AMG Academy Basic @ Laguna Seca
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 282
From: Omaha, NE
'16 AMG GTS, '21 AMG GLE53
AMG Academy Basic @ Laguna Seca
Evening all,
Went through the AMG Academy Basic course at Laguna Seca yesterday. Results? Could not recommend enough!! Started out of the gate with the big guns! Our group was lucky enough to start out on the track driving the GT and GTS, then the new E63s sedan, SL63, and ended the morning in the C43. Ended up with about 8 laps each and every one was freaking awesome!! Our group had Kevin and Earnie for instructors and they did an awesome job!
After lunch, we did skid pad in an C63s coupe, then slalom track in the CLA45 AMG and emergency braking in the SLC43 AMG and SL63 AMG. Skid pad was awesome...definitely a challenge getting started though, but I ended up the only one in our group drifting the full circle almost two full orbits. The slalom was definitely the most challenging exorcise though, but our team ended up winning the team competition!
Last treat of the day was taxi laps. I got selected for a full speed lap in the GTR driven by lead AMG instructor AJ Alsup. Helluva ride!
I'll post up the link from the Academy page when all the pics are posted.
Went through the AMG Academy Basic course at Laguna Seca yesterday. Results? Could not recommend enough!! Started out of the gate with the big guns! Our group was lucky enough to start out on the track driving the GT and GTS, then the new E63s sedan, SL63, and ended the morning in the C43. Ended up with about 8 laps each and every one was freaking awesome!! Our group had Kevin and Earnie for instructors and they did an awesome job!
After lunch, we did skid pad in an C63s coupe, then slalom track in the CLA45 AMG and emergency braking in the SLC43 AMG and SL63 AMG. Skid pad was awesome...definitely a challenge getting started though, but I ended up the only one in our group drifting the full circle almost two full orbits. The slalom was definitely the most challenging exorcise though, but our team ended up winning the team competition!
Last treat of the day was taxi laps. I got selected for a full speed lap in the GTR driven by lead AMG instructor AJ Alsup. Helluva ride!
I'll post up the link from the Academy page when all the pics are posted.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 353
From: Michigan
2017 C43 AMG
you have to sign up for private lounge. and from most people it takes roughly 3 months to get the driving academy letter.
OP sick time. I am trying to get to the laguna seca track for the experience.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 282
From: Omaha, NE
'16 AMG GTS, '21 AMG GLE53
Link to my day...I'm the idiot in the blue under armor shirt.
https://www.amgacademy.com/gallery/p...october-3-2017
Regarding invite, I never formally received one. I just signed up based off info from the AMG Academy website and feedback in here. No issues. Buy an AMG, get basic for free.
https://www.amgacademy.com/gallery/p...october-3-2017
Regarding invite, I never formally received one. I just signed up based off info from the AMG Academy website and feedback in here. No issues. Buy an AMG, get basic for free.
Last edited by RichardCranium3; Oct 5, 2017 at 01:03 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2017
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BMW
Nice! Around how many participants were there? Also, was it 8 laps per car that you drove? So 8 on the GT, 8 on the GTS, etc? That's a lot of driving!
I'm joining the November event and I'm really excited for this one.
I'm joining the November event and I'm really excited for this one.
Link to my day...I'm the idiot in the blue under armor shirt.
https://www.amgacademy.com/gallery/p...october-3-2017
Regarding invite, I never formally received one. I just signed up based off info from the AMG Academy website and feedback in here. No issues. Buy an AMG, get basic for free.
https://www.amgacademy.com/gallery/p...october-3-2017
Regarding invite, I never formally received one. I just signed up based off info from the AMG Academy website and feedback in here. No issues. Buy an AMG, get basic for free.
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 410
Likes: 176
2020 GLC 63
I went to Lime Rock in Aug. It was great driving all different models, but the actual track time was too short and slow. They make you brake way too early, almost ruins the apex/exit.
Don't get me wrong, it was a blast and would do it again, but I wish if they let us (some of us) a little loose.
They picked me and another guy to drive a few "semi-hot" laps in the E63s, and I brought my own helmet with me.
I got yelled at the slalom for hold it too long.
Last edited by 18bora; Oct 5, 2017 at 06:01 PM.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 282
From: Omaha, NE
'16 AMG GTS, '21 AMG GLE53
Yeah that's me and my sweet hoodie-skirt...that was just after the taxi ride with AJ in the GTR.
Regarding the speed, I definitely agree that we weren't going fast enough in the GT cars, but I totally understand why. They have no idea on anyone's skill level so they're judging everyone from the first turn...grading our instinct, ability to learn and correct based off their instruction, etc. I will say that by the time we worked our way "down" to the C43's, my instructor was definitely letting my tread in to the outer limits of the car when I was the first follower.
I talked to one of our instructors quite a bit throughout the day...once all the instructors are back at the hotel, they basically fill out a report card on every driver that sticks to our name in the AMG Academy system as people take courses at other tracks around the world or move up in levels. Overheard they have a guy that's taken a mix of Basic and Advanced over 20 times and another that's done Drift 13 times!
Last edited by RichardCranium3; Oct 5, 2017 at 09:39 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 48
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh Valley
'17 AMG C43
Doesn't it come as courtesy from the vehicle purchase? I looked at the website and you can register but it cost money...
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 410
Likes: 176
2020 GLC 63
You can always give them a call too
US AMG Driving Academy/
Mercedes-Benz USA
303 Perimeter Center North
Atlanta, GA 30346
1-888-604-1766
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 282
From: Omaha, NE
'16 AMG GTS, '21 AMG GLE53
FWIW, during my day they mentioned they have AMG academy all over the world. If you're willing to travel somewhere exotic, it might be worth while to check the global schedule.
