After seeing that AMG was already at Laguna Seca with their SL65's I decided to go down there today. I arrived at 3:30PM.

First, given that AMG arrived a few days ago and will not be picking up and leaving until after 11-16, this is a HUGE marketing campaign. They are hosting the press this week and next. The cost of "owning" Laguna Seca for nearly 2 weeks is amazing. The tents they put up include 2 powered lifts that had to be installed. They have complete facilities to service and fix the cars if they break. Since they are running the cars for this much time, they have loads of tires and other supplies. A full time staff is there to clean the cars as they come off the track (Laguna Seca is a dirty dusty track).

The white CLK63's are driven by AMG staff to regulate the laps around the track. The format I saw was 1 CLK leading 2 SL65BS. These CLK63s generate 580HP when not detuned to meet the 92dB sound limitation Laguna Seca has in place most of the time. The frustrated driver was saying that they had to detune to around 450HP to keep the noise down, and add mufflers. The CLK63s are pure race cars. Lots of carbon fibre. The door felt like it weighed <5lbs. These cars were developed for promotional purposes only and spend most of their time giving laps around the Nurbering for paying customers.

Both the CLK63s and the SL65BS were running the track well. Lots of screaming tires and the exhaust note was just incredible. And, they were FAST. Whoever buys an SL65 Black Series is going to have an incredible piece of engineering, elegance, style, comfort, and a no holds bared race car. Listening to the shifts from the SL65, they really have the 5spd shifting quick. And, did I mention the sound? Music. 63 V8 + 65 V12TT - a symphony.

Oh yes, the CLK63s had race brakes on and they squeeled like crazy during slow stops in the paddock. Now I don't feel so bad about the low level squeel from my E63's brakes.

Speak German? Laguna Seca is a great place to come and practive because there are at least 2 dozen people from AMG on hand. Oh I wish I could have got a little tune from the experts!!!

I never went over to the pre-grid area where they were hosting the press because I figured that would be a quick way to wear out my welcome. It was great talking to the drivers and technical people who were making sure the cars were running strong.

Although I saw some tire tracks off track in a couple places, and a little slide out of turn 3 from one of the SL65s, there were no incidents.

So, here are some pictures and I will post all the short video clip links once they upload into youtube. And yes, that is my E63 the AMG driver is leaning on and that is me in the purple shirt, in the CLK63.

To those from AMG I met at the track. Thank you. Danke schön!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw4Xva04Aww
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qJmpeAneb8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjhs8mz6EKo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWmtY6eTqFo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG-XjYQhZjM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N1ehXKvpPE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_mrUORo1a0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3bakUdNbWE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81ZyZH4WvM0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNAXPVxHFbU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZwQXa_8u7A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk98QJ3k-Bw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94wYmqIVT0Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KD4pRS-6Ck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPLhas9LAsI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xNEPo0bpmQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DCeMb3ZhM8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijTNgSx6bQI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT9VzEX6lZE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-0hgMZQzIE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdvDi5904TA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh8zd4SgXeA

thanks for sharing!!!

Those cars are pure sex.

Thanks for the pics.

Dayum! Looks even better on the move, thanks for the superb update/report

unbelievable!! thanks for sharing!!

Fantastic!! Jon I am so glad you got in, and had the time to post up the great pics and vids. From my correspondence with AMG this event will be like no other. I am impressed with the "real race cars" I guess that is what AMG referred to as the surprise.
That SL65BS is giving me an itch.

The beautiful german engineered cars...............Incredible looks......

purely awesome...thanks for sharing... the sl65BS is badass...

luv BS bumper...
that CLK is

u should ask them to send 1 car to Saprissa meet...

Thanks for the update Jon!

They're using Dunlop tires on the SL Black?
I wonder what happened to the Corsa's?

Jon - Thanks very much for taking the time to post this stuff - must have been an awesome atmosphere !!!
A few questions for you - Is the CLK running the stock 7A transmission ? You referred to the doors being very light - do you know if the door's outer bodywork is carbon fiber (I assume it is) ? Did you get a ride in one ?? I see you sat in the drivers seat, can you please comment on the cockpit, dash layout etc.....? Thanks in advance !!!

Anyone notice how CLOSE the SL BS is to the bumper of the CLK in this photo ??

I plan to go back down there this weekend, and I will see if I can answer your questions. I am going to take a proper video camera.

I can tell you that the dash is a typical custom fabrication for a race car. There is nothing left that would be in a production car. I did not get a ride in one, but it is fitted with a passenger seat. If I wanted to do that, I think there are still openings for the 15th/16th, but it costs $2750. No Way. Have you seen my video of the CLK F1 Pace car ride? This was at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N59zfxZe8cs
Yes, I know I am laughing like Beavis and Butthead.

Errr just a lil' like Butthead awesome vid thanks for sharing..

Another great video - Thanks Jon. Was that LVMS ride in the CLK BS safety car or the DTM car ? Motor sounded pretty sick....lots of revs. Again, thanks for all the info man - much appreciated. Whatever further info you can get about these white CLK's at Laguna would be great !!! Take care and have a great weeknd - I know you will !!

wow, great post!

thanks for sharing!

Yep!!! I loved that pic the most. In addition, to my eyes, the SL65 looks even meaner than the CLK

nice photos !

Totally awesome, thanks for taking the time and sharing!!!

The other thread has these links plus 2 more - did not realize they were both on the W211 AMG forum when I made the additions

The links are back - Nov 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFPGMNsnuEs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNl23KTliE4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbh-_DO24hQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAGCpQtT9bw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJvyg9JDjs4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzyv1mgnAl4

And from Nov 9 - SL65 BS gets loose at the end
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggt5jQ6NDsU

And from Nov 16
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb9GTSdkkk8

i am loving it. Anyway, the sl65 bs was shown on speedtv Monday nite. It was on SuperCars Exposed episode where Tanner was invited to tour the AMG factory...

never get tired of watching them...