Thought I would share my thoughts for the group on my experience at the ADA Basic program at COTA on 4/21. Being my first ADA event, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was not disappointed.

Facility - The COTA facility is absolutely gorgeous. Built 4 years ago, I believe, the facility was clean and well organized. The catering (breakfast, lunch and hot pretzels during the closing ceremonies) was just right and there were snacks/drinks set up at the Drive Modules if you needed refreshment. Quite a sight when you pull in and see all the AMG's laid out for full presentation. There was also a mini showroom set-up with a GLE 63, SL 65, GLA 45, C 63 Edition 1 Coupe, and a GTs.

Staff - The entire staff from check-in to send off was extremely positive and attentive. The instructor staff was outstanding. Great content, good humor and comradereie. Both the US and Global Directors of Instruction were in attendance. Great communication throughout the modules and individual attention. I also had a chance to speak with the Technical Director - the man responsible for the vehicles. As my car is a former ADA vehicle, it was good to speak with him about the day in the life and maintenance of the fleet.

Driving Modules - We were hampered by thunderstorms early on and it was unsafe for course workers to be out in field so we did most all of our classroom work at the beginning, followed by some parade laps until the storms subsided. The weather may have cut in to our driving a bit, but not much and the weather ended up cooperating and being sunny and 80 degrees the rest of the day. I was paired with my brother, who made the trip down from Dallas, so it was fun in that regard too.
Drag Race and Agility Slalom - 3 runs each in a CLS 63 and E 63s. Hammer the drag start and focus on the upcoming stop box. Stomp the brakes in to the stop box without being short or long. The winner of the head-to-head match up gets to go first through the slalom. Have to say the CLS 63 is one impressive machine. Hands down the better performer, in my opinion. Very impressed with the CLS 63. Would definitely be a great daily driver.
Skid Pad - Several runs around the skid pad in a C63s. Pavement is wetted down and we were to try and get the rear end drifting a bit. Not so easy. Certainly not as easy as the instructors make it look. A balance of adrenaline and common sense is required. Everyone ends up spinning out at some point.
ABS Brakes on Lane Change - This was more of an emergency maneuvre kind of module. We drove the SL 63 (very comfortable) and had to approach an emergency braking area. The first pulls, we just did straight ahead trail braking. After that, when we approached, a directional light would go off and we had manueuvre to the R/L, and correct ourselves. I think this may be one module that got pared back a bit on us due to the weather. It was rather brief, but that's ok since it meant that our track time didn't get truncated.
Autocross - Aside from the track time, the most fun event. Drove the CLA 45 through an autocross course set up with cones. At start, we revved to about 3000rpm, let loose full throttle to a bend, then a tight turn, some esses, another tight turn, two hard turns then a stop box. I am amazed at the speed the CLA carried through this set-up. We had 3 runs each with partner, then 3 runs alone - best of the 3 gets counted. There is a team and individual award. The winning time was 31.08, if I remember right. My times were 32.3 - 32.5, if you were wondering. I will also say the exhaust note on the CLA at full performance was excellent.
Lead Follow/Track Time/Hot Laps - Wow, the feeling you get running the track at speed in incredibly engineered vehicles is astounding. We spent several laps following the instructors and their driving lines. Cones were also set up on the course for apex identification and braking zones, which definitely helped. Here the GTs really shined as you surely feel the balance of the car through the turns. The car just felt lighter compared to some of the others because of the handling. Top speeds in the straightaway got to about 120, but the real fun was taking turns at speed, hitting the brakes hard and setting up for the next turns. Your thinking about braking will change after this course - that was one of the first thing we got instructed on.

Hot Laps - If you think you were going fast, think again, the instructors can really push it. The car responds completely different under their direction, as you would expect. Hold on tight! My brother was lucky enough to pull a ride in the SLS BS and he told me they reached 165 in the straights. Again, the turns are where the action is though.


Final Thoughts - An excellent way to spend a day with fellow enthusiasts as we met some nice folks along the way and benefited from some top notch instruction from top notch talent. The C63 is probably the best all arounder of the models we drove. It is a full day, they keep you moving - at a comfortable pace though, and surprising how physical it can be with the speed, G forces, etc. Way more fun than a roller coaster, especially since you are at the helm !!

 

such a wonderful track in such a garbage location. looks like you missed the hail tho

 

Took me all day, but I finally got it...........the landfills

 

I really need to get down there for Ada basic, wanted to go this past weekend for the private lounge event but life wasn't cooperative

 

Awesome, glad you had a good time. Would love to drive that track.

 

You might find this fun reading then....

Attachment 329751

 

Thanks!

 

I was there for the PL on Saturday and we got to do two runs in the CLA45 using the same autocross course. They told us the best time was ?28 something and the time to beat was ?26 something. Really?!?! I really doubt that time, though.

 

Holy Crap..........i don't see how either of those would be possible. The instructor did say a pro score would be sub 30 sec though. That was some fun wasn't it? I didn't think it would be possible to carry such speed in a tight area like that

 

My wife and I attended the ADA last Dec @ Cota... I was surprised to find out I won the auto-x event that day with those particular drivers ...... still waiting for my AMG helmet..... it's been 5 mo's now. I plan to take the next level ADA class @ cota.... was hoping to spend that $$ AFTER oil climbs above $50 though.

 

As we both own former ADA cars, you would have enjoyed the conversation I had with John Sands, the Technical Director. We spoke at length about proper break-in, maintenance and prep for resale. We should have no misgivings about what we purchased. We also got the 440 cooling package and passive differential cooler for "free". Unfortunately the maintenance records while in duty are held internally and not permitted to be shared - I asked!

 

That's bull****. It's your car. You bought it. You own it. You have a right to those records if they exist. I'm pretty sure that's probably not legal for them to withhold them, unless they're giving you an unlimited forever warranty. I'd escalate until you reach someone that can release those records.

 

Yeah, it was quite some fun. Tires and brakes courtesy of MB. Quite a bit of hard use on those vehicles there.

Indeed, they should release those service record to the owners unless the vehicles have a lifetime warranty.

 

I chatted up one of the ADA instructors whil'st @ COTA ADA in Dec 15, and he also said the cars have a rigorous exit prep, etc.. etc..

Mine has got 8K on it now..... only issue is a clicking in the rear diff at slow speed in parking garage in tite turns....... suspect it's the LSD...... but I did hear of parking brake adj causing this?..... it's under warranty..... so we'll have it checked out at next svc.

Not sure why it takes 5 mo's to make a helmet for my head with my name on it?.... it will be a nice surprise when it arrives I guess. Prob wear it around the office around all the bimmer boys at work I'm getting the itch for another event @ Cota soon!

 

thx pbacklog... I guess we are ada brothers of sorts. Yours looks matte silver with black wheels?

 

Roger that - Magno Platinum, black wheels and interior, CF trim, etc. Best I could tell, it was the prior #18 car. Just turned 4100 miles last week and lovin' it

 

Check your AMG track pkg computer, and see if you have any logged/recorded COTA laps on the timer. Mine has a lap recorded... I left if on there for posterity.

If you look on the ADA website you on past cota events you can find some pics/vids of #18.

Enjoy your 507 in good health sir.

 

Good idea

I'll check this weekend and see if anything is saved. And yes, I've been through all the photos on the website, that's how i first deciphered what i had

 

I'll see if I can find a picture of the Pro board from Dec... assuming same course... we were 28ish if I recall.

 

 

I seem to recall I was 28.xx and I won the 1 day basic ADA event in Dec.
It was rainy and wet... so I was pretty happy with my times that day.

That pro-index! Holy cow.

 

I remember there was a young chap running with us that day.... and he had really bad car sickness. He chucked it inside the amg car during the autox. felt really bad for him, and the car or (whom ever buys that car post ADA )

 

Nice... I have no issue taking a Dramamine just in case... I invested too much and enjoy it too much to take the risk... I've seen many green or sitting out autoX

 

I was there with my brother, sat through his first training run then watched from the side for the other two. Definitely a hairy ride as a rider...took that Dramamine at lunchtime and it helped with the headache...thankfully i didn't get nauseous. One guy disappeared after the very first run of the day in the drags. It is a physical sport, in that regard

 

I'm all good IF I'm driving....... it's a mixed bag for me on being a psgr........
I have to say it's one thing to drive a GTS @ speed in the rain @ COTA.... 130 back straight...... but IT's a WHOLE other level of stress to ride with a complete stranger as they run the GTS through it's paces and you are psgr....... anyone have a little trepidation riding with other entrants.... whom you just met?

Now riding with the coaches in the SLS or C63Black was a whole other level of fear/fun... they really use the th/brakes/g's..... amazing.