The Sauber-Mercedes C9 Is One Of The Most Gorgeous And Fascinating Group C Racecars

Features, Racing I By Peter Nelson I March 18, 2020

media.daimler.com

We’ve got a big soft spot for the Sauber-Mercedes C9. Its development story is fascinating, its podium ratio is quite good, and it just looks beautiful. The small, bi-turbo V8 beast was the most successful cars of the 1989 Group C racing season, winning eight races, including Le Mans. They scored a 2nd place spot on the prestigious, French podium as well.

The C9 set Mercedes up for the success for the following couple of years, too, as their revised C11, with its high tech full-carbon-fiber chassis, won a total of 16 races in 1990 and 1991, as well as the drivers’ title and constructors’ title in 1990.

That’s why when we saw this video by Collecting Cars show up in our YouTube feed, we had to pause what were doing and have a gander. The on-track footage is great, the engineering-speak is fascinating, as is the history discussed. Sam Hancock’s method of describing what it’s like to drive is great, too. It’s also nice to see this example is outfitted with modern safety equipment, such as a Sabelt Silver Series Enduro harness.

Sure, we love the Jags and Porsches that this elegant, silver machine went up against as well, but this might be our favorite.

Check it out!

The Guide to Road Racing: Winding Road Magazine's ultimate guide to getting your start in racing.

Table of Contents

Related Articles

Ask Ross: Square Corners & Min Speeds

Historically, we at Winding Road have hosted Ross Bentley’s Speed Secrets on our site. Ross’s wisdom and expertise stacked alongside his ability to communicate to…

April 04, 2024
Volvo Restomods Soften My Heart

There are ways of leveraging the industrialized world within which we live to draw goodness out of everyone who encounters that which is produced. Struck…

April 04, 2024
EV Inspired Automobile Renaissance

By the start of the 20th Century, the development of consumer automobiles was in full swing, and, seemingly, everyone was throwing their hat in the…

March 14, 2024
BUGATTI TYPE 35: The Making of A Champion

Setting the blueprint for all Bugatti cars that followed, the Type 35 was designed and engineered like no other, and featured world-firsts to ensure unmatched…

March 14, 2024
Audi accelerates preparations for successful entry into Formula 1 and significantly expands its commitment

Supervisory Boards of Volkswagen AG and AUDI AG vote for complete takeover of Sauber Group Oliver Hoffmann takes over responsibility for Audi’s Formula 1 commitment…

March 08, 2024

EMAIL SIGN UP

Get the latest driving and racing news straight to your inbox.

no thanks

Begin typing your search above and press return to search.