CMC - Mercedes Targa Florio 1924
The traffic route of the Targa and Coppa Florio, the race of "7.000 curves", led through tight mountain roads right through the mountain villages of Sicily. The Targa Florio included four rounds, the Coppa one more. Each round had a length of 108 km. To win the Targa, doesn`t ment to win the Coppa also, because to stay one more round in this hard street race, was no walk in the park.
Christian Werner made it – supported by his co-pilot Karl Sailer. The major job of Sailer was to keep the gas tank per manual pump under pressure and take care about the grease lubrication. At the 27th of April in 1924 the team wins with the compressor Mercedes both titles. Also they were able to establish a new track record with 1 hour and 35 minutes for one round. His team mates Christian Lautenschlager and Alfred Neubauer placed 10th and 15th. In the team competition Mercedes placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
Some confusion caused the painting of the bolids. Instead of the typical white painting of German racing cars of that time, the Targa Florio came with a shining italian red. Rumours are saying, that the Mercedes crew was trying to prevent attacks (throwing of stones) from hot-blooded sicilian fans.
