Latest Drive in SLS GT3 - Paul Ricard
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Prague, Czech Republic
2009 C63, 2007 GL 450
Latest Drive in SLS GT3 - Paul Ricard
Guys,
Just wanted to drop in as some members PM'd me to do post on latest sessions in SLS GT3. Had a great couple of days at Paul Ricard with perfect weather and a great bunch of people. The event was set up by AMG Customer Sports for some of the Pro teams to get in some practice and shake-down their cars for the upcoming season. In all there were 13+ cars there with the ADA having 6-7 cars in total I think.
After 5+ months of not have been in the car let alone on a track, it took some time to shake off the rust and get the feeling of the car again. I did three 1 hour stints on the day and improved over the course of the day. Here are some general impressions:
1. The track is a great track to push things as it is very safe with huge run-off areas. Facilities like boxes and hospitality are 2nd to none and of course the weather was perfect. Sunny and mid-60s.
2. It was fun been on the track with the Pro as it really showed you what the car can do and what you hope to achieve at a later date with a lot more time and practice. That been said it did take some attention to focus in your mirrors as they caught me up pretty quick. I felt it important to pay special attention to this and to pull over where appropriate as these Pros are here for work and this is their job whereas I am just a “hack” having some fun. Respect on the track I believe is paramount to safe and fun driving as well as knowing your limits and your “place” when at an event like this.
3. For the techy guys out there:
Vid - here is vid from early session in the day. http://youtu.be/mWJtXsODdcA Gentle on the flames please. a huge amount of things to improve on and get better. Still the slow poke out there!
In general it was a great time and good to get back into the car and get back into the swing of things. It was made better by the great company of the super ADA and AMG SLS GT3 Customer Sports teams as well as, Bernd Schneider, Thomas Jager and some of the core group of ADA drivers here in Europe. Next event will be Lausitzring in May
C-Black arrives at end of next month so will be back with it for mods.
Dave
Just wanted to drop in as some members PM'd me to do post on latest sessions in SLS GT3. Had a great couple of days at Paul Ricard with perfect weather and a great bunch of people. The event was set up by AMG Customer Sports for some of the Pro teams to get in some practice and shake-down their cars for the upcoming season. In all there were 13+ cars there with the ADA having 6-7 cars in total I think.
After 5+ months of not have been in the car let alone on a track, it took some time to shake off the rust and get the feeling of the car again. I did three 1 hour stints on the day and improved over the course of the day. Here are some general impressions:
1. The track is a great track to push things as it is very safe with huge run-off areas. Facilities like boxes and hospitality are 2nd to none and of course the weather was perfect. Sunny and mid-60s.
2. It was fun been on the track with the Pro as it really showed you what the car can do and what you hope to achieve at a later date with a lot more time and practice. That been said it did take some attention to focus in your mirrors as they caught me up pretty quick. I felt it important to pay special attention to this and to pull over where appropriate as these Pros are here for work and this is their job whereas I am just a “hack” having some fun. Respect on the track I believe is paramount to safe and fun driving as well as knowing your limits and your “place” when at an event like this.
3. For the techy guys out there:
a)My TC and ABS were dialed down to 7/8 and 8 which is about 75-80% way to off. My instructor who I trust 100% would simply and progressively dial these down as we did our stints. To put this into perspective, when you 1st get into the car with the ADA they set everything pretty much at 1 which is full on. I will say that I prefer TC/ABS more off and it provides more natural feedback BUT they are there for a reason and until such time that I better balance the car and develop more I do appreciate their assistance at times during a lap.
b) Tires were Dunlops
c) Car produces 550hp based on FIA regs
4. Performance guysb) Tires were Dunlops
c) Car produces 550hp based on FIA regs
a)As I stated above I progressed through the day. Reference lap (set by Thomas Jager was 2:32 I believe (he later set a 2:27 in one of the team cars I think) but this was the time set for us ADA guys.
b)My times mid-later day averaged in the low 2:38s with a few dips into the 2:37s. One of my objectives for attending the event was not so much pure speed but to develop more consistency in lap times. One of the later sessions was able to put in 6 laps all in the 2:38.2-2:38.4 so was happy with this result. Also another objective was to keep the car in rev range and this was successful as well. Still slow on the hands, too early on brakes and un-balancing the car at times so lots more work needed.
c)Top speed – have no idea. Based on some video around 225-228kmph or so.
I drove two cars during the day. One was a traditional Silver ADA car and then for afternoon was in the Red GT3 done if the color scheme of the original Spa SEL driven by Heyer. I have driven this car before and it is simply pretty to look at. b)My times mid-later day averaged in the low 2:38s with a few dips into the 2:37s. One of my objectives for attending the event was not so much pure speed but to develop more consistency in lap times. One of the later sessions was able to put in 6 laps all in the 2:38.2-2:38.4 so was happy with this result. Also another objective was to keep the car in rev range and this was successful as well. Still slow on the hands, too early on brakes and un-balancing the car at times so lots more work needed.
c)Top speed – have no idea. Based on some video around 225-228kmph or so.
Vid - here is vid from early session in the day. http://youtu.be/mWJtXsODdcA Gentle on the flames please. a huge amount of things to improve on and get better. Still the slow poke out there!
In general it was a great time and good to get back into the car and get back into the swing of things. It was made better by the great company of the super ADA and AMG SLS GT3 Customer Sports teams as well as, Bernd Schneider, Thomas Jager and some of the core group of ADA drivers here in Europe. Next event will be Lausitzring in May
C-Black arrives at end of next month so will be back with it for mods.
Dave
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 2
From: NY
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Guys,
Just wanted to drop in as some members PM'd me to do post on latest sessions in SLS GT3. Had a great couple of days at Paul Ricard with perfect weather and a great bunch of people. The event was set up by AMG Customer Sports for some of the Pro teams to get in some practice and shake-down their cars for the upcoming season. In all there were 13+ cars there with the ADA having 6-7 cars in total I think.
After 5+ months of not have been in the car let alone on a track, it took some time to shake off the rust and get the feeling of the car again. I did three 1 hour stints on the day and improved over the course of the day. Here are some general impressions:
1. The track is a great track to push things as it is very safe with huge run-off areas. Facilities like boxes and hospitality are 2nd to none and of course the weather was perfect. Sunny and mid-60s.
2. It was fun been on the track with the Pro as it really showed you what the car can do and what you hope to achieve at a later date with a lot more time and practice. That been said it did take some attention to focus in your mirrors as they caught me up pretty quick. I felt it important to pay special attention to this and to pull over where appropriate as these Pros are here for work and this is their job whereas I am just a “hack” having some fun. Respect on the track I believe is paramount to safe and fun driving as well as knowing your limits and your “place” when at an event like this.
3. For the techy guys out there:
Vid - here is vid from early session in the day. http://youtu.be/mWJtXsODdcA Gentle on the flames please. a huge amount of things to improve on and get better. Still the slow poke out there!
In general it was a great time and good to get back into the car and get back into the swing of things. It was made better by the great company of the super ADA and AMG SLS GT3 Customer Sports teams as well as, Bernd Schneider, Thomas Jager and some of the core group of ADA drivers here in Europe. Next event will be Lausitzring in May
C-Black arrives at end of next month so will be back with it for mods.
Dave
Just wanted to drop in as some members PM'd me to do post on latest sessions in SLS GT3. Had a great couple of days at Paul Ricard with perfect weather and a great bunch of people. The event was set up by AMG Customer Sports for some of the Pro teams to get in some practice and shake-down their cars for the upcoming season. In all there were 13+ cars there with the ADA having 6-7 cars in total I think.
After 5+ months of not have been in the car let alone on a track, it took some time to shake off the rust and get the feeling of the car again. I did three 1 hour stints on the day and improved over the course of the day. Here are some general impressions:
1. The track is a great track to push things as it is very safe with huge run-off areas. Facilities like boxes and hospitality are 2nd to none and of course the weather was perfect. Sunny and mid-60s.
2. It was fun been on the track with the Pro as it really showed you what the car can do and what you hope to achieve at a later date with a lot more time and practice. That been said it did take some attention to focus in your mirrors as they caught me up pretty quick. I felt it important to pay special attention to this and to pull over where appropriate as these Pros are here for work and this is their job whereas I am just a “hack” having some fun. Respect on the track I believe is paramount to safe and fun driving as well as knowing your limits and your “place” when at an event like this.
3. For the techy guys out there:
a)My TC and ABS were dialed down to 7/8 and 8 which is about 75-80% way to off. My instructor who I trust 100% would simply and progressively dial these down as we did our stints. To put this into perspective, when you 1st get into the car with the ADA they set everything pretty much at 1 which is full on. I will say that I prefer TC/ABS more off and it provides more natural feedback BUT they are there for a reason and until such time that I better balance the car and develop more I do appreciate their assistance at times during a lap.
b) Tires were Dunlops
c) Car produces 550hp based on FIA regs
4. Performance guysb) Tires were Dunlops
c) Car produces 550hp based on FIA regs
a)As I stated above I progressed through the day. Reference lap (set by Thomas Jager was 2:32 I believe (he later set a 2:27 in one of the team cars I think) but this was the time set for us ADA guys.
b)My times mid-later day averaged in the low 2:38s with a few dips into the 2:37s. One of my objectives for attending the event was not so much pure speed but to develop more consistency in lap times. One of the later sessions was able to put in 6 laps all in the 2:38.2-2:38.4 so was happy with this result. Also another objective was to keep the car in rev range and this was successful as well. Still slow on the hands, too early on brakes and un-balancing the car at times so lots more work needed.
c)Top speed – have no idea. Based on some video around 225-228kmph or so.
I drove two cars during the day. One was a traditional Silver ADA car and then for afternoon was in the Red GT3 done if the color scheme of the original Spa SEL driven by Heyer. I have driven this car before and it is simply pretty to look at. b)My times mid-later day averaged in the low 2:38s with a few dips into the 2:37s. One of my objectives for attending the event was not so much pure speed but to develop more consistency in lap times. One of the later sessions was able to put in 6 laps all in the 2:38.2-2:38.4 so was happy with this result. Also another objective was to keep the car in rev range and this was successful as well. Still slow on the hands, too early on brakes and un-balancing the car at times so lots more work needed.
c)Top speed – have no idea. Based on some video around 225-228kmph or so.
Vid - here is vid from early session in the day. http://youtu.be/mWJtXsODdcA Gentle on the flames please. a huge amount of things to improve on and get better. Still the slow poke out there!
In general it was a great time and good to get back into the car and get back into the swing of things. It was made better by the great company of the super ADA and AMG SLS GT3 Customer Sports teams as well as, Bernd Schneider, Thomas Jager and some of the core group of ADA drivers here in Europe. Next event will be Lausitzring in May
C-Black arrives at end of next month so will be back with it for mods.
Dave
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From: NY
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oops... Do you blow a tire?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
SLS Irridium silver,2014 GL350 BT Irridium, 2015 White Dodge RAM Hemi Quad
Dave you are one of the very few "ordinary" people to be able to drive a SLS GT3 more than once! Nice!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,194
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From: Prague, Czech Republic
2009 C63, 2007 GL 450
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: NY
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Yeah I saw, I figured you might have blown the tire. At the end I thought I saw someone coming past with a jack.
Really cool stuff. You are lucky guy to be driving such an amazing car. I wish they did this near me.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 2
From: Prague, Czech Republic
2009 C63, 2007 GL 450
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,860
Likes: 39
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2010 C63 AMG, 2009 ISF , 2002 L-Tuned IS300, 2011 ML350
Sick video David! Always a pleasure to read ur SLS adventure. BTW, do u have any link to ur SLS pics? I don't recall seeing it yet.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,860
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2010 C63 AMG, 2009 ISF , 2002 L-Tuned IS300, 2011 ML350
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 2
From: Prague, Czech Republic
2009 C63, 2007 GL 450
I have actually been buying older AMGs as of late, more specifically a 190 Evo 2 and a wide body SEC from late 80s. Great cars!
Dave
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,177
Likes: 14
From: Central Florida
2014 Audi RS7
Dave,
GREAT reading the post and living vicariously through you!!
It must be awesome getting time behind the wheel!!
I have a technical question about the intake/grill. What is the design of the hole in the hood and the tunnel effect?? Also, it looks like there is a restriction in the two air tubes right about in the middle where the radiator is???
GREAT reading the post and living vicariously through you!!
It must be awesome getting time behind the wheel!!
I have a technical question about the intake/grill. What is the design of the hole in the hood and the tunnel effect?? Also, it looks like there is a restriction in the two air tubes right about in the middle where the radiator is???
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 2
From: Prague, Czech Republic
2009 C63, 2007 GL 450
Dave,
GREAT reading the post and living vicariously through you!!
It must be awesome getting time behind the wheel!!
I have a technical question about the intake/grill. What is the design of the hole in the hood and the tunnel effect?? Also, it looks like there is a restriction in the two air tubes right about in the middle where the radiator is???
GREAT reading the post and living vicariously through you!!
It must be awesome getting time behind the wheel!!
I have a technical question about the intake/grill. What is the design of the hole in the hood and the tunnel effect?? Also, it looks like there is a restriction in the two air tubes right about in the middle where the radiator is???
The air intakes are indeed restricted as per FIA rules which limits the car to 550hp as per GT3 specs which is less than standard SLS 587hp. Dave
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 785
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
2013 Nissan GT-R BE
Once again great post Dave! Maybe you should consider getting The Hammer just for kicks.
Sheep
p.s. Bob from Pitt MB recently got a SLS Roadster for a client and I was able see it in person. Great car.
Sheep
p.s. Bob from Pitt MB recently got a SLS Roadster for a client and I was able see it in person. Great car.
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From: N.Jersey and New York, stationed in Germany
W164 ML500,SMART For two,1994 C280(5speed manual) 1999 C230k station wagon
Did post while back last year. Let me pull some out and post. The car is stored at moment and will be pulled out from winter storage for service. I am actually selling the car as I don't use it and is somewhat impractical where I live as the roads are pretty poor. SLS is a great car, don't get me wrong but in my experience the only place where you can tap its performance is on the track. And with the "rumor" of a GL63 coming down the pipe for the wife and the Black arriving at end of the April/early may I need to make room and the $.
I have actually been buying older AMGs as of late, more specifically a 190 Evo 2 and a wide body SEC from late 80s. Great cars!
Dave
I have actually been buying older AMGs as of late, more specifically a 190 Evo 2 and a wide body SEC from late 80s. Great cars!
Dave
