Mercedes 190E 2.3
Cord MÖNCHMEYER / Werner LEWITZKI (D/D)

Category	SLOWLY
Year	1987
Group	A

 

 

Yesterday : Bernard DARNICHE / Alain MAHE - Rallye Monte Carlo 1987

In 1987, the Snobeck Racing Service made the bet to enter the Mercedes 190E 2.3 16V for Bernard DARNICHE for a mixed program, World Championship and French Championship. At the Monte Carlo Rally, DARNICHE was forced to retire due to a mechanical problem. The Rallye des Garrigues (direction) and the Tour de Corse (rim problem) will not allow DARNICHE to see the finish either. Only a seventh place in the Rallye du Var will bring a positive note.

Cord Mönchmeyer was German Autocross champion in 1980 in a Toyota Corolla and has driven his brand cars almost exclusively since 1981, when he started rallying and won the Toyota Starlet Cup in 1981. However, he always been fascinated by the Mercedes 190 E 2.3 - 16 which impressed him on the circuits and by the technological innovations introduced on the production models. He first rebuilt a first 190 E 2.3-16 group A used in rallying by Holger Bohne and Werner Blank. After finding another original car in Spain, he tackled the “Mercedes-Snobeck” project. Mönchmeyer explains his decision: “I was there at Monte-Carlo 1987 as an opener and the two Mercedes-Snobecks totally impressed me. So I decided I had to build a replica of Darniche's car at the 1987 Monte-Carlo Rally.".