A 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG with a long list of modifications jumps out on a Ferrari 430 on an airstrip.
This interesting drag race between a 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG and a Ferrari 430 Scuderia was posted on the forum by Alex L in a thread where he was running through the extensive mod list for his high performance SUV. In addition to a bunch of aesthetic upgrades, the OP has added some serious performance upgrades, allowing his ML55 to jump out to an early lead against the bright red Ferrari.
Kleemann-Heavy ML55 AMG
As Alex L explained in his thread, his 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG has a Kleenmann twin screw supercharger, Kleemann headers and catless mids, a Kleemann camshaft package, a Kleenmann fuel system upgrade and a Supersprint Performance cat-back exhaust system. The result of these upgrades is an output of roughly 550 horsepower, which when coupled with the all-wheel drive system makes this one wicked-fast luxury SUV.
He also included a bunch of pictures, but the Flickr account appears to be gone, so the images don’t work and that is why we used the Mercedes stock image above. Fortunately, you can see the actual vehicle in the video above from The Funkyair YouTube channel as it walks away from the Ferrari 430 at the Vmax Hammer event.
Of course, we should point out that on the top end of the track, the Ferrari does come around to beat the ML55 AMG, but with the 430 spinning as it comes off of the starting line – the surefooted Mercedes-Benz is able to jump out to an impressive early lead. Had this been a race on an 8th-mile drag strip rather than a long runway, the ML55 would have easily taken the win, but even in losing, this is an impressive effort for the luxury SUV.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
