AMG Driving Academy | Road Atlanta 2010:

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Video:

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG:

2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG:

SLS AMG GT3:

Mercedes-AMG offers Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) members special pricing to attend the AMG Driving Academy. The discounts are significant and it only costs $45 to join the club (www.mbca.org). You get it – join MBCA and you’ll qualify for the AMG Driving Academy special pricing discounts listed below (U.S. tracks – see below).

What is the AMG Driving Academy?

AMG Driving Academy offers the opportunity to develop performance driving skills under the guidance of professional racers and instructors. The high performance driving school takes place at two of the most legendary US circuits, Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca Raceway. AMG Driving Academy offers three distinct programs, each of which will push drivers to the limit in select AMG vehicles, including the most-advanced AMG vehicle ever built, the 2011 SLS AMG. Read on for discounts –

Basic (one-day course): MBCA Member Price: $1,495
(Normally: $1,795)

• Intense, one-day track program focuses on performance driving dynamics.

Advanced (two-day course): MBCA Member Price: $2,695
(Normally: $3,295)

• Two-day program picks up where Basic leaves off, providing advanced training and technical on-track instruction.

Pro (three-day course): MBCA Member Price: $1,900
(Normally: $3,995)

• The pinnacle of AMG Driving Academy, PRO offers three-days of focused instruction and applied analytics to refine and perfect driving capabilities.

AMG DRIVING ACADEMY DATES

(Visit the AMG Driving Academy website for updates; published August 2, 2010)

BASIC Training — Laguna Seca
Intense, one-day track program focused on performance driving dynamics.

• August 27, 2010
• August 28, 2010
• August 29, 2010
• September 25, 2010
• October 29, 2010
• October 30, 2010
• November 12, 2010

ADVANCED Training – Laguna Seca
Two-day program picks up where Basic leaves off, providing advanced training and technical on-track instruction.

• September 25-27, 2010
• November 12-14, 2010

(Check www.amgacademy.com for updates and registration)

ADVANCED Training – Road Atlanta
No available 2010 dates after June for Road Atlanta (Check www.amgacademy.com for updates)

PRO TRAINING – Laguna Seca
No available dates (Check www.amgacademy.com for updates)

PRO TRAINING – Road Atlanta
No available 2010 dates after June (Check www.amgacademy.com for updates)

For additional scheduling, registration or more info, visit www.AMGacademy.com or call 1-800-217-6916.

Here’s the latest info we received at AMG Market:

The AMG Driving Academy is taking place on two of the most legendary U.S. tracks, Road Atlanta (GA) and Laguna Seca Raceway (CA). Participants will experience AMG’s true performance capabilities with the help of trained race instructors and some of the finest hand-crafted performance vehicles made by Mercedes-Benz.

GET READY for an experience that you will never forget… GET SET for some of the best training at two of the world’s best circuits… Accelerate your heartbeat!

ROAD ATLANTA BASIC TRAINING
May 14-15, 2010

ROAD ATLANTA BASIC TRAINING
May 15-16, 2010

BASIC TRAINING – $1,795
Intense, one-day track program focused on performance driving. Learn the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics and car control maneuvers. (*Formerly Stage 1)

ADVANCED TRAINING – $3,295
This two-day program picks up where Basic Training leaves off, providing advanced training and technical on-track instruction. **Formerly Stage II. Registrants must have completed either the AMG Basic program, an AMG Challenge or equivalent program.

PRO TRAINING – $3,995
The pinnacle of the AMG Driving Academy curriculum, Pro offers increased instruction while challenging and improving capabilities. ***Registrants must have completed the AMG Advanced program, AMG Challenge Advanced.

ROAD ATLANTA – GEORGIA
Road Atlanta is recognized as one the world’s best race tracks. Beautiful, challenging, historic and justifiably famous, this 2.54 mile track offers 12 complex turns including the famous Esses and travels through an expansive 750 acre park-like environment.

LAGUNA SECA – CALIFORNIA
The legendary Laguna Seca Raceway in scenic Monterey, CA is home to five world-class races and is renowned for its infamous Corkscrew turn. Covering 2.238 miles with 11 complex turns and 180′ of elevation change, Laguna Seca is one of the world’s “must-drive” courses.

For more info and registration, Visit AMGacademy.com

FULL PRESS RELEASE FROM MBUSA, MONTVALE, NJ:

Following its inaugural year in the U.S., Mercedes-AMG is presenting a new season for driving enthusiasts who want to sharpen their advanced driving skills at the AMG Driving Academy. Among the list of enhancements is the addition of a Pro Level for 2010. Under the guidance of top professional instructors, the AMG Driving Academy offers the opportunity to personally experience the excitement of motorsports and the track capabilities of Mercedes-AMG vehicles including the all new 563 hp SLS AMG, capable of 0-60 mph in less than four seconds.

Originally founded by Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach, Germany in 2007, the AMG Driving Academy launched in the U.S. in 2009. More than six-hundred driving enthusiasts participated in the advanced driver program last year, and participants now have the opportunity to attend an advanced three-day Pro Level program at one of the top circuits in the U.S., Road Atlanta. Program participants have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of several AMG models including the E63 AMG, SL63 AMG, C63 AMG, SLK55 AMG and SLS AMG.

The program features custom-designed exercises to experience and teach dynamic driving capabilities across two of the top tracks in the U.S:

• Road Atlanta (Braselton, GA) – May 15-16, June 11-14 & 28-30, 2010
  • For more than 40 years, Road Atlanta has lured top tier sports car and motorcycle racers from around the world. This 2.54-mile, 12-turn road course is one of the most technically challenging in the U.S.
• Laguna Seca Raceway (Monterey, CA) –
  August 27-29, September 25-27, October 29-30 and November 12-14, 2010
  • Located in one of North America’s best destination locations — the Monterey Peninsula — Laguna Seca features tremendous elevation changes, the famous Corkscrew complex and 2.24 sinewy miles of twisty asphalt.

The AMG Driving Academy Basic, Advanced and new Pro Level for 2010:

• Basic ($1,795 per participant): Intense one-day track program focuses on performance driving dynamics. Participants learn the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics and car control maneuvers using customized exercises. Once participants perfect car control and handling, they progress to a set of high-speed exercises that make use of the entire track.
  • Road Atlanta: May 15-16 & June 11 – 12
  • Laguna Seca Raceway: August 27-29, Sept. 25, Oct. 29-30 and Nov. 12
• Advanced ($3,295 per participant): Two-day program picks up where Basic leaves off, providing advanced training and technical on-track instruction. Onboard diagnostics and data capture enable detailed computer analysis and evaluation. The Advanced program is offered to drivers who complete either the Basic Level, AMG Challenge, European Driving Academy program or an equivalent course.
  • Road Atlanta: June 13-14, 2010
  • Laguna Seca Raceway: September 26-27 & November 13-14
• Pro ($3,995 per participant): The pinnacle of the AMG Driving Academy curriculum, Pro program offers increased instruction while challenging and improving capabilities and skills to a much greater degree. During the three day program, participants train on the legendary Road Atlanta circuit. As speeds increase and skills improve, open lapping provides the maximum challenge and thrill. With an intense curriculum, AMG experienced instructors prepare participants to confidently negotiate the signature corners of Road Atlanta.
  • Road Atlanta: June 28-30, 2010

All fees include a dinner reception and introductory briefing the evening before the program, track hospitality, AMG Driving Academy certificate of program completion and an AMG gift bag. Participants are responsible for travel and accommodations. Additional information and registration for the AMG Driving Academy is available at www.AMGacademy.com.

Tommy Kendall is best-known for his dominating SCCA Trans-Am Series career where he won four championships in the 1990′s, including a near perfect season in 1997 where he won nearly every race on the schedule. Tommy is a successful television broadcaster and analyst today, and is currently hosting the Speed Test Drive on SpeedTV.

“I’m very excited about being a part of this incredible program with Mercedes-Benz and AMG says Tommy Kendall. I’ve had a great relationship with Mercedes-Benz and the AMG Challenge for many years, but as a racer, you are always looking to push the performance envelope to the limits of both yourself and your equipment.”

“People always tell me that I have the greatest job in the world on ‘Test Drive’ because I get to push incredible vehicles to the limit on great race tracks, and then evaluate how they perform. The AMG Driving Academy gives people the chance to do just that by really picking up the pace from where the Challenge leaves off, and push participants and AMG vehicles to the limit at three of my favorite tracks in the U.S. Graduates can then advance through higher levels of the AMG Academy systems both here in the U.S. and in Europe, which is another great benefit of this program.”

You can join Tommy Kendall at the U.S.-debut of this world-renowned high performance driver training program this Fall, continuing the global expansion of the AMG Driving Academy founded by AMG in Affalterbach.

We are privileged to offer you the exciting opportunity to be one of the first participants here in the United States. Experience the true performance capabilities of a selection of the latest AMG vehicles ­by getting behind the wheel, on a racetrack, and receiving coaching from world-class professional racers and instructors at three legendary racetracks: Laguna Seca Raceway (CA), Lime Rock Park (CT), and Palm Beach International Raceway (FL).Only a limited number of seats are still available for a discount of 20% at Palm Beach International Raceway and Lime Rock Park if you enroll by August 31, 2009.

AMG Driving Academy Registration Center phone: 800-217-6916
For program info, including dates and track details, visit the
AMG Driving Academy Website.

And, you can be one of the lucky few to drive the all-new 2011 SLS AMG, which is being offered at the Stage I Programs at Laguna Seca Raceway only. The 2011 SLS AMG is one of the most technologically advanced AMG Mercedes ever.

Here is an excerpt of the email notice received this morning from MBUSA:

AMG Driving Academy in the U.S.

This world-renowned driver training program arrives in the United States this Fall, continuing the global expansion of the AMG Driving Academy founded by AMG in Affalterbach.

We are privileged to offer you the exciting opportunity to be one of the first participants here in the United States. This highly exclusive program will be offered at three legendary racetracks: Laguna Seca Raceway (CA), Lime Rock Park (CT), and Palm Beach International Raceway (FL).

Experience the true performance capabilities of a selection of the latest AMG vehicles by getting behind the wheel, on a racetrack, and receiving coaching from professional racers and instructors.

A limited number of seats are available at an early registration DISCOUNT of 20% if you enroll by Friday June 19, 2009.

Please call the AMG Driving Academy registration center at 1-800-217-6916 to learn more and register today. For additional program information, including dates and track details, please click here.

The fast-paced combination of in-car and classroom training on the country’s premier racetracks will create an experience that you’ll cherish for life.

Fine print: MBUSA, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to terminate the AMG Driving Academy Program entirely and/or to modify, change, alter and/or delete any and all terms, conditions and rules regarding: 1) the AMG Driving Academy Program in general; 2) customer participation in the AMG Driving Academy Program; and 3) the nature, level, value, frequency and amount of any individual prizes and awards to be given to any program participants, at any time before and/or during the course of the AMG Driving Academy Program without notice.

Again, note that the all-new 2011 SLS AMG will join the Stage I Programs at Laguna Seca Raceway only.

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

Choose from a

one-day or advanced two-day program, offered at three legendary racetracks: Laguna Seca (CA), Lime Rock (CT) and Palm Beach
International Raceway (FL).

Regardless of the program and track you choose, you’ll enjoy world-class, high performance driver training. Graduates will gain eligibility for advanced AMG Driving Academy programs across the globe.

Pricing – AMG Driving Academy in the United States

Stage I Program  $1,895
These intense, one-day track programs begin with performance driving dynamics. Experience AMG power and performance and enhance the skills that can make you a better driver for life.

In the morning, learn the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics and car control maneuvers using customized exercises in various AMG vehicles. 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.

Dig a little deeper in your wallet if you want to drive the 2011 AMG SLS:

Stage I SLS PROGRAM  $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 in Monterey. Space for these exclusive programs is extremely limited.

Stage II Program $3,495

This two-day program picks up where Stage I leaves off, providing advanced training and technical on-track instruction. As an advanced program, Stage II is offered to drivers who have completed either Stage I, an AMG Challenge or European Driving Academy program or an equivalent course. The morning of  the first day provides vehicle dynamics and control exercises to optimize your skills.

The afternoon progresses quickly to track driving with section training. The second day is pure track, with a variety of sessions designed to extract your maximum potential. A feature unique to the Stage II program is the  introduction of detailed computer analysis and evaluation of each driver through an onboard diagnostics and data acquisition system with in-car cameras. Instructors review captured data with drivers to help them push their skills to higher levels.

To flex your improved driving abilities, a performance-course competition will allow drivers to compete head-to -head for best course time and a grand prize at the end of all Stage I and II programs.

Prices for Stage I and II programs do not include travel and accommodations.

Dates & Venues

Lime Rock Par k (Lime Rock, CT)

Stage I Program: September 9, 10, 11, 12
Stage II Program: September 14 – 15

Few tracks are as well-known and loved. This prestigious facility is the setting for the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix and has been a favorite destination for prominent racing events since the first weekend race held there 52 years ago. The park-like setting is also the headquarters of the renowned Skip Barber Racing School, whose alumni read like a who’s who of IRL, NASCAR and Grand Am royalty.

Palm Beach International Raceway (Jupiter, FL)

Stage I Program: September 22, 23, 24, 25
Stage II Program: September 26 – 27

Boasting an 11-turn, 2.034-mile design, the newly improved Palm Beach International Raceway offers some of the fastest and most challenging corners, elevation changes and straightaways of any track in North America. The recently reconfigured, seamless track hosts some of the world’s fastest cars and racing events such as the IndyCar Series, Indy Lights and Grand Am.

Laguna Seca Raceway (Monterey Peninsula, CA)

Stage I SLS Program: November 17, 18, 19, 20
Stage II Program: November 7-8

Tremendous elevation changes. The famous Corkscrew complex. One of the only counter-clockwise circuits in North America. Laguna Seca is one of the world’s great circuits 2.24 sinewy miles in one of the country’s most picturesque destinations, the Monterey peninsula. This legendary track has showcased some of history’s most illustrious car and motorcycle racers, making it a logical choice as the exclusive Driving Academy venue offering the Stage I SLS programs.

This week alone, several people inquired about the AMG Challenge event dates for 2009. The answer, there are none – AMG Challenge has been discontinued! But hold on now. The world-renowned driver-training program from Mercedes-AMG arrives in the USA this September (2009); the AMG Driving Academy.

The “AMG Driving Academy” has replaced the AMG Challenge events for 2009. The new driving program is a major departure from the AMG Challenge in that there will be additional emphasis on driver training versus the experience of a test drive at speed. You can read a press release for the overall AMG Driving Academy here.

The following dates and venues have been released by Mercedes-AMG (stay tuned for pricing and registration info):

Lime Rock Park (Lime Rock, CT)

Stage I Program: September 9, 10, 11, 12
Stage II Program: September 14 – 15

With fifty years of legacy, Lime Rock Park is unlike any other track. There is a reason the word  is in the name, as over three hundred acres of natural Northwest Connecticut beauty surround the 1.53-mile track.

Palm Beach International Raceway (Jupiter, FL)

Stage I Program: September 22, 23, 24, 25
Stage II Program: September 26 – 27

Get your heart racing and fulfill the need for speed by experiencing the exhilaration of road course racing. Boasting an 11-turn, 2.034-mile design, PBIR’s road course features some of the fastest and most challenging corners, elevation changes and straightaways offered by any track in North America. Currently IRL-Sanctioned and pending FIA-certification, PBIR’s track host some of the worlds fastest cars and racing series such as the IndyCar Series, Indy Lights and Grand Am. Technologically superior, the road course showcases a seamless table-top smooth finish, full lighting, S.A.V.E. soft barriers, run-off areas, as well as, host various acclaimed driving schools.

Laguna Seca Raceway (Monterrey Peninsula, CA)

Stage I SLS Program: November 17, 18, 19, 20
Stage II Program: November 7-8

At this track, you can experience the famous Turn 8 and 8A combination, popularly referred to as the Corkscrew, which is considered one of the motorsport world’s most challenging turns due to the drop in elevation as well as its blind crest and apex on the uphill approach.

Turn 2, with its difficult and technical double-apex, has been renamed the ‘Andretti Hairpin’, in honor of former Formula 1 World Champion Mario Andretti, while Turn 9 has been renamed ‘Rainey Curve’ in honor of 500cc Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champion Wayne Rainey, a resident of nearby Salinas, California. Also the straight that runs between Turn 6 and Turn 7 has been renamed the ‘Rahal Straight’ after four-time consecutive Champ Car race winner Bobby Rahal.

Subscribe here for updates as they are published (pricing and registration info will be available shortly – stay tuned!).