SILVER ARROWS ON TARGET FOR GOODWOOD

Mercedes-Benz is bringing four, original, pre-WWII 'Silver Arrows' racers to the annual Goodwood Revival, scheduled for 14-16 September at the historic Goodwood circuit in West Sussex, UK.

These priceless Grand Prix cars, in company ownership since they were built, and authentic in virtually every detail, will be demonstrated around the 3.83km track under simulated race conditions.

Its promoters claim the Revival is the world's most popular historic motor race meeting, and the only event of its kind to be staged entirely in a nostalgic pre-1960s time capsule.

Sports car races feature models typically entered in events at the circuit between 1948 and 1966. The single-seater races are reserved for monoposti of all sizes, and the program includes classic car auctions and exhibitions, an air show, a supermarket selling vintage products, and a traditional fairground. As well, race participants and visitors dress in period clothing, contributing to the extraordinary atmosphere of this unique motor sport event.

The earliest Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow at Goodwood will be the W25 of 1934. This 750kg, 260kW missile is powered by a mechanically supercharged 3.4-litre in-line eight-cylinder engine. Debuting at the International Eifel race at the Nurburgring, the W25 lined up at the start in silver as Mercedes-Benz had stipped the paint from its cars to save weight. The 'Silver Arrow' nickname was soon attached to it, and stuck fast.

The W125 arrived in 1937, powered by a thundering 441kW supercharged straight eight and famously won the Tripoli Grand Prix on debut in May of that year. The W154 arrived in 1938, powered by a 344kW supercharged V12 (to comply with new regulations), and the W165 was developed in less than eight months to accommodate new rules for 1939, and featured a screaming 1.5-litre, supercharged V8 engine producing 187kW.