GT5 Transcripts/Mercedes-Benz Sauber Mercedes C9 Race Car '89

Spearheaded by Swiss car constructor Sauber, the C9 appeared in 1988 as a Group C car. Beginning in 1986, Mercedes-Benz began supplying Sauber with Group C engines. Two years later, Mercedes-Benz officially announced Sauber as its motorsports partner, embarking on building race cars for the world's GT races. This was something Mercedes-Benz had not done since 1955, after the big accident at the 24 Hours of Le Mans forced the company out of motorsports. 
The Sauber Mercedes-Benz C9 met with success immediately out of the gates. It earned pole position in the opener for the 1988 WSPC (World Sports Car Championship), and went on to win five of 12 races that year. In 1989, Mercedes-Benz replaced the turbocharged 5.0-liter SOHC V8 with a 4-valve version that increased power to 710 HP. The renewed C9 also looked imposing, bathed in silver paint. The C9s earned the nickname "Silver Arrow," bringing back the feared moniker that graced past Mercedes-Benz (and Auto Union) Grand Prix cars. 
That year, the Silver Arrows finished 1-2 at the World Sports Car Championship at Suzuka Circuit and 2-3 at Dijon. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Silver Arrows finished 1-2, with yet another placing 5th. In 1988, with seven wins in eight raced, Jean-Louis Schlesser became the Drivers' Champion and Sauber took the team title, finishing in 1st overall.
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