Mercedes Benz

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Stuttgart/Jüchen, Germany, Jul 28, 2008


* 100 years of Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix history brought to life

* A host of famous drivers behind the wheels of celebrated racing cars dating from 1908 to 2008

* August 2-3, 2008 at Schloss Dyck near Neuss, Germany

As principal sponsor of Schloss Dyck Classic Days 2008, Mercedes-Benz Cars will be taking part in this year’s event with a number of racing cars from the brand’s illustrious history. Some of the vehicles will be given a 2.8-kilometre tour of the elegant castle grounds with famous racing drivers at the wheel, while other models will be on display for the appreciation of visitors. This is the third edition of the Classic Days. With its moated castle, baileys and an outstanding English landscape garden, Schloss Dyck in Jüchen near Neuss is one of the most important cultural monuments of the German Rhineland.


The following racing cars from the Mercedes-Benz Museum collection will be in action at the event:

* 120 hp Benz, driven by Jochen Mass. Two identical vehicles took second and third place at the French Grand Prix in 1908. The winner was a 140 hp Mercedes.

* Mercedes-Benz W 196 R monoposto, driven by Hans Herrmann. This model took Mercedes-Benz to convincing victories in the 1954 and 1955 world championships.

* McLaren-Mercedes MP4-13, driven by Bernd Schneider. This is the original vehicle with which Mika Häkkinen won the 1998 world championship.

* Mercedes-Benz Safety Car, driven by Dieter Glemser. The Safety Car is prominent at all Formula One races. With its rapid acceleration and distinctive roof-mounted light bar, its job is to ensure maximum safety at all race events.

In the coach houses around the castle grounds – buildings which throughout their history have served as outhouses for vehicles – Mercedes-Benz will also be exhibiting other historic automobiles. These include the 120 hp Benz of 1908 (when not in use on the circuit), the Tripoli Mercedes-Benz W 165 racing car of 1939, a Mercedes-Benz W 196 R monoposto from 1954, and an exhibition version of the current Mercedes-Benz McLaren MP4-23 Formula One car. A particular highlight of the presentation will be a faithful reconstruction of the Benz Patent Motor Car of 1886, the world’s first automobile. New vehicles on display will also include a Mercedes-Benz SL, a Mercedes-Benz SLK, a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster and a Maybach Landaulet.
Listed for the first time this year as an official FIVA event (Fédération des vehicules anciens), Classic Days will also be hosting a Concours d’Elegance in the castle grounds entitled “Jewels in the Park”, drawing over 80 masterpieces of automotive and body design together in one place for the benefit of visitors and collectors. Classic Days will conclude with a grand classic car meeting.

The Classic Days event is organized by the non-profit organization Classic Days e.V., with support from the Rhineland district of Neuss and other sponsors. The event also serves a worthy cause, with proceeds going to the Schloss Dyck Foundation to help maintain the castle buildings and grounds. Classic Days is also a “Trips Memorial”, commemorating German racing driver Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips, who died in a tragic accident in 1961.

Further information on the event can be found at: www.schloss-dyck-classic-days.de.

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