Clean C8
The Sauber C8 was a sports car prototype from the late 1980s.
Development history and technology
The Sauber C8 was the first prototype that was created through the collaboration between Sauber Motorsport and Mercedes-Benz . The C8 was essentially based on the Sauber C7 , which was still powered by a BMW engine. However, Leo Ress had to modify the rear section so that the Mercedes V8 engine could fit there. Since the Mercedes engine was also heavier than the BMW unit, a subframe made of steel tubes had to be installed. The aluminum - monocoque was taken over by C7, as well as the suspension, the double triangular wishbone, the stabilizers and the telescope and gas pressure shock absorbers .
Racing history
Problems arose quickly. The chassis was not stiff enough for the 700 hp Mercedes engine. The car had too little downforce on a dry track, a circumstance that was an advantage on a wet road and one of the reasons for the surprising victory of Henri Pescarolo and Mike Thackwell in the 1000 km race at the Nürburgring in 1986 . The race had to be stopped after 600 kilometers in the pouring rain.
The C8 was supposed to make its debut in 1985 at the Le Mans 24-hour race . During practice, however , John Nielsen had a serious accident that severely damaged the C8 so that starting the race was out of the question. Peter Sauber had the car rebuilt, but chassis 01 was only used as an exhibition vehicle.
In 1986 the Sauber team competed in the entire Group C championship with the C8 and at the end of the year reached fifth place in the overall ranking. Chassis 02 was sold in 1987 to Noël del Bello , who competed in Le Mans that same year. The rebuilt 01 is still with Peter Sauber in Hinwil today .
literature
- Mike Riedner: Mercedes-Benz, the new Silver Arrows . Stadler, Konstanz 1990, ISBN 3-7977-0252-3 .
