Mercedes Benz

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Stuttgart, Germany, Aug 22, 2008

• First edition staged in 2000
• Premiere in Great Britain

A review of the last eight Mercedes Benz Classic Days reveals the ongoing success story of the event. Mercedes Benz organised the first edition of Mercedes Benz Classic Days in 2000. The event was an overwhelming success, as 400 classic car fans from 20 countries descended upon the historic city on the River Salzach to attend the world premiere with more than 200 vintage Mercedes Benz vehicles. The special attraction of the meeting was a driving program that successfully combined challenging tourist excursions and more competitive events – and also included a range of cultural and social activities to satisfy even the most exacting participants. This varied mixture was also to remain the most distinctive aspect of all Mercedes Benz Classic Days in the years that followed.


The second edition of Mercedes Benz Classic Days offered a split program at two different locations. Drivers harbouring sporting ambitions gathered at the Anneau du Rhin racing circuit near Colmar, France. Those seeking the tourist routes were able to avail themselves of the sights and delights of Merano, Italy. Whereas the event at Anneau du Rhin focused on the racing circuit, the teams in Merano were faced with the demanding mountain roads and steep passes of the Dolomites on which to test the 200 classic cars built between 1929 and 1980, as well as a grand Concours d’Elégance and motor procession through Merano. Both event venues also offered a sophisticated programme of cultural and culinary delights.

In 2002, the third edition of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Days was held in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, offering more than 400 participants and their 200 Mercedes Benz classic cars a programme of demanding yet entertaining driving events, including regularity trials on the Dunlop test circuit, tour events through the Ardennes and the most beautiful parts of Luxembourg, as well as a spectacular Concours d’Elégance as the automotive highlight prior to the grand evening gala.

For the fourth Mercedes Benz Classic Days event the organizers sought an attractive city in central Europe with wonderful scenery and a suitable racing circuit. These criteria brought the event back to its original venue – in 2003 Classic Days returned to Salzburg. In addition to the racing circuit and Gaisberg hillclimb, Salzburg also offered a very varied environment for demanding Alpine routes and more leisurely lakeside tours.

The six day programme took place in glorious sunshine and began with regularity trials on the Salzburgring circuit on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday saw two timed sessions on the nine-kilometre former hillclimb route on the Gaisberg. On Thursday and Friday participants were invited to the Karl Benz lakeside circuit and Gottlieb Daimler Alpine route, departing in the order of their start numbers. And on Saturday, following a long procession to the city centre, the cars were judged at the Concours d’Elégance under the critical gaze of a crowd of interested onlookers. The closing event and highlight of the Classic Days meeting was the grand gala and awards ceremony.

This events schedule proved to be the perfect cocktail of driving and social activities and was retained, with only slight variations, for all subsequent Mercedes Benz Classic Days events from 2004 to 2007 – evenings of organized entertainment and festivities, a gala as the crowning event, exquisite food and a support program featuring driver training sessions, visits to tourist attractions and cultural highlights provided an ideal mix of relaxation and action. And with the exception of 2007 – where a change in the weather brought snow, extra excitement and new challenges for the drivers – the Mercedes Benz Classic Days in Salzburghave always been blessed with glorious weather.

Since last year the number of participants has been limited to 180 teams. This allows Mercedes Benz Club Management to provide each participant with individual support of the highest standard – in typical Mercedes Benz quality. The fact that this year’s Mercedes Benz Classic Days was fully booked well ahead of the actual event is a measure of the event’s continuing success.

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