We got behind the wheel of various AMG machines, including the SLK55, C63, CLK63 and SL63, for slalom, braking, acceleration and other exercises. I was trained on how to use (consistently, of course!) the right trajectory, meaning the one that not only costs you the fewest milliseconds on the track but also prevents drifting and control losses in normal driving conditions.
A Canadian equivalent
The success of this European school inspired Mrs. Caza, along with race car driver and B.C. businessman Danny Kok, to develop a Canadian equivalent: the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy.
This training program offered by Mercedes-Benz Canada is currently in its second year of operation. Hundreds of Canadians have already seized the opportunity to improve their driving skills on board various cars from the German brand: B, C, E, M, SLK and GLK-Class models as well as three AMGs.
Danny Kok is happy to point out that the performance of the little B200 Turbo systematically amazes participants at the training sessions… just as much as the powerful AMG cars do! "If participants are able to discover all the things you can do with a car like this, it’s because we train them on how to grasp and assess the various capabilities of said car, regardless of model or trim. In fact, anyone can attend our program, not just aspiring racers. What’s more, the priority of our trainers is to have students spend as much time as possible behind the wheel. Cars, more than classrooms, is where the real learning takes place!"
Similar to the European academy, the Canadian school puts an emphasis on customized training. "The classes are comprised of no more than 12 participants. They all have their own car and are supervised by a team of four trainers. Everyone therefore receives maximum feedback on their respective progress."
Said trainers are renowned drivers and expert driving technicians, including Melanie Paterson, Patrick Ah-Yu, Terry Kok, Éric Paradis, Pierre-Yves Lacroix and Mark Antoniuk.
Throughout the year, the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy goes mobile across the country. You can learn more about the available training programs by dialing 1-866-577-6232 or visiting www.mercedes-benz.ca.
You can also register to the AMG Driving Academy. Simply go to www.mercedes-benz-amg.com/driving-academy. You can make this a once-in-a-lifetime overseas trip with captivating training behind the wheel of German thoroughbreds on a legendary European track. How does that sound?
photo:Uli Jooss, Bernd Hanselmann Mercedes-Benz
 |
| The name "AMG" is made up of the first letter in the last names of both founders, Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher. As for the "G", it refers to Aufrecht’s birthplace, Großaspach. |
A Canadian equivalent
The success of this European school inspired Mrs. Caza, along with race car driver and B.C. businessman Danny Kok, to develop a Canadian equivalent: the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy.
This training program offered by Mercedes-Benz Canada is currently in its second year of operation. Hundreds of Canadians have already seized the opportunity to improve their driving skills on board various cars from the German brand: B, C, E, M, SLK and GLK-Class models as well as three AMGs.
Danny Kok is happy to point out that the performance of the little B200 Turbo systematically amazes participants at the training sessions… just as much as the powerful AMG cars do! "If participants are able to discover all the things you can do with a car like this, it’s because we train them on how to grasp and assess the various capabilities of said car, regardless of model or trim. In fact, anyone can attend our program, not just aspiring racers. What’s more, the priority of our trainers is to have students spend as much time as possible behind the wheel. Cars, more than classrooms, is where the real learning takes place!"
Similar to the European academy, the Canadian school puts an emphasis on customized training. "The classes are comprised of no more than 12 participants. They all have their own car and are supervised by a team of four trainers. Everyone therefore receives maximum feedback on their respective progress."
Said trainers are renowned drivers and expert driving technicians, including Melanie Paterson, Patrick Ah-Yu, Terry Kok, Éric Paradis, Pierre-Yves Lacroix and Mark Antoniuk.
Throughout the year, the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy goes mobile across the country. You can learn more about the available training programs by dialing 1-866-577-6232 or visiting www.mercedes-benz.ca.
You can also register to the AMG Driving Academy. Simply go to www.mercedes-benz-amg.com/driving-academy. You can make this a once-in-a-lifetime overseas trip with captivating training behind the wheel of German thoroughbreds on a legendary European track. How does that sound?
 |
| Here’s an overhead view of Raidillon/Eau Rouge, a mythic section at Spa-Francorchamps. |
photo:Uli Jooss, Bernd Hanselmann Mercedes-Benz
Article Gallery