The focus of the stand design was the exciting Schaeffler Motorsport green-yellow AGM-Jimco X6 SCORE Trophy Truck of rally driver Armin Schwarz, who will take part in the toughest race in the world, the Baja 1000, in mid-November. Schaeffler is not only sponsor and supplier for Armin Schwarz and the All German Motorsports Team, but an important development partner as well. Inside the green-yellow "desert lizard" are a host of Schaeffler products - from bearings to a torque converter, developed by Schaeffler engineers.
Over 3,000 people got a shot of pure adrenaline at the show by participating in the "Schaeffler Rally Experience", where they had to master challenging sections of a desert rally on 3D full-motion simulators at the stand. Thomas Kraiczok was not only faster than the reference time from Armin Schwarz, he left the competition behind in the final race as well. With this victory, the engineering student at the Cologne University of Applied Sciences drove home "Schaeffler Rally Experience's" main prize. He will travel with Armin Schwarz's team to the toughest rally in the world, where he'll take part in preparations for the Baja 1000, accompany the team when they inspect the route the rally will take, and ride in the support vehicle.
Other Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket highlights at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show were original-equipment spare parts from the LuK, INA and FAG brands exhibited on emulated desert rocks. There were also interactive modules that clearly displayed how technically-complex Schaeffler products function. Visitors were especially interested in the LuK RepSet® 2CT, a repair solution from Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket that makes it possible for independent garages to repair dry double-clutches for the very first time.
"About 100,000 visitors, roughly 3,000 participants in the 'Schaeffler Rally Experience', coupled to enormous interest for our products, innovations and repair solutions - all this attest to how successful we were at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. Our innovative spirit, our passion for what we do, and our first-class products and service quality, impressed visitors to our stand - regardless of their age or nationality", says Rouven Daniel, Director Marketing & Communications Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket.