co-driver. Team Groine earned a well deserved third place among all teams.
more worldcup info is here.
Race ML picture gallery by Guy De Wulf
covering the 24 hour Paris race in from 2000 to 2003. Many MLs
entered and finish in the top 25. Also covering the Baja Aragon 2003 in
Spain.
Paris Dakar 2004
had 17 stages over a grueling 11,090 km and 7 countries, much of
it African desert. 431 competitors registered and 197 assistance vehicles.
Jean Yves Menguy and Jean Marie Gauthier finish third in production and
27th overall. Branko Krajnc and Barbara Prislan, small pic above,
placed 56th overall with their ORC ML500 racing prototype.
Jean-Yves Menguy and Jean Marie Gauthier on the Dakar
through the Dakar mud
Dakar 2004 pics by Guy de Wulf
Dakar.si
263 MENGUY JEAN-YVES GAUTHIER JEAN MARIE MERCEDES ML 430 FRA GROINE third in production 297 KRAJNC BRANKO PRISLAN BARBARA MERCEDES ML 500 SLO KRAJNC - Team ORC 217 STRUGO JEAN-PIERRE LARROQUE PASCAL MERCEDES ML 430 FRA GROINE 249 DEBANNE ALEXANDRE JOINEAU MARC MERCEDES ML 430 FRA GROINE
Paintings by ML Owner Guy de Wulf
Jean Pierre Strugo's Dakar ML on his second Dakar
Thierry Charbonnier and Claude Demota's ML on the Dakar 2000. 15th overall and third in T1.
Thierry Magnaldi's ML on the Optic 2000 His first year in T1 and he won the T1 Class.
Alexandre Debanne and Marc Joineau
Rallye Optic 2000 Tunisia 2004
Jean-Pierre Strugo and Pascal Larroque take second place and
Alexandre Debanne with codriver Marc Joineau take third place in the
Tunisia rally 2004 garnering the first cross country world cup points
of the season. Overall more than hundred vehicles competed,
racing 7 days over the Tunisian sand dunes and rock strewn pistes,
and many did not finish. The first place went to Isabelle Patissier
(Nissan Pathfinder).
Megueni - Chaib pic
206 Jean-Pierre STRUGO - Pascal LARROQUE ML 2. place 220 Alexandre DEBANNE - Marc JOINEAU ML430 3. place 246 Jean MAURICE - Philippe LEQUENTREC ML 6. place 243 Yves MORIZE - Daniel ROYER ML430 244 Christophe PETELET - Pierre MERCIER ML 245 Maxence MAURICE - Patrick DELAHAY ML 247 Sofiane MEGUENI - Tamani CHAIB-DRAA ML 284 Jean PINTOS - Pierre LANOISELEE G
3 MLs run in the Morocco Rallye 2004
The Megueni brothers (start number 243, pictured above) place 4th in the
production class, followed by Alexandre Debanne on sixth place.
The new Mercedes-Benz racing buggy debuts on the Baja España Aragon 2004
The Mercedes MC 2800 prototype racer is very fast, running in the top 10
throughout the 800 kilometer long baja race and finishes on a great 6th place
overall. Driver José Antonio Villalba with navigator Jose Garcia from team
Groine is satisfied with his new buggy.
ML Racing Buggy
pictures taken by Guy de Wulf
Two MLs run in the 24 hour Paris 4x4 2004
Drivers José Antonio Villalba, Georges Groines, the grand master
himself at the wise old age of 72 years, his son Antoine Groine and
Jean Pierre Strugo and followed by Dornel Laurent, Lacam Hugues,
Dallet Thierry and Taltavull Bruno.
The track was very slippery and the MLs had some problems with over
heating brakes, nearly slipped off the track. Later the engine over
heated and after repairs a cooling gasket broke. "It's the first time
that no ML reached the finish since their participation 4 years ago!"
pics by Guy de Wulf
ORC ML Evolution 1 debuts on "Baja Anta da Serra 500 Portalegre 2004"
The new ML Evo I will debut on the Baja Anta da Serra
Portalegre the last competition for the FIA European Cup for Bajas.
It was not yet ready for the Baja Deutschland. José Villalba drives
the ML Racing Buggy. The QatarBaja 2004 followed.
picture
Movie: ORC ML on QatarBaja 2004
M-Class wins gasoline production class on Telefonica Dakar 2005
Six ML430 and two G270 CDI started. Most teams will be using
BFG Baja T/A Rock 235/85 R16 usually run at 32 psi on hard surfaces
and deaired to 19 psi on sand, less if stuck. Robby Gordon with codriver
Dirk von Zitzewitz win two early stages with a Race Touareg, his first
Dakar and first race in a diesel, before crashing lateron with multiple
barrel rolls. Jean Pierre Strugo and Pascal Larroque lead the T1
(production cars) for a few days but then the transfer case busted
and after repair they were forced to drop to T2.
Pascal THOMASSE and CARPENTE win the gasoline production class.
Simon Jean-Joseph Racing
Guy de Wulf's pics
Dakar Sand Academy by Groine
378 THOMASSE / CARPENTE GROINE FRA MERCEDES ML430 first in gasoline production 322 STRUGO / LARROQUE GROINE FRA MERCEDES ML430 323 JEAN-JOSEPH / BOYERE GROINE FRA MERCEDES ML430 335 VILLALBA / GARCIA GROINE ESP MERCEDES G270 CDI 358 PLAZA PEREZ GROINE ESP MERCEDES G270 CDI 375 MEGUENI / MEGUENI GROINE ALG MERCEDES ML430 376 MORIN / DESNEUF GROINE FRA MERCEDES ML430 377 BARTIN / COUDEREAU GROINE FRA MERCEDES ML430
M-Class wins Optic 2000 Tunisia 2005 on place 1, 3, 5, 8 and 14
A record seven MLs started on the Tunisia rally. Groine was
taken over by SDO (service, development, organisation) which is managed
by Jean Yves Menguy. Jean Pierre Strugo and Pascal Larroque were leading
the production class (T2) on day 3 but then encountered transmission problems.
They retake the lead after 8 days and take the win, together with M-classes on
place 3, 5, 8 and 14.
M-Class wins Tunisia 2005 with pictures
ML wins first Baja de France
SDO Competition entered two MLs (Thomasse 18, Morin 32) in the
first Baja in France held May 14 and 15, 2005. Pascal Thomasse and
Valerie Fontaine won in the T2B production class, winning all special stages
besides the first, and placing seventh overall. A convincing performance.
Many competitors had trouble with the mud after heavy rains.
SDO Competition
ML 350 EVO I V6 T1 from CRIOG entered for Orpi Maroc 2005 Rally
The newly formed CRIOG racing team of Sven Knorr and Torsten Fröhlich
will run on the Marocco Rally. They use the ORC built ML 350 EVO I V6 T1
with 3.5 liter four valve V6 and 250 hp.
The MLs place 3, 4 and 5 in T2.1 on the ORPI MAROC 2005
211 Strugo-Larroque Mercedes ML 3rd in T2 2.1 production
229 Thomasse-Bocande Mercedes ML 4th in T2 2.1 production
230 Bourgin-Ancement Mercedes ML 5th in T2 2.1 production
232 Knorr-Fröhlich ORC M3501 T1 1.1 prototype class
Villalba places 11th on Baja España Aragon 2005
Jose Villalba placed 11th overall and 9th in the T1.1 category,
running with the Mercedes ML430. Last year he used the ML buggy.
Three MLs ran on the Rallye d'Orient 2005
210 Thomasse-Bocande Mercedes ML430
215 Bourgin-Ancement Mercedes ML430
220 Morin-Desneuf Mercedes ML430
24 hours 4x4 de France 2005
One SDO ML participated with the same drivers as last year:
Bruno Taltavull, Laurent Dornel and Hugues Lacam. After heavy rainfall it
turned into a mudbath causing caked-up fans and overheating. Lateron the
ML's alternator and battery electrode plate failed causing further delays.
Nonetheless it finshed third in the production class.
photos by Guy de Wulf
Baja Anta da Serra 500 Portalegre 2005
José Antonio Villalba drives the ML 350 proto buggy and José Dinis
Lucas drives an ML430. ORC is not running.
Team CRIOG garners first FIA Cross Country worldcup points in the Dubai 2005
In a tough race Sven Knorr and Torsten Fröhlich in their ORCML place eighth
overall and fifth in their category. Ellen Lohr and her co-pilot, Detlef Ruf,
had to retire on the second stage. Due to a blocked track in soft sand the
W164 ML 350 EVO II proto somersaulted downhill and could not be repaired in
time to continue.
6 MLs started on the Dakar 2006
Already in June 2005 registration for the Dakar 2006 had to be closed
due to high demand and a larger field than ever. After three days the MLs
lead the production class with Simon Jean-Jospeh. Then Ellen Lohr
improves in several days to 28th on day 6 before encountering a failed
ball-joint on a difficult stage 7 when Jpe Strugo
with his production ML 430 improves from 55th to 33nd overall, then 22nd and
wins T2 production on stage 11. The Dakar 2006 is one to remember, very
tough, from 174 cars at the start fewer than 70 finish after 15 stages.
320 Ellen Lohr Detlef Ruf ORC ML 350 EVO II ALL KWIKPOWER MERCEDES TEAM
328 Jean-Pierre Strugo Yves Ferri ML 430 FRA SDO/COMPETITION
332 Simon Jean-Joseph Jack Boyere ML 430 FRA SDO/COMPETITION
370 Pascal Dro Francois Basse ML 430 FRA GUY HOQUET AVENTUR
381 Jose Maria Gines Jimenes Pablo Cordoba ML 430 ESP SDO/COMPETITION
382 Phillipe Gallois Lionel Boch ML 430 FRA SDO/COMPETITION
Dakar 2006 photos by Guy De Wulf
Simon Jean-Joseph on the Dakar 2006. First in production on day 3.
Ellen Lohr improves from 67th to 28th.
Mercedes M-Class wins Optic 2000 Tunisia 2006 placing 1, 3 and 4
Three MLs started on the Tunisia rally.
Jean Pierre Strugo with navigator Yves Ferry and Antoine Maze Sencier with
navigator Christophe Crespo, both from SDO Competition, and Marc Racine
with navigator Richard Cretier. Last year the MLs won the production class.
And this year they repeat their success and win again, placing 1, 3 and 4.
M-Class wins Tunisia 2006 with pictures
Monterey Classics
Ricardo Zonta won the 1998 FIA GT championship in a CLK LM
with 6 liter M119 AMG V8 together with Klaus Ludwig. Today he returns
to Laguna Seca, the first time since 1998, and sets a Laguna Seca lap
record on the first try, even the first flying lap, with 1:07 driving
a Toyota TF106.
August 18, 2006
M-Class and Mercedes DRV buggy do well in 24 hour 4x4 de France 2006
Drivers are Jean Pascal Besson, Jpe Strugo (driving in the picture
top right on Sunday morning) and Pascal Thomasse. Due to a refueling
misunderstanding the ML430 qualifies for 48th starting position.
It gains several positions before brake problems throw it back
to 47th place, but comes back remarkably staying in the top 30
and finishes 18th overall with 26 laps behind the leader,
and second in the T2 production class, and fastest gasoline T2 car.
More than 100 teams competed this year. The M-Class team is now called
Rallye Raid Concept. Marc and Claude Demota, Philippe D'Encausse and
Daniel Fravy drive the DRV buggy powered by Mercedes and finished in
third place overall and second in their class.
Guy de Wulf took the pictures for us.
pictures on webshots: "24h of France 2006"
9/20/2006
Mercedes finishes Pharaon International Cross Country Rally on 3rd place
Besson and Kornstein finish the Pharaon 2006 rally on 10th place overall
with their ML430 and place 3rd in the production class. Photo Renata Giorgi.
10/11/2006
Mercedes-Benz ML430 finishes Lisboa Dakar 2007
4 MLs started on the Dakar 2007. The ORC ML350 EVO is driven by Lohr
with new codriver Roissard (team 324) and after a poor start retired on
day 2 due to a failed transmission. Three Rallye Raid Concept
teams drive ML430 production vehicles led by Besson and Kornstein (team 376),
then Rosso/Rosso (team 439) and Morin with codriver Desneuf (442). Mercedes
M-Class double Dakar champion Jpe Strugo switched to Dessoude Nissan
and drives a production Pathfinder. After 12 stages only one ML remains
in the race along with 110 cars down from the 167 at the start on day 1.
Jean Pascal Besson and codriver Yves Kornstein finish third in the gasoline
production class behind Strugo, the outstanding offroad tactician, and
Belmondo, and on 83rd place overall, demonstrating their Dakar prowess
and once again showcasing the talents of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class.
Photos above: maindruphoto.com. The article about the Rosso family, father
and son on the Dakar 2007, was sent by Guy de Wulf.
1/21/2007
Sven Knorr, Torsten Fröhlich, ORC ML EVO II place 8th on Italian Baja 2007
Touring-car specialist Jens Winkelhock with codriver Jürgen Mayer,
ex KTM factory driver, start on the Italian Baja in a new ML EVO II
and have an astonishingly fast prolog, in seventh place overall,
but lateron encounter difficulties on special 6, when they land
on a boulder after a jump and tear a wheel off.
Team Criog with offroad expert Sven Knorr and codriver Torsten
Fröhlich start in a second ORC ML EVO I recently upgraded to EVO II
and improve consistantly throughout the race fo finish on a very good
8th place overall.
Mar 18, 2007
Mercedes ML430s finish 3rd and 6th in OPTIC 2000 Tunisie 2007
216 BESSON Jean-pascal (F) ANTONIOLLI P. (F) MERCEDES T2/3 34h 21'17
223 GALLOIS Philippe (F) BOCH Lionel (F) MERCEDES T2/6 51h 37'49
Apr 9, 2007
Mercedes-Benz ML430 on Baja de France 2007
The drivers are BESSON Jean-Pascal, BREUIL Florence, DE LEMPS JCharles
and TONIN Nicolas from the Rallye Raid Concept team. Overall 54
teams are registered this year. Eric Morin runs the second ML430.
Baja de France pictures by Guy de Wulf
Mercedes ML350 wins Transsyberia 2007 in its category
The Mercedes-Benz ML350 of Team ORC with Hans Baur and Rolf Blaeß
finished the Transsyberia 2007 on 15th place overall, behind a number
of Porsche Cayennes in the top ten, and thus wins the category 1B, of
4x4 gasoline vehicles under 4 liters. Overall 26 Cayennes were in the
race, more of them finishing behind the ML350 than in front of it, laughs
Hans Baur.
Team ORC Transsyberia 2007 info
Transsyberia 2007 Porsche Cayenne webspecial
August 30, 2007
Rallye Raid Concept
has a new website.
They might prepare 5-6 clients to run on the Dakar 2008, the mythical
adventure.
August 30, 2007
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En plus de 15 ans de participation aux rallyes africains, j'ai appris que pour gagner, il fallait réunir plusieurs éléments incontournables. Du matériel performant et fiable, de l'expérience, mais avant tout, une équipe polyvalente et professionnelle, sachant s'adapter à tout situations et pour qui aucun obstacle n'est infranchissable. Je pense avoir réuni l'essentiel de ces composantes.
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