The AMG Driving Academy - Driver Training courses and events to suit all requirements: From Emotion To Masters

AFFALTERBACH, GERMANY – March 18, 2009: Mercedes-AMG helps its customers to achieve flawless car control by offering Driver Training courses and events tailored to individual requirements. Here the focus is on driving pleasure, driving safety and passion, complemented by a top-quality support programme including typical local culinary delicacies and professional customer care. The AMG Driving Academyprogramme covers five skill levels (EMOTION, BASIC, ADVANCED, PRO and MASTERS) and offers the perfect event for any requirements. This may be anything from lifestyle-oriented events (EMOTION), and courses which take the participants through their first experience of driving at the limit (BASIC) on exclusive test and race circuits, to intensive race circuit training with data recording and individual coaching (ADVANCED, PRO, MASTERS), and pure driving pleasure on ice and snow in Swedish Lapland. Spa-Francorchamps, the Nürburgring Nordschleife and Hockenheim are the legendary race circuits where licensed instructors with extensive motor racing experience pass on their expertise to the AMG drivers. Their aim is to set the pulse of each participant racing purely through the force of driving pleasure. Below is an overview of all the events offered by the AMG Driving Academy: Emotion: These lifestyle-oriented events send a maximum of 30 participants off for exquisite gala menus on interesting routes through captivating scenery in cars provided by AMG. A tour of the AMG plant in Affalterbach at the outset, meanwhile, offers them exclusive insights. The AMGCommunity sees the participants enjoy exciting events in very special locations. One to three days in duration, the events also treat participants to top-class sporting events such as a DTM-racing weekend or cultural highlights such as the Bregenz Festival, for example. Prices from 285 euros.

Basic: The focus of this training course is on ensuring safe and confident reactions behind the wheel. In a professional environment the participants develop the expertise to tackle their first few laps of driving at the limit, with a detailed theory-based introduction unit providing the basis. The instructors not only highlight the fundamentals of driving physics, but also look at seating position, steering wheel control, the correct line of sight and safety rules. The practical section gives the participants the chance to assess and enhance their driving skills in their own AMG cars or in models provided by AMG, and to explore the capabilities of the various driver assistance systems. This training course also focuses on understeer and oversteer, slalom and lane change manoeuvres, as well as braking and evasive manoeuvres around obstacles appearing suddenly. A team of mechanics from AMG is permanently on hand to assist. BASIC Training courses take place on the German Hockenheimring, Sachsenring and Nürburgring Grand Prix race circuits and at the Bosch testing centre in Boxberg – driving pleasure is therefore guaranteed. The maximum group size is ten, with two participants sharing each car provided by AMG. One instructor is assigned to each of the maximum of five groups. As a highlight to round off the event, each participant has the opportunity to experience performance in its purest form from the passenger seat of a specially prepared C 63 AMGPerformance Car driven by one of the professional AMG instructors. Prices from 980 euros. Advanced: The second stage of AMG Training concentrates on developing driving skills and sporty driving. In addition to the fundamentals of driving physics, the theory introduction covers primarily cornering technique, the ideal line and braking points. However, the functioning of the various driver assistance systems, safety rules and behaviour required to ensure safety during the training also play a central role in this unit. The practical section of the course on the race circuit gives the participants the chance to put into practice what they’ve learnt. Section training sees the instructors explore in detail the particular characteristics of each section of corners, while guided driving behind the instructor makes it easier for the participants to identify the ideal line and braking points. The ADVANCED Training courses generally use cars provided by AMG, so the participants have the opportunity to put various models from the current AMG range through their paces.

Professional data recording helps the drivers to analyse their personal driving style, allowing them to identify mistakes and put instructions into practice. The three-day ADVANCE Training courses take place at race circuits known around the world, such as Spa-Francorschamps (Belgium), Imola (Italy), Zandvoort (Netherlands) and the Hockenheimring (Germany). The AMGteam of mechanics are on hand to answer all technical questions. ADVANCED Training courses can accommodate a maximum of five groups, each of eight participants. One instructor is assigned to each group and two participants share each car. The event rises to a suitably thrilling climax with the chance for the participants to sit in the passenger seat as a professional racing driver takes them for a spin in the AMG Race Taxi. Prices from 2540 euros.

Pro: This three-day event is held exclusively on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany– the world’s toughest race circuit. Completion of the BASIC Training is required to take part in the PRO Training. Participants drive either their own or hired AMG cars and are given a theory introduction before driving out onto the 20.8- km Nordschleife. The AMG instructors take the participants through the particular characteristics of the circuit and give them a run-down of the training schedule, fitness issues and the health-related aspects of safe driving. A warm-up in the driving safety centre at the Nürburgring serves to refresh memories on the fundamentals of driving dynamics and assists the practical preparation of the participants.

After exploring the Nordschleife one section at a time, the eight groups of eight participants drive around the Nürburgring behind the guiding instructor. A co-instructor follows behind each of the groups. The drivers are then left to drive freely, with the option of being accompanied by an instructor in the passenger seat. All participants benefit from the knowledge of the experts in sports medicine accompanying the course and, if desired, the participants’ heart rates are recorded and evaluated through each day. On the AMG PRO Training and AMGMASTERS “Sports Trophy” courses, official Mercedes-Benz DTM motorsport doctor, Dr Markus Schmitt, oversees this area. Each morning sees the participants take part in “Driver Fitness”, a short training programme conducted by the sports physiologist.

In addition, the participants can have a data recording device fitted in the car. The values recorded go beyond longitudinal and lateral acceleration, for example, to include data on personal driving style, which is then evaluated individually by an expert. The concluding AMGCompetition in the form of a regularity test underlines the sporting character of the training. At the end of the event the participants can enjoy a passenger’s-eye experience of the ‘Ring in the AMG Race Taxi. AMG mechanics and the team from Pirelli – an AMG Driving Academy technology partner – provide the participants with technical support throughout the event. Prices from 2350 euros.

Masters “Sports Trophy”: The highest level of the AMG Driving Academyteaches the participants how to analyse the characteristics of a circuit and car flawlessly. Special assessment tests carried out according to the specially developed MASTERS regulations help each participant to explore his or her own potential and allow intensive competition with like-minded colleagues. The 25 drivers at each of the four events collect points for the overall classification, with a unique first prize awaiting the winner – the chance to drive the current AMG Mercedes C-Class from the DTM. Completion of an AMG ADVANCED, AMG PRO Training or comparable driver training course is required to participate in the AMGMASTERS “Sports Trophy”. The event follows a similar pattern to a professional race series from the technical inspection of the cars to the podium ceremony. Plus, participants who are resident in Germanyalso have the chance to acquire a national Level A DMSB driver’s licence.

The three- and four-day MASTERS Training courses take place at the Sachsenring (Germany), Zandvoort (Netherlands) and Brno (Czech Republic) race circuits and the Ascari Race Resort in Spain. Participants drive their own AMG cars, although the SLK 55 AMG Black Series and CLK 63 AMG Black Series are available to hire at an extra charge. All participants’ cars are fitted with a data recording system. A data analysis expert and sports medicine input from the official Mercedes-Benz DTM motorsport doctor, Dr Markus Schmitt, are both fixed elements of the course. Technical assistance from the AMG mechanics and Pirelli tyre experts both come as part of the package, as does support from AMG chassis specialists. Similarly to professional motorsport, this allows every participant to work out an optimum chassis set-up tailored to the demands of the particular circuit. Also on the programme are the “Driver Fitness” training unit and the extensive theory section including a chassis seminar, sports medicine input, driver discussions and race circuit analysis. Prices from 3690 euros.

Wintry driving pleasure in Swedish Lapland
A very special experience is offered by the AMG Winter Sporting event, which takes place in Arjeplog, Sweden – not far from the Arctic Circle. Participants drive the AMG high-performance cars provided exclusively on a closed-off ice surface. All the cars are fitted with special spike tyres, which ensure a precisely defined level of grip. Various handling courses, curves with different radii and a perfectly prepared vehicle dynamics area guarantee maximum driving enjoyment and an ongoing improvement in personal driving skills. A wide-ranging support programme for the event, characterised by a typical local atmosphere and snowmobile tours, rounds off the four- and five-day events in Swedish Lapland. Also included is a ride in the AMG Ice Taxi, a specially prepared AMG car fitted with the special spike tyres used by FIA WRC rally cars. The exclusive AMG Lodge opened in 2009 in the middle of the breathtaking landscape of Swedish Lapland. The AMG-owned hotel on Mount Galtisnear Arjeplog provides a fabulous view over the forests and lakes of the region. The exclusive rooms, excellent restaurant and large spa area including swimming pool and fitness studio guarantee a thoroughly pleasant stay.

The five-day AMGWinter Sporting PRO programme is a professional training course with a reduced number of participants, personal coaching and data recording. The aim here is to achieve flawless car control on ice and snow. The chance to drive the AMGIce Taxi is a highlight of the event for every participant. Prices: 3540 euros/4890 euros.