"Joyrider" (joegoulet)
09/20/2013 at 20:11 • Filed to: None
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"Joyrider" (joegoulet)
09/20/2013 at 20:11 • Filed to: None | 0
| 0 |
Ferrari vs Mercedes Showdown!
In 1952 Mercedes and Ferrari went to battle over nearly 2100 miles in the Carrera Panamericana. Going at each other with the same fury of spies in the cold war. This was the race that made the silver gull winged wonder famous. But it may not have been the car's superior handling or looks that won it the acclaim it earned for winning in 1952. It may very well have been the first time that pre-prepared race notes were used in such and extensive and long rally. This strategic move delivered legendary fame and attention to the beautiful gull wing doors and low slung hips. With a slippery shape and light weight construction, its 3.0L inline six mustering a pitiful 175 hp to beat the far more powerful Ferrari contender. To keep the weight of the engine low they ingeniously mounted the inline six at a slant allowing the hood line to remain very low. The 300SL was incredibly innovative and set standards of supercars for decades after it ceased production.
The Ferrari sported a V12 with near a 25% bump in power over the same engine offered on the street bringing power up to a staggering for the time 280hp! Ferrari massaged the camshafts to get the extra punch and punch it did over what the Germans had slanted sideways under their hoods. It also is one the few Ferrari's that aped a Cadillac's tail fins.
But without those prepared race notes could the Ferrari team(s), that had already been to the race the previous year in 1951, have won or atleast made it a closer race? Ferrari's leading car finished 3rd nearly 40 min behind the two german entrants . An American driver named Finch received help from a mechanic and was DQ'd or it would have been a blow out sweep for the silver arrow teams.
Amazing how a little bit of prep can set up success. The germans approached the race very tactically and set new standards for how races with navigators have been run forever. They set new standards for racing and race car design. They caught Ferrari with its pants down thinking that big power was all that mattered. Ze Germans proved to them that less can be more even when your the big swingin' dick.
But more importantly which would you rather slide around Mexico without BS stability and traction control white knuckling for days?