Mercedes Ends SLR Production in 2009

McLaren and partner Mercedes-Benz are preparing to part ways on project SLR as production of the car is scheduled to stop in 2009. The marriage, brought together on and off the F1 race track, produced 261 SLRs in 2006, and 275 in 2007. These are not exactly the 400 – 500 a year figures that the makers were hoping for originally. The 467kW über two-seater’s exploits have been well documented, yet it never quite ignited the blaze its creators hoped it would.

McLaren is on course to start building their own supercar which is codenamed P11 for the year 2009. This is one of the reasons the Ferrari-McLaren saga continues to bite so deep; technologies learnt in F1 are often adapted for road cars by the manufactures concerned and for McLaren to learn so many Ferrari secrets is an endless sore point at Maranello.

Source: Autocar

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RENNtech Mercedes SLR McLaren 722GT Race Series

What do you do with 680 wild horses under your right foot? Take them to America of course! At least that is what tuner RENNtech, SLR.Club Trophy USA and RML (Ray Mallock Ltd) of the UK plan to do when they host a two-day track day series featuring the maddest SLR cars ever made, the 722GT in 2009. Exact dates will be announced this coming Northern Hemisphere summer.

The 722GT is technically superior to the standard car, which already boasts some impressive figures on its own. Fitted with the same 5.4-litre V8 run by a supercharger, the 722GT boosts power from the “ordinary” 626 bhp/ 467kW to 680 bhp/ 507kW and 830Nm of torque, with a weight shaving of some 660 lb/ 299kg. It is whispered in racing circles that the car will scuttle away from a still position to 62.1 mph/ 100km/h in less than 3.3 seconds and max out at just over 199 mph/ 320km/h.

Owners of this special vehicle, developed by RML at the approval of Mercedes-Benz, will stay at 5-star accomodations, meet very special guests, all the while being instructed by some of the best like David Coulthard and later racing at some historic tracks. RENNtech will provide trackside support for the events.

The idea was shaped after 722GT trackdays held at the Nurburgring and Paul Ricard. Only 21 of these are being made, half already sold, so get on the phone to RENNtech right now while there’s still time. While you’re at it, pass me next week’s winning Lotto numbers please!



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Mercedes Set to Take Over McLaren F1 Team?

2007 was arguably one of the most controversial seasons in McLaren F1 history capped with no drivers championship, being thrown out of the constructors championship and a $100 million fine. Far from acceptable for engine partner Mercedes-Benz who are reported to be negotiating to take a majority stake in the British team, a deal that would likely signal the end of Ron Dennis as team boss.

According the German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport, Mercedes want to have more control over the British team to eradicate errors made during the drivers title run in and are not happy with the crisis management at the height of the spying scandal. Negotiations are reported to have been ongoing since October last year.

Does this mean we will hear the German national anthem when/if we see Lewis Hamilton or Heikki Kovalainen takes the chequered flag this year?

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