Sauber C8

The Sauber C8 was a sports car prototype from the late 1980s.

The Sauber C8 was the first prototype, which was created through the collaboration of Sauber Motorsport, and Mercedes -Benz. The C8 was mainly based on the Sauber C7, which was still powered by a BMW engine. However, Leo Ress had to modify the rear end so that the Mercedes V8 engine took place there. Since the Mercedes engine was heavier than the BMW unit, had to be built a steel subframe tubes. The aluminum monocoque was taken over by the C7, as well as the suspension, the double triangular wishbone, the stabilizers as well as the telescope and gas pressure shock absorbers.

Rasch problems began. The chassis was not stiff enough for the 700 -hp Mercedes engine. The car had too little downforce, a circumstance which was on a dry track on wet roads for the benefit and was one reason for the surprising victory of Henri Pescarolo and Mike Thackwell at the 1000 km race at the Nürburgring in 1986. The race had to be canceled in the pouring rain, however, after 600 kilometers.

His debut in 1985 should be in the 24- hour race at Le Mans the C8 actually. In training, John Nielsen had but a serious accident, which greatly damaged the C8, so that a start in the race was not thinking. Peter Sauber started the car indeed rebuild, but the chassis 01 was only used as an exhibition vehicle.

1986 denied the Sauber team the whole Group C championship with the C8 and reached at the end of the year in fifth place in the overall standings. The chassis 02 in 1987 sold to Noël del Bello, in the same year in Le Mans went to the start with it. The reconstructed 01 still stands today with Peter Sauber in Hinwil.