Mercedes AMG Driving Academy Returns with the 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG

AMG enthusiasts lucky enough to live in the US and pocketed enough to afford track training fees upwards of US$2,200 can get their hands on the brand new SLS AMG for a few hours. The AMG Driving Academy is being launched Stateside over three tracks; Lime Rock Park (Lime Rock, CT) - September 9 - 15, Palm Beach International Raceway (West Palm Beach, FL) - September 22 - 27 and Laguna Seca Raceway (Monterey, CA) - November 7 - 8 and 17 - 20.

Founded in Affalterbach in 2007 the academy aims to stimulate customers' senses through the experience of driving their favourite AMGs around a controlled and safe environment under the guidance of professionals.

Cars to be used are the E63 AMG, the SL63 AMG, the C63 AMG, the SLK55 AMG and the CLK63 AMG Black Series. The main treat is of course the SLS AMG course which is conducted at Laguna Seca Raceway, includes an overnight stay at the InterContinental Hotel in Monterey and costs US$2,295.

There are two other programmes on offer. The AMG Driving Academy Stage I is a one-day course that teaches the fundamentals of performance driving and car control. Students will get a chance to test their skills later in the day. Expect to pay US$1,895 per person.

Lastly participants can go with the AMG Driving Academy Stage II two-day programme that gets quite technical and in-depth. Drivers will only be allowed to enrol if they have completed the first stage or something similar. It will cost US$3,495 per participant.

Press Release

Mercedes AMG is offering driving enthusiasts a chance to fulfill their dreams of driving top performance vehicles and sharpening their racing skills with the U.S. launch of its AMG Driving Academy. The AMG Driving Academy is an advanced driver training program that allows enthusiasts, under the guidance of top professional instructors, to experience the excitement of motorsports and the track capabilities of Mercedes-AMG vehicles.

Originally founded by AMG in Affalterbach, Germany in 2007, the AMG Driving Academy arrives Stateside in September 2009 and offers an opportunity to get behind the wheel of several AMG models including the all new E63 AMG, SL63 AMG, C63 AMG, SLK55 AMG and the CLK63 AMG Black Series. The program features custom-designed excercises that showcase the dynamic driving capabilitlies of these AMG vehicles across three premier tracks:

Lime Rock Park (Lime Rock, CT) - September 9-15, 2009
Few tracks are as well known and loved. This classic 1.53-mile, 7-turn course, nestled in the Berkshire Mountains of northwest Connecticut continues to challenge some of the world's best drivers since 1957.

Palm Beach International Raceway (West Palm Beach, FL) - September 22-27, 2009
Boasting an 11-turn, 2.034-mile design, Palm Beach International Raceway road course features some of the fastest and most challenging corners and straightaway's offered by any track in North America.

Laguna Seca Raceway (Monterey, CA) - November 7-8 & 17-20, 2009
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.

The AMG Driving Academy launches with two program levels:

• AMG Driving Academy Stage I: A one day program designed to teach the fundamentals of performance driving dynamics and car control maneuvers using customized exercises that emphasize the power and handling capabilities of AMG vehicles. Drivers will also test their skills on the track at high speeds and during performance course competition. The AMG Driving Academy Stage I program fee is $1,895.00 per participant

• AMG Driving Academy Stage I SLS: Drivers attending the AMG Driving Academy Stage One at Laguna Seca Raceway from November 17-20 will have the opportunity to be among the very first to drive the most technologically advanced AMG ever - the all-new 2011 SLS AMG. The AMG Driving Academy Stage 1 SLS program fee is $2,295.00 per participant which includes a one night stay at the InterContinental Hotel in Monterey.

• AMG Driving Academy Stage II: A two-day program that provides a deep level of technical driver training both on and off the track. As an advanced program, Stage 2 is offered to drivers who have completed Stage I or an equivalent course. The program offers significantly more track driving over Stage 1 to extract a driver's maximum potential in a performance driving setting. A unique feature of Stage II is the use of computer driver training and evaluation through advanced onboard diagnostics and in-car camera recordings of their laps. This program also includes a competitive performance course competition. The AMG Driving Academy Stage II program fee is $3,495.00 per participant.