German Car Zone

Get behind the wheel of several of the latest AMG vehicles and experience a pulse-pounding, fast paced driver training program. Learn from professional racers and driving instructors on the country's premier racetracks and gain memories that you'll cherish and skills that will serve you for a lifetime.

The U.S. expansion of the international AMG Driving Academy, founded by AMG in Affalterbach, begins this Fall. You can choose from one-day Stage I program, a two-day advanced Stage II program, and an exclusive SLS program, offering the chance for track time in the all-new 2011 SLS AMG. The AMG Driving Academy is offered at three premier racetracks: Laguna Seca Raceway(CA), Lime Rock Park (CT) and Palm Beach International Raceway (FL).

As a true performance driving school, the AMG Driving Academy succeeds the popular AMG Challenge events. In the Stage I program, you’ll experience specially crafted, hands-on lessons in dynamic performance driving: exercises in threshold braking, cornering and line theory, skid control and recovery, and high speed sector training and track driving, all designed to make you a safer, better driver. Stage II builds on your skills with high-performance dynamics training, extensive data gathering and in-depth driving style analysis – and of course a lot of laps on the track.

Drive the all-new 2011 SLS AMG months ahead of launch: Drivers attending the AMG Driving Academy in Laguna Seca on select dates have the opportunity to be among the very first to drive the most technologically advanced AMG ever, the all-new 2011 SLS AMG.

Program Highlights

» Choose from three internationally respected racetracks in the U.S.

» Receive intense, high-quality training from the world’s best professional racers and instructors

» Engage in custom-designed exercises that showcase AMG vehicles’ extraordinary dynamic driving capabilities in an authentic environment

» Get behind the wheel of several AMG models, to appreciate the dynamic nuances of each

» Experience greater in-depth instruction, driver development and seat time than offered in the
former AMG Challenge

» Enjoy an exclusive dinner reception and introductory briefing the evening before your program


- Accelerate Your Heartbeat

All this for free?

Nope -

Stage I (1-day) » $1,895

These intense, one-day track programs focus on performance driving dynamics. In the morning, learn the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics and car control maneuvers using customized exercises. Once you perfect car control and handling, you’ll progress in the afternoon to a set of high-speed exercises that make use of the full length of these prestigious tracks.

Stage II (2-day) » $3,495

This two-day program picks up where Stage I leaves off, providing advanced training and technical on-track instruction. Onboard diagnostics and data capture enable detailed computer analysis and evaluation of each driver. As an advanced program, Stage II is offered to drivers who have completed either Stage I, and AMG Challenge or European Driving Academy program or equivalent course.

Stage I SLS » $2,295

Enjoy the exclusive opportunity of track time in our most anticipated vehicle ever, months before official market launch. The all-new 2011 SLS AMG will join the Stage I programs at Laguna Seca Raceway only. These programs will be enhanced and modified to highlight the unique attributes of the SLS AMG. Included in the cost is a one-night accommodation at the luxurious InterContinental Hotel overlooking Monterey Bay.

- https://www.amgacademy.com/course.aspx?url=1

Everything nice comes at a price

BTW, I'd really love to attend one of those performance driving academies BMW and MB offer. It must be a hell of an experience...

I am sure it will be. I would love the chance to get behind the wheel of a SLS before it even hits the streets.

And they have plenty of time slots available -

• Lime Rock Park (CT) - September 10, 11, 12
• Palm Beach International Raceway (FL) - September 22, 23, 24, 25
• Lime Rock Park (CT) - September 14-15
• Palm Beach International Raceway (FL) - September 26-27
• Laguna Seca Raceway (CA) - November 7-8
• Stage I SLS Laguna Seca Raceway (CA) - November 17, 18, 19, 20

Nice, but nothing at Mercedes-Benz/AMG is free...lol.

M

The SLS one is full. It is actually close to where I am (Laguna Seca), so I looked into it.

They're so f__king expensive. When I did the AUDI experience, it was less than half the price and I got 1 whole day. Of course, it will be nice to drive the SLS and see how it is.

True, only regular MB events like the Mercedes-Benz Love Tour and events like the C-party. Usually those events you can drive around a parking lots. They usually set up some cones as a guide. Last time I went, I drove the E,S,CLK and S-class. They had a huge tent set up and had plenty of snacks and loads of Voss water (People came out the tent with 5 bottles of Voss water in their hands). Unfortunately there hasn't been too many events lately.

I guess the prices makes sense considering rental cost and I'm sure they have to pay the Professional Racers and Instructors as well. Wish they were bring the SL65 AMG Black series, but I guess the CLK version should be enough. I do wish the S65AMG and CL65AMG were there too.