Eddie Knopp

What can I say - UNBELIEVABLE !!!

To those I met, I'm sure you echo my feelings. I will say one thing, remember that hard right turn towards the end of the open lap course - the entrance to the highway by my house is very similar - it was perfect this morning - except for the cup of coffee next to me, or should I say on me (now) !

If any of you guys took photos please post them if you can.

I recommend this to everyone !!

tjcMBE55AMG

Eddie - It was great to meet you, Vic and Stephen and to experience MB's "Eight Names for Thunder." That is: E55AMG, CL55AMG, CLK55AMG, SLK32AMG, S55AMG, C32AMG, G55AMG and last (but FIRST) the incomparable SL55AMG. Surprisingly, I felt that the E55 'blended into' the crowd here and the other AMGs very much held their own.

We all had various 'high points' for the day - I think for Vic and I the autocross was one event that we wished we could have done a few more times ... although I'd have to say the open laps and hot laps in the SL were probably my favorite. To drive this car to its limits (well OK I thought I was at its limits until the pro driver hot lap!) was truly incredible. Driving the slalom in the SLK32 was pretty cool too. This is DEFINITELY not a 'chick car.'

I think we all agreed that hearing the SC spooling up on an SL and the exhaust note under full throttle were the outstanding *sounds* of the day.

I was particularly enamored by the CLK55AMG. But NOT from riding in the back seat!

Most amazing sight of the day had to be watching Alex driving 'hot laps' in a Maybach 57 with four passengers! Was Derrick in the trunk for that one? LOL!!

We had a picture-perfect day, too. And at the end, with nearly every dashboard flashing 'Brakes overheating - drive carefully!' (a message that was largely ignored) it was over way too soon.

It was hard to drive home in my pitifully-underpowered, NA W210!

Hope you all had as much fun as I did.



Jeff

cte430

Not that anyone who went wants to give out this secret, but how long in advance did you know of the event? I would be willing to travel to do this I'm #10 on the wait list for Miami. When will MB come out w/ next year's schedule?

tjcMBE55AMG

cte430 - The best thing you can do is to get on the e-mailing list - that will be your early warning to sign up. And I mean within hours of getting the email.


Jeff

PS - I'm reposting the link here to the Quicktime movie shorts from the 2003 Challenge - http://www.mbusa.com/amg/experience/...ing_excitement - I think the one called E55 Express was filmed at Pocono Raceway

Eddie Knopp

Surprisingly the wait list clears and you might find yourself there.

cte430

Eddie, you wouldn't happen to be a physician would you?

Eddie Knopp

Yes, why do you ask ?

cte430

Eddie (or Dr. Knopp), this is really funny. Janice introduced me to you last week. I'm your new Siemens guy. You know, I noticed the Mercedes phone on your hip. Was going to ask what car you had, but didn't think it was appropriate. I'll see you next week!

Eddie Knopp

Chris - actually not - I'm sitting in the lounge at Newark off to Singapore, etc... For Siemens.
I'll be back on the 18th. Janice can fill you in.

Eddie

cte430

I knew you were going. Wasn't sure if it was this week or next. Anyway, see when you get back. have a safe trip.

tjcMBE55AMG

He's a great driver, too!


Jeff

Stephen04E55

Nice to meet all of you guys. It was a great experience and would recommend the challenge to everyone that is interested. The road course portion of the day was the most intense and the autocross course was very enjoyable. I loved to have the opportunity to "rag out" a brand new SL55, E55, and CLK55. Of course as soon as I entered all of these cars my foot instantly went to the floor. Break in...these cars don't need no stinkin break in as all of the cars I drove had less than 500 miles on them. There was never a mechanical mishap with all of the aggressive driving that I saw. I believe that the Graduate program will be for me next year as I had such an incredible time this year at the Challenge.

Eddie Knopp

Steve - I agree - Graduate all the way. I wish the Ultimate would have worked in to my schedule maybe next time.

tjcMBE55AMG

Stephen - I *might* be tempted to do the advanced (graduate) program next year

PS - What aggressive driving? LOL


Jeff

Lenin

Here are some pictures.


$4 mil worth of cars waiting for us

http://users.rcn.com/sukharev.inn/We...G/IMG_0008.JPG

Skidpad

http://users.rcn.com/sukharev.inn/We...G/IMG_0021.jpg

Derek Bell telling us about his "sex life"

http://users.rcn.com/sukharev.inn/We...G/IMG_0024.JPG

Being instructed. Stephen04E55 looks very serious.

http://users.rcn.com/sukharev.inn/We...G/IMG_0026.JPG

Open Lapping. The high point of the day

http://users.rcn.com/sukharev.inn/We...G/IMG_0028.JPG
http://users.rcn.com/sukharev.inn/We...G/IMG_0053.JPG


Hot laps in a Maybach 57

http://users.rcn.com/sukharev.inn/We...G/IMG_0050.JPG

Look who I found in the tunk of the Maybach 57

http://users.rcn.com/sukharev.inn/We...G/IMG_0038.JPG

Slalom in an SL55

http://users.rcn.com/sukharev.inn/We...G/IMG_0047.JPG

tjcMBE55AMG

Hey thanks for the pics! I'm in the one w/Derek Bell ... and possibly in that SL on the close straight.


Jeff

Eddie Knopp

Great pics !!
Thanks

Stephen04E55

Excellent pics there Robert. You have captured the images that I missed with my pics. Thanks.

Vic

Hey Folks-

I echo the thoughts. It was nice to meet a few of you. In case you weren't able to go, or are on the fence about attending, I can honestly say that I'd recommend the program to anyone interested in exploring their car's capabilities.

Jeff (tjcMBE55AMG)was right in that I really enjoyed the autocross and open lapping. Heck, I even had a real blast on the wet skidpad. It was really fun to learn more about the cars and their capabilities, as well as my own inadequacies as a race car driver!

For me, however, the most amazing part of the day had to be the hot laps with Jon Engel behind the wheel. Although I would have loved to make the trip with Derek Bell (autocross course redesign notwithstanding), Jon's driving impressed the hell out of me.

While the cars are downright amazing on the racetrack, I was even more astounded by the drivers. Basically, I'd describe their track driving style of consisting of just two speeds-- either pedal to the metal, full throttle acceleration--or hard braking that is roughly commensurate with what you and I would use in a full-panic stop. That ride was f--king amazing, with four wheel drifts, screeching tires, brake warning lights, and lightning quick steering corrections by the driver. To think that I was under the impression that my own laps in the car were fast! As soon as I left, I was calling friends to let them know how pathetic our driving skills are in comparison to the pros!

I can't wait for the graduate program next year!

Dr Chill

Hey fellas. I would skip any more of these high priced sessions where your time is limited and take your own vehicle to the track for a club event. You can ride harder for longer periods of time, and spend a lot less dough. The parts you use up in one day at the track is 50% of a set of brake pads, 70% of a set of tires. The AMG Challenge was fun for me, but driving your own car at WOT was a lot more fun.

tjcMBE55AMG

Well, uh, jeez Chill ... can we drive YOUR car???

We promise to be careful No, REALLY!



Jeff

(I know there's a tool for removing traffic cones from carbon fiber brake ducts - LOL)

Actually 70% of a set of pilot sports and 50% of a set of pads IS about equal to the cost of the challenge.

Dr Chill

Yes, but one club track day=3 times AMG Challenge track time without big bro monitoing your right foot! How many of you at the Challenge were left wanting MORE!!!!! I know I was last year.

tjcMBE55AMG

Great!!!!! (I assume that "Yes" was that we could track YOUR car, right? )

Of course we wanted more ... I never beat on a SL55 AMG before! And nobody said anything 'bout my right foot, which was typically to the metal.


TJC