SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Went to the AMG Challenge in Fontana
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From: Southern California
SL55 2006 previously Triple Black CLK55 Cabriolet 2002
Went to the AMG Challenge in Fontana
It was great to have a professional driver sit next to me as I drove laps in an sl55 at 130 mph around the Speedway in Fontana. Since I have an sl55 I wanted to experience what it would be like in the type of car I own. Guess what, at 130 mph I was one of the slow ones!
I actually asked for a driver to go with me so that I could understand what is happening to the car at that rate of speed especially in the turns. There were several others hammering the throttle at the limiter. It was great fun to see how the car handles itself on the oval. I pinch myself every time I drive my car. I am so blessed to have her. It has given me much more confidence driving my car and I now understand what a great handling car the sl55 is.
I thought I had died and went to heaven when they let us drive the True MacDaddy, The SLR.(Driver with you not optional but mandatory) . Oh my Gosh! They let you hammer that baby just so that you can see how those brakes stop on a dime. I kept thinking that I was dreaming.
If you get a chance to go to one of these events, you should. It is great fun.
Love AMG!!!
Clk554me
"Carpe Diem"
I actually asked for a driver to go with me so that I could understand what is happening to the car at that rate of speed especially in the turns. There were several others hammering the throttle at the limiter. It was great fun to see how the car handles itself on the oval. I pinch myself every time I drive my car. I am so blessed to have her. It has given me much more confidence driving my car and I now understand what a great handling car the sl55 is.
I thought I had died and went to heaven when they let us drive the True MacDaddy, The SLR.(Driver with you not optional but mandatory) . Oh my Gosh! They let you hammer that baby just so that you can see how those brakes stop on a dime. I kept thinking that I was dreaming.
If you get a chance to go to one of these events, you should. It is great fun.Love AMG!!!
Clk554me
"Carpe Diem"
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...
I thought I had died and went to heaven when they let us drive the True MacDaddy, The SLR.(Driver with you not optional but mandatory) . Oh my Gosh! They let you hammer that baby just so that you can see how those brakes stop on a dime. I kept thinking that I was dreaming. If you get a chance to go to one of these events, you should. ...
I thought I had died and went to heaven when they let us drive the True MacDaddy, The SLR.(Driver with you not optional but mandatory) . Oh my Gosh! They let you hammer that baby just so that you can see how those brakes stop on a dime. I kept thinking that I was dreaming.
If you get a chance to go to one of these events, you should. ...That's a pretty strong selling point.
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SL55 2006 previously Triple Black CLK55 Cabriolet 2002
Well they had one on hand just to look at, and two that were to be driven for the full throttle challenge. 
The Black Series CLK was not driven, only for photo opps along with a brand new S65.Clk554me
"Carpe Diem"
Last edited by clk554me; May 15, 2007 at 09:35 AM.
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From: Honolulu, HI
06' E500 Estate, '08 S65, '05 S430
clk554me,
I was there too! I had the same experience. My first rotation was the oval, and I also drive an SL55. I hit around 130 on my own. Then with the pro driver in the seat, he says we hit 143. I consider myself a fast driver and usually was in the top 10% in terms of lap times, but I could not get myself to keep the hammer down through the turns. Somehow, travelling at that speed in a turn took a little too much guts for me. One person in my group said he had it at the limiter as well.
I was fortunate enough to drive the SL55 one lap. The interesting thing is that due to drafting and superior aerodynamics, I actually had to brake into the turns as the SL did not scrub as much speed as the CLS I was following.
Anyway, it was awesome. The road course was the most fun in my opinion. It was the last rotation of the day for me and I was feeling my oats by that time. The speeds at which we were driving were simply insane. The cars just handle the twists and hard turns with such aplomb. It was a remarkable realization for me that we drive our cars so far below their actual limits in normal everyday driving.
There was also a S63 present at the event, although behind the mechanics building. I got to drive it briefly. Very nice! Nice exhaust note in the car.
BTW, the staff including the head of AMG for NA were all extremely friendly and clearly enthusiasts. I think it is just fantastic that a car company takes the time, money, and effort to connect with it's owners (present and future) in this way. It was a first class event that I will not soon forget. I was having some thoughts of going Bentley or Aston for my next car, but after this experience, I am going to stick with MB...probably an S63!
J
I was there too! I had the same experience. My first rotation was the oval, and I also drive an SL55. I hit around 130 on my own. Then with the pro driver in the seat, he says we hit 143. I consider myself a fast driver and usually was in the top 10% in terms of lap times, but I could not get myself to keep the hammer down through the turns. Somehow, travelling at that speed in a turn took a little too much guts for me. One person in my group said he had it at the limiter as well.
I was fortunate enough to drive the SL55 one lap. The interesting thing is that due to drafting and superior aerodynamics, I actually had to brake into the turns as the SL did not scrub as much speed as the CLS I was following.
Anyway, it was awesome. The road course was the most fun in my opinion. It was the last rotation of the day for me and I was feeling my oats by that time. The speeds at which we were driving were simply insane. The cars just handle the twists and hard turns with such aplomb. It was a remarkable realization for me that we drive our cars so far below their actual limits in normal everyday driving.
There was also a S63 present at the event, although behind the mechanics building. I got to drive it briefly. Very nice! Nice exhaust note in the car.
BTW, the staff including the head of AMG for NA were all extremely friendly and clearly enthusiasts. I think it is just fantastic that a car company takes the time, money, and effort to connect with it's owners (present and future) in this way. It was a first class event that I will not soon forget. I was having some thoughts of going Bentley or Aston for my next car, but after this experience, I am going to stick with MB...probably an S63!
J
Last edited by jeffreyy; May 16, 2007 at 02:45 AM.
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SL55 2006 previously Triple Black CLK55 Cabriolet 2002
Quote: Jeffrey
clk554me,
I was there too! I had the same experience. My first rotation was the oval, and I also drive an SL55. I hit around 130 on my own. Then with the pro driver in the seat, he says we hit 143. I consider myself a fast driver and usually was in the top 10% in terms of lap times, but I could not get myself to keep the hammer down through the turns. Somehow, travelling at that speed in a turn took a little too much guts for me. One person in my group said he had it at the limiter as well.
Hey Jeffrey, if you were in the first oval rotation(yellow team), then I was on your team also. Its funny because when I was going 130 I was not looking at the speedometer. I was definately looking at the road. 
It was an adrenaline rush for sure.
Anyway, it was awesome. The road course was the most fun in my opinion. It was the last rotation of the day for me and I was feeling my oats by that time. The speeds at which we were driving were simply insane. The cars just handle the twists and hard turns with such aplomb. It was a remarkable realization for me that we drive our cars so far below their actual limits in normal everyday driving.
The road course was lots of fun. This is also where I gained a whole new level of confidence in our cars. These AMG cars corner at high speeds so well.
clk554me,
I was there too! I had the same experience. My first rotation was the oval, and I also drive an SL55. I hit around 130 on my own. Then with the pro driver in the seat, he says we hit 143. I consider myself a fast driver and usually was in the top 10% in terms of lap times, but I could not get myself to keep the hammer down through the turns. Somehow, travelling at that speed in a turn took a little too much guts for me. One person in my group said he had it at the limiter as well.
Hey Jeffrey, if you were in the first oval rotation(yellow team), then I was on your team also. Its funny because when I was going 130 I was not looking at the speedometer.
I was definately looking at the road. It was an adrenaline rush for sure.Anyway, it was awesome. The road course was the most fun in my opinion. It was the last rotation of the day for me and I was feeling my oats by that time. The speeds at which we were driving were simply insane. The cars just handle the twists and hard turns with such aplomb. It was a remarkable realization for me that we drive our cars so far below their actual limits in normal everyday driving.
The road course was lots of fun. This is also where I gained a whole new level of confidence in our cars. These AMG cars corner at high speeds so well.
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From: Southern California
SL55 2006 previously Triple Black CLK55 Cabriolet 2002
[QUOTE=clk554me;2209199]Quote: Jeffrey
clk554me,
BTW, the staff including the head of AMG for NA were all extremely friendly and clearly enthusiasts. I think it is just fantastic that a car company takes the time, money, and effort to connect with it's owners (present and future) in this way. It was a first class event that I will not soon forget. I was having some thoughts of going Bentley or Aston for my next car, but after this experience, I am going to stick with MB...probably an S63!
I agree with you. The AMG people were great and are just car fanatics like the rest of us. I kept thinking, do they actually consider that this is a real job for them??? They would do this job for free as would I. I am with you on feeling the love for AMG. My first AMG(clk55cabrio), turned me on and the sl55 has made me fan for life. 
BTW, the staff including the head of AMG for NA were all extremely friendly and clearly enthusiasts. I think it is just fantastic that a car company takes the time, money, and effort to connect with it's owners (present and future) in this way. It was a first class event that I will not soon forget. I was having some thoughts of going Bentley or Aston for my next car, but after this experience, I am going to stick with MB...probably an S63!
I agree with you. The AMG people were great and are just car fanatics like the rest of us. I kept thinking, do they actually consider that this is a real job for them???
They would do this job for free as would I. I am with you on feeling the love for AMG. My first AMG(clk55cabrio), turned me on and the sl55 has made me fan for life.
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From: Southern California
SL55 2006 previously Triple Black CLK55 Cabriolet 2002
Exhaust sound of sl55
When they first drove us around the oval to let us see it, coming out of the pit, a driver sped by in the red sl55! The roar from the engine exhaust while hitting the throttle was in one word "AWESOME". I turned to the driver and said "Wow, is that what I sound like when I pass someone"?
That must be why people stare at you so much when you pass!
Clk554me
"Carpe Diem"
That must be why people stare at you so much when you pass!
Clk554me
"Carpe Diem"
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From: Honolulu, HI
06' E500 Estate, '08 S65, '05 S430
When they first drove us around the oval to let us see it, coming out of the pit, a driver sped by in the red sl55! The roar from the engine exhaust while hitting the throttle was in one word "AWESOME". I turned to the driver and said "Wow, is that what I sound like when I pass someone"?
That must be why people stare at you so much when you pass!
Clk554me
"Carpe Diem"
That must be why people stare at you so much when you pass!
Clk554me
"Carpe Diem"
I agree with you on the oval too which is why I stated the pro stated we were going 143, my eyes were glued to the road!
J
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From: orange county ca
2019 S63,2015 SL63, 2007 SL55, 2006 SL55, 2003 SL55
Fontana
I wish I would have know about the event. How do you get on the mail list? I have driven the track several times in my race car but it would have been fun in an AMG.
Here's a link to a few laps there.
ftp://928m:928m@70.226.52.38/928MVideos/MAFontana.mpg
Here's a link to a few laps there.
ftp://928m:928m@70.226.52.38/928MVideos/MAFontana.mpg
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
It's great to hear your stories. You are now begining to understand just how good these cars are......and not just for driving in a straight line.
These are true driver's cars in every sense of the word.
I think every high performance/exotic car manufacturer should include some sort of school with their cars. The customer would gain an appreciation for the engineering, and be able to enjoy its potential better.......as well as improving skills will make safer drivers.
These are true driver's cars in every sense of the word.
I think every high performance/exotic car manufacturer should include some sort of school with their cars. The customer would gain an appreciation for the engineering, and be able to enjoy its potential better.......as well as improving skills will make safer drivers.
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From: New York, NY
SL55, ML500, BMW 530xi
I wish I would have know about the event. How do you get on the mail list? I have driven the track several times in my race car but it would have been fun in an AMG.
Here's a link to a few laps there.
ftp://928m:928m@70.226.52.38/928MVideos/MAFontana.mpg
Here's a link to a few laps there.
ftp://928m:928m@70.226.52.38/928MVideos/MAFontana.mpg
It looks pretty gutted and such so how much work was done to get it on that track? You are downshifting too so is that a real manual or just the semi-manual?
Maybe our "daily drivers" aren't capable of the same thing you were driving. It would be a ***** to be wrapped around a pole in order to find out.
Last edited by jeanmarc; May 16, 2007 at 11:11 PM.
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From: orange county ca
2019 S63,2015 SL63, 2007 SL55, 2006 SL55, 2003 SL55
Mark, nice video... what were the specs on the car you were driving?
It looks pretty gutted and such so how much work was done to get it on that track? You are downshifting too so is that a real manual or just the semi-manual?
Maybe our "daily drivers" aren't capable of the same thing you were driving. It would be a ***** to be wrapped around a pole in order to find out.
It looks pretty gutted and such so how much work was done to get it on that track? You are downshifting too so is that a real manual or just the semi-manual?
Maybe our "daily drivers" aren't capable of the same thing you were driving. It would be a ***** to be wrapped around a pole in order to find out.
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