LeMans1989

Le Mans will be a major test for Mercedes Benz, after lats year's withdrawal following a practice tyre failure. The cars
have won virtually everywhere else since then, but success at Le Mans is vital to any company in sportscar racing,
and especially now that Mercedes is running in the legendary Silver Arrows livery. A great deal of testing has been
done to gear the cars for Le Mans, the team's third proper attempt since the one-off appearance of the C8 prottype
in 1985. Critics argue that Le Mans is the only place you can really test for Mulsanne, but you can be sure that both
Sauber and Michelin are better prepared than last year. The team should not be underestimated in any way. One
possible drawback is the pressure of running three cars, with five drivers who have not raced Saubers before.
Schlesser and Baldi hate the place, and that may not help the morale in the camp, but they're going anyway. New
boys include Jabouille, who led but never won for Renault in the seventies (he dislike the race as well!), and the
underrated Brancatelli and Dickens.

#61 - Sauber set up with flat wings as high and as far back as allowed, while nose and underbody only other major
change from normal spec. Drivers happy with car on straight, but very physical to drive round the rest of the track.
Door came open on Mauro Baldi's first qualifying run in race trim, and not so happy with the second set of tyres,
butthe time was good enough for eventually 2nd place on the grid. took it easy in the top six for the first couple of
hours, worked its way up during the early evening, drivers doing short stints, troubled by overheating. Second to
Jagaur #1 at midnight, had lost ground with a spin and dirty screen for Kenny Acheson. Also lost ground when timing
beam transmitter came loose in cockpit. Led in the early morning, but brake problem and spin for Mauro Baldi in the
17th hour let Mercedes #63 through. Ran second to the flag, hobbled in the last 70 minutes when Kenny Acheson
was stuck in fifth gear after selctor breakage.

#62 - Used new chassis 05 as qualifying car with special ventilated discs and 'qualifying chip' in the engine, which
others didn't ahve. Jean-Louis Schlesser just slipped in quickest time on first day, beating rain, and then went out on
a single flier in second Thursday session to pip the phantom Toyota time and secure pole, despite lifting at Kink for
slower car. Raced 62T, chassis 02, as planned. Engine not as strong as other Mercedes, 200rpm down, and early
crunch between Alain Cudini and a C2 car, caused stop for body damage at 18:40, followed by a couple of
investigative stops from Jean-Louis Schlesser. Thereafter struggling to regain time. Into top six by morning, remaining
secure in 5th place at the end of the race.

#63 - A broken fifth gear spoiled chance of a good grid position, and left the team worried about prospects for the
race. All cars then fitted with shorter but proven fifth, costing revs on straights. Qualified 11th by Jochen Mass, who
held third at end of first stint, and Manuel Reuter then took over, but made two stops with front body damage after
running over stray exhuast pipe on straight. Dropped out of top 20 after two hours, but staged excellent comeback,
although suffered from tyres turning on the rim. Was in top ten in early evening, and ran fifth up to midnight. Good
economy allowed a little extra horsepower, and with soft night tyres Jochen Mass and Stanley Dickens were regularly
quickest on track, catching Mercedes #61. 3rd place when Porsche #9 delayed in ninth hour, 2nd place at dawn
when jaguar #1 got in trouble. Ran within 1 minute of Mercedes #61, getting ahead when Mauro Baldi spun with
brake problem, extending lead when that car suffered a transmission breakage. Jochen mass took the flag at head of
team formation!