Mercedes-Benz CLR
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| Category | Le Mans Grand Tourer Prototype (LMGTP) | ||||||||
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| Constructor | Mercedes-Benz (HWA GmbH) | ||||||||
| Designer(s) | Gerhard Ungar | ||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||
| Chassis | Carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb monocoque | ||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Double wishbone suspension with pushrod-activated dampers | ||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | Same as front | ||||||||
| Length | 4,893 mm (192.6 in) | ||||||||
| Width | 1,999 mm (78.7 in) | ||||||||
| Height | 1,012 mm (39.8 in) | ||||||||
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm (105 in) | ||||||||
| Engine | Mercedes-Benz GT108C 5,721 cc (349.1 cu in) V8, naturally-aspirated, mid-mounted | ||||||||
| Transmission | Xtrac 6-speed sequential manual | ||||||||
| Weight | Appr. 900 kg (2,000 lb) | ||||||||
| Fuel | Mobil 1 | ||||||||
| Tyres | Bridgestone | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants |
 AMG-Mercedes
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| Notable drivers |
Bernd Schneider Nick Heidfeld Marcel Tiemann Franck Lagorce Jean-Marc Gounon Christophe Bouchut Mark Webber Pedro Lamy Peter Dumbreck
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| Debut | 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans | ||||||||
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The Mercedes-Benz CLR was a set of racing cars developed for Mercedes-Benz through a collaboration with in-house tuning division Mercedes-AMG and motorsports specialists HWA GmbH. Designed to meet Le Mans Grand Touring Prototype (LMGTP) regulations, the CLRs were intended to compete in sports car events during 1999, most notably at the 24 Hours of Le Mans which Mercedes had last won in 1989. It was the third in a series of sports cars raced by Mercedes, following the CLK GTRs and CLK LMs that had debuted in 1997 and 1998 respectively. Like its predecessors the CLR retained elements of Mercedes-Benz's production cars, including a V8 engine loosely based on a design used in some models as well as bodywork based on the CLK and CL-Classes. The CLR's bodywork was lower in overall height than that used on the CLKs to produce less drag.
Three CLRs were entered for Le Mans in 1999 after the team performed nearly 22,000 mi (35,000 km) of testing. The cars suffered aerodynamic instabilities along the circuit's long high-speed straight sections. The car of Australian Mark Webber became airborne and crashed in qualifying, requiring it to be rebuilt. Webber and the repaired CLR returned to the track in a final practice session on the morning of the race, but during its first lap around the circuit, the car once again became airborne and landed on its roof. Mercedes withdrew the damaged CLR but chose to continue in the race despite the accidents. The remaining cars were hastily altered and the drivers were given instructions to avoid closely following other cars.
Nearly four hours into the race Scotsman Peter Dumbreck was battling amongst the race leaders when his CLR suffered the same instability and became airborne, this time vaulting the circuit's safety barriers and crashing in an open field after several somersaults. This and earlier incidents led Mercedes not only to withdraw its remaining car from the event immediately, but also to cancel the entire CLR programme and move the company out of sports car racing. The accidents led to changes in the regulations dictating the design of Le Mans racing cars as well as alterations to the circuit itself to increase safety.
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