Returning 5.0 liter SLCs to the dirt and track.
5.0 liter SLC Rally cars thunder again
Belgian firm constructing race/rally SLCs
Did you know that Mercedes-Benz campaigned 500 SLCs for two seasons of international rallying? Under the guidance of Erich Waxenberger (creator of the 6.3 in the late sixties), a team of SLCs cut quite a swathe through the dirt and gravel of far flung nations during the 1979 and 1980 seasons. The Safari Rally of Kenya, the Acropolis Rally etc. – the brawny SLCs ran them all and finished a credible fourth in the 1980 World Rally Championship.
While only two full years in duration, the factory’s foray into the unpredictable world of rallying has not been forgotten. Belgian Guillaume Dumarey decided in 2007 to bring the memories of this unique adventure to life once again by constructing clones of the original factory rally cars. When Mercedes abandoned the project in the early eighties the remaining stock of engines, gearboxes, bodywork and ancillary items were sold off to an enthusiast in Germany.
There the parts languished until Dumarey decided to bring the cars back to life. He purchased the whole lot and founded SLC Racing in 2007. SLC Racing’s aim is to recreate the cars while making them more driver friendly to appeal to wealthy privateers wanting to have a go at the Historic European Rallies and Tours.
SLCs' everywhere. Donor cars awaiting transformation into race and rally cars sit neatly arranged in SLC Racing's dis-assembly area. Donor cars are still fairly inexpensive.
This in-progress shot illustrates the high level of craftsmanship. As evidenced by the wheel arch flares and massive rubber mud flaps, this SLC will become a rally car.
First Class Facility
Arrive and drive programs
The first car required over a year to construct and after a few preliminary tests on local gravel it was off to Belgium for the Ypres 24 hours Rally. While not particularly well suited to the narrow roads, the bellowing 300 hp SLC acquitted itself well, finishing eight overall in the historic class behind seven Ford Escorts. The current plan is to put the cars on a diet and shed another 100kg.
Dumarey must have been a surgeon in an earlier life because his facility in Namestovo, Slovakia – plenty of dirt and gravel roads nearby for testing – is hospital-like in its cleanliness. Donor SLCs are cheap and he has 16 cars either in progress or awaiting restoration. The fabrication looks to be first class and the end result must be a riot to fling through the mud. SLC Racing also provides full race support facilities and staff, essentially offering an “arrive and drive” program. He told me they plan to complete three more cars before October and participate in the Tour de Corse. There will be two SLCs available as rentals for that event.
The goal, says Dumarey, is “to bring together all enthusiasts of the Mercedes SLC Rally cars and participate in the most beautiful rallies.” We wish them well with this great project! Be sure to have a look at their extensive gallery slide show.
Rally Specifications:
- Engine Type: M117 E 50 Cylinder capacity: 4973cc Horsepower: 300hp
- Transmission: W3B050722.006 MB Automatic 3-way transmission
- Gear ratios: 2.31 1.46 1 Final drive: 4.08 Limited slip differential
- Suspension: Complete framework on nylon buses
- Shock absorbers: Bilstein shock absorbers
- Brakes: Front: Disc brakes 300mm x 22 mm Alcon 4 piston brake calipers Back: Disc brakes 300mm x 21 mm Alcon 2 piston brake calipers
- Wheels: Asphalt rallies: 9×15 BBS monobloc rally rims Michelin TB5 historic rally tires Gravel rallies: 7×15 BBS monobloc rally rims Michelin gravel tires
- Fuel Tank: ATL FIA FT3 safety tank capacity 80l
- Rollcage: FIA multipoint rollcage
- Price: 135,000 Euros (incl. VAT)
Since this article was first written in mid-2008, Dumarey has added a road racing version seen above - similar to the MAMPE SLC - and the Safari edition below.
The Safari edition SLC is ready to tackle the parched African 'raids.'
Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from SLC Racing.EU
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