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Mercedes-Benz Clinches CART Manufacturer's Championship; Fiftieth Modern-Day Indy Car Race Marks First Open-Wheel Title in 42 Years

7 September 1997

Mercedes-Benz Clinches CART Manufacturer's Championship; Fiftieth Modern-Day Indy Car Race Marks First Open-Wheel Title in 42 Years

    MONTVALE, N.J., Sept. 7 -- On the strength of eight wins,
five pole positions and 18 podium finishes, Mercedes-Benz clinched the 1997
PPG CART World Series Manufacturer's Championship at the Texaco/Havoline 300
at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, Calif.  The event, the 16th of 17 races on
the PPG Cup schedule, was Mercedes' 50th Indy car race since rejoining North
American racing in 1994.  The title marked the first open-wheel racing title
for the three-pointed star since its Formula One World Championship with Juan
Manuel Fangio in 1955.
    Mark Blundell drove his Mercedes-powered Reynard racer to a second place
finish at Monterey, marking the 18th time in the last 19 races that a
Mercedes-Benz driver has finished second or better in CART competition.  Also
Sunday, a Mercedes-Benz engine powered David Coulthard to his second win of
the season at the Formula One Grand Prix of Italy in Monza, Italy.
    "Mercedes-Benz built its worldwide reputation for engineering excellence
and leading-edge technology one victory at a time, starting with the very
first auto race more than a century ago," said Mike Jackson, president,
Mercedes-Benz of North America.  "The CART Manufacturer's Championship
reaffirms our commitment to uncompromising performance through technology.
Each Mercedes on the street or on the track carries the spirit of competition
and excellence."

    Team Effort
    The Mercedes-Benz IC 108D engine has powered four drivers to CART victory
lanes this season, including Marlboro Team Penske's Paul Tracy (Nazareth, Rio
de Janeiro, St. Louis), Player's Forsythe driver Greg Moore (Milwaukee and
Detroit), and PacWest Racing teammates Mark Blundell (Portland and Toronto)
and Mauricio Gugelmin (Vancouver).  Three different drivers -- Tracy,
Gugelmin, and Hogan Racing rookie Dario Franchitti -- have scored pole
positions so far in 1997.
    "Championships are the result of teamwork and cooperation," said Hal
Whiteford, vice president, operations for MBNA.  "With each of our five
Mercedes teams contributing strongly to our effort this season, that teamwork
was evident.  We hold the title jointly with all of racing partners:  the team
owners, drivers and crews and, most especially, the staff of Ilmor
Engineering, the race engine-building arm of Mercedes-Benz.  We thank them all
for their efforts and congratulate them all on their success."

    Power, Fuel Efficiency and Reliability
    Many pointed to 1997 as the year of fuel efficiency, with Mercedes-powered
teams taking several race wins through fuel conservation strategies.  But the
Mercedes-Benz IC 108D engine had much more to offer than fuel-efficiency.
    "The fuel economy advantage that Mercedes-powered teams enjoyed this year
made for some exciting last-lap lead changes and dramatic finishes," said
Steve Potter, manager, sports marketing for MBNA.  "But the drag race between
Blundell's Mercedes and Gil de Ferran's Honda down the final straight at
Portland was a story of horsepower, and the fact that Mercedes-powered cars
have finished second or better in all but one of the races this season speaks
volumes about reliability."
    In addition to its success in the PPG CART World Series, Mercedes-Benz
currently leads the manufacturer's points battle in the FIA GT Championship
thanks to three victories by the new CLK-GTR supercoupe.  The three-pointed
star has also returned to victory lane in Formula One competition, with David
Coulthard driving his West-McLaren-Mercedes to victories in Australia and
Italy.  The current success on the race track is a continuation of a
Mercedes-Benz sporting heritage that dates back more than 100 years to the
first auto race ever held.

SOURCE  Mercedes-Benz North America