Watch this 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG run down a couple of BMWs on a road course in Puerto Rico.
AMG vehicles are built to perform in any setting, and the video above shows how well a 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG gets around a road course with a good driver. This video was shared to the forum by DrLove after cadeca posted a thread in the R171 section asking if anyone took their cars to a road course.
“I’ve taken my 2006 R171 out a few times and it has been a lot of fun on the track. The handling is quite good and I love the opportunity to wind it out, especially at tracks with a long straight or half oval (e.g. Autoclub Speedway in Fontana). Definitely recommend it for everyone. It’s a step beyond canyon runs, without the risk of hurting innocent bystanders.”
A few members posted that they spend some time on tracks with turns, but DrLove shared the video above from the YouTube channel of porfiriodiazromero, showing his SLK55 blasting around Salinas Speedway in Puerto Rico.
DrLove’s SLK55 Vs BMWs
The video of DrLove’s Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG scooting around Salinas Speedway is a solo session, but there are some other cars on the track. As we see at the beginning of the clip, the car in front of the Benz is a newer BMW M5 and while it vanishes early in the video, it makes an appearance a couple laps into the run.
The SLK55 is not stock, as after hitting the track in factory form, DrLove modified it for better on-track performance. To improve the power output, this AMG has been fitted with Kleemann headers, high flow catalytic convertors and an X-pipe, as well as a free-flowing K&N air filter package. When tuned with these items, this SLK55 made 345 horsepower at the wheels, which created traction problems.
To address that issue, DrLove added a Wavetrac LSD and a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, while the cornering abilities have been enhanced by a set of Bilstein sport shock absorbers with the stock springs.
The result is a 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG that runs down a couple BMWs on the short road course. Unfortunately, he damaged the engine on this run, but a new powerplant is in the works, so there could be some new videos from DrLove with even more power soon.
"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.
