Dr Chill

Now there are 3 different levels of fun. The original is $1000 this year compared to $800 last year. The second is for more advanced drivers and cost $1500. The third is a five day event in Germany and includes a tour of the AMG factory, hot laps in a CLK GTR and an actual DTM race car.


Here's the info:

2004 AMG Challenge

Your day at the AMG Challenge will give you an adrenaline rush…unlike any other. You'll learn high-performance driving skills from racing greats including Le Mans and World Challenge champions. You'll experience the twists and turns of a first-class race track driving a range of Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicles including the CLK55, CL55, SLK32 and S55. And you'll power through esses with the SL55 AMG and thunder down the high-speed stretches with the E55 AMG.

It will be a full-day packed with excitement including:
On-track driving clinics
Hot laps with top-name professional drivers
Timed competition on an autocross track
Performance driving workshops on threshold braking, skidpad vehicle dynamics, racing line theory and much more
Open lapping on the main track
At the end of the event, there is a celebratory champagne toast including a certificate, trophy and awards presentation.
It all adds up to an unforgettable experience that you won't want to miss. Event admission fee is $1,000. If you haven't registered yet, sign up now. These limited spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis only.

To register, simply select a location from the list below. Then fill in or verify your name and address and provide payment information. You’ll receive your confirmation shortly. It’s that easy.

Location Date
Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV April 7
California Speedway – Fontana, CA April 15
Pocono Raceway – Long Pond, PA May 6
Homestead Miami Speedway – Homestead, FL June 18
Texas Motor Speedway – Justin, TX June 24
Indianapolis Speedway – Indianapolis, IN
Featuring the F1 road course, excluding the oval track July 23




2004 AMG Graduate


If you’re ready to push the envelope, you can take it to the edge at the AMG Challenge Graduate Program. Designed for anyone who's already participated in the AMG Challenge or attended a professional driving school, the Graduate Program event raises the bar with a day of intense racing thrills. You’ll get behind the wheel for even more personalized racing time with top pro drivers, and take home insider knowledge of some very demanding racing techniques. Reversals, J-turns, hand-brake turns…just some of the maneuvers that will test your ability and teach you the meaning of serious racing.

If you’re ready to challenge yourself like never before, here’s what you’re in for:
Classroom sessions focused on racing theory
Learn to handle oversteer and understeer in specially equipped "slide cars"
Passing and drafting exercises
Race-start exercises
Competitively timed segments
Hot laps with top-name professional drivers
Open lapping on the main track
From start to finish, the AMG Graduate Program serves up high-octane thrills that you'll never forget. Event admission fee is $1,500. If you haven't registered yet, sign up now. These limited spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis only.

To register, simply select a location from the list below. Then fill in or verify your name and address and provide payment information. You’ll receive your confirmation shortly. It’s that easy.

Location Date
Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV April 8
California Speedway – Fontana, CA April 16
Pocono Raceway – Long Pond, PA May 7
Homestead Miami Speedway – Homestead, FL June 19
Texas Motor Speedway – Justin, TX June 25
Indianapolis Speedway – Indianapolis, IN
Featuring the F1 road course, excluding the oval track July 24





2004 AMG Ultimate

October 2 - 5, 2004

For the ultimate driving thrills that transcend your wildest dreams, sign up now for The Ultimate AMG Challenge. This four day event takes you to Stuttgart, AMG's new facility in Affalterbach and the Hockenheim Ring, home of the legendary Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) German Touring Car Championship.

While you're in Germany, you'll enjoy the finest hospitality, luxurious accommodations, and have an incredible AMG driving experience.

In addition to on-track racing instruction at Hockenheim Ring, this package also includes:
VIP passes to the final DTM Championship race including a guided tour of pit lane
Exclusive visit to the AMG factory where every engine is hand-built
On-track day at Hockenheim Ring
Hot laps in both a 700HP CLK GTR and an actual DTM race car
A unique commemorative gift from Mercedes-Benz
It all adds up to an unforgettable exclusive experience that you won’t want to miss. Event admission fee is $7,500 and includes, in addition to the items listed above, the following:
Five days and four nights hotel accommodations
All meals
Transportation between all events
Further details and registration are available by asking for the Ultimate AMG Challenge concierge at 1.866.207.6653.

Chappy

Dr. Chill,

Thanks for the heads-up. Which one will you choose?

jcjmw

How do I sign up? PLEASE HELP!!! I went to my dealer (Fletcher Jones Mercedes of Las Vegas - the only Mercedes dealer in town) and spoke to the Manager and he sd that he has never heard of the AMG Challenge. I called the MBNA office and they sd I had to sign up at the dealer.

I very much want to sign up, but do not know who I must contact. Please help!!!!

Dr Chill

Call the phone number at the bottom of the fist post in this thread. I'm not doing it this year most likely since racing my own E55 is cheaper and more fun!

Vic

Registration is simple. I called the number just like Dr. Chill indicated, and had the option of registering by phone, or visiting the website to get more info and/or register.

The website address is www.mbusa.com/amgchallenge and the reservation code is amg999.

I'm going to the "Level 1" event on May 6 at Pocono Raceway. Hope to see you there, and many thanks to Dr. Chill for posting the info!

AMG Challenge Info Link

Dr Chill

De nada!

tjcMBE55AMG

Glad YOU are going Vic, by the time I got a Reservation Code from my MB dealer the Pocono event was FULL and the best I could do was #5 on the waiting list.

So I get the idea is you should enjoy the IDEA of this because by the time you can actually get signed up its too late?


TJC

tjcMBE55AMG

I think I get it now - the 'Challenge' part of the AMG Challenge isn't the driving - it's getting a reservation. I've been trying for two years now.

TJC

billybenz

hey thanks for the info going to indy on the 23rd hope to see you there

Vic

I think it's a good idea to at least get onto the waiting list. Registrants can cancel up to 14 days before the event and still get a full refund, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a few people drop out or simply wuss out before then.

Good luck!!

tjcMBE55AMG

Thanks, Vic. They just told me this morning that by the time of your post 1/30/04 that the entire Pocono event was filled up already.

TJC

E55 KEV

That AMG event is nice and very expensive. I will take the cheaper Performance Driving School and go to the www.mazdarevitup.com this year for $40.

Vic

KEV-

Thanks for the heads up! That Mazda event sounds like fun, and you certainly can't beat the price. I just registered for the event at FedEx Field.

It looks like I'll be having lots of motoring fun that week (AMG event is four days later). Now I just have to figure out how to break the news to my wife!

Dr Chill

Thanks Kev. Now can you come up with a promo code for us?

tjcMBE55AMG

Vic - I just called your wife - she says you can't go

PS - I'm from Fairfax - went to Oakton HS for the last 3 mos. of my senior year (my HS was hit by a tornado on April Fool's Day 1973).


TJC

E55 KEV

Sure Chill, just use this promotion code for free admission:

E55KEV

That should do it.

theboogers

pocono was full so i signed up for las vegas. can someone tell me how far the raceway is from downtown vegas? also has anyone done this a vegas before? do they have a roadrace track or just the oval for driving? thanks

Chappy

Oakton H.S. (my former rivals!)

FCHS 'Jaguar' here

tjcMBE55AMG

Not to mention mine - W.T. Woodson HS

TJC

norb

I went to the Mazda event last year and can't really recommend it if you want a lot of drive time. You only get 2 chances at the course. Much of the time you're just waiting.

E55 KEV

Would you like 50 laps on the timed course? The AMG Challege is $1k - you can buy 25 sessions at the Mazda event for $1k and get 50 laps.

You could book a session for every hour on Saturday and get 18 laps and only spend $360 versus the $1k at AMG.

theboogers

iwould rather tear up DB's amg mercedes than my own on a track. you crash it and can walk away if it happens.

Stephen04E55

I just received a confirmation e-mail for the AMG challenge in Pocono, PA for 5/6/2004. This amazes me since I was tenth on a waiting list. Maybe MB allowed more participants because of a greater interest? Needless to say that I am excited about this sudden change and I can't wait. Has this happened to anyone else?

BenzoBoi

Is there an age limit to this event? I don't tink I will be able to make it this year but maybe next?

04E55 AMG

Stephen04E55,

I was number six on the same waiting list and also was cleared. I also registered a guest, so it was 2 people.