Mercedes Product Experience
Discussion
I've just recieved the following invitation:
[i]
"We are pleased to invite you to the Mercedes Product Experience at the Silverstone International Race Track on either the 8th, 9th, or 10th of November.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to get behind the wheel of some of our newest models at this historic venue."
[/i]
Anyone been on one of these Mercedes days? What can I expect, a day hooning round the circuit in an SLK, or a brief test drive in the paddock in an A-class?
Worth attending, or not?
[i]
"We are pleased to invite you to the Mercedes Product Experience at the Silverstone International Race Track on either the 8th, 9th, or 10th of November.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to get behind the wheel of some of our newest models at this historic venue."
[/i]
Anyone been on one of these Mercedes days? What can I expect, a day hooning round the circuit in an SLK, or a brief test drive in the paddock in an A-class?
Worth attending, or not?
If it’s anything like the one I went to at Kirkistown (Northern Ireland) last year, then I would recommend jumping at the chance.
The one I went to kicked off at 9.30 am with tea/coffee & bacon rolls while we had a safety briefing. Then we were taken out to the cars: all 21 of them. I can’t remember them all, but I do remember that was not a single SLK in sight. As far as I can recall, there were a couple of A-Class models, three C-Class, at least three E-Class (diesel, E500 and an E55 AMG), three S class variants, a couple of CL-Class, at least one M-Class and three SL-Class (including SL55 AMG and SL600). Oh, and a Smart Roadster. All things considered, probably not far short of £1 million of metal.
We were taken round the circuit as passengers for 2 laps … and then let loose on the cars. There was a break of about 45 minutes for lunch (outside caterers – very good) and the day wrapped up around 4.00 – 4.30 pm with tea and cake and the prize presentation (they hold a ‘Driver of the Day’ competition – you get marked on various driving skills throughout the day).
In addition, there was a 30 minute observed run on the public roads with an instructor, an ABS demonstration (scary) and a few laps of the circuit with a professional race driver (more scary).
It was a very enjoyable day with a good three hours of track time.
A few weeks ago, I went back to Kirkistown for a Porsche ‘experience’. I got about 20 minutes with a Boxster S and then 30 minutes in a 911 Carrera S (with sports suspension and ceramic brakes). That was fun too, but very different and, ultimately, not as good.
The sheer variety of vehicles at the Merc day, plus the significantly greater amount of track time, gives it the edge.
The standout memories of the day were (i) the sheer grunt of the AMG 5.5l engine, (ii) the Smart Roadster being an absolute hoot in the twisty bits … but a waste of space on the straights and (iii) doing 142 mph on the back straight in the SL600 while talking golf with the instructor.
The one I went to kicked off at 9.30 am with tea/coffee & bacon rolls while we had a safety briefing. Then we were taken out to the cars: all 21 of them. I can’t remember them all, but I do remember that was not a single SLK in sight. As far as I can recall, there were a couple of A-Class models, three C-Class, at least three E-Class (diesel, E500 and an E55 AMG), three S class variants, a couple of CL-Class, at least one M-Class and three SL-Class (including SL55 AMG and SL600). Oh, and a Smart Roadster. All things considered, probably not far short of £1 million of metal.
We were taken round the circuit as passengers for 2 laps … and then let loose on the cars. There was a break of about 45 minutes for lunch (outside caterers – very good) and the day wrapped up around 4.00 – 4.30 pm with tea and cake and the prize presentation (they hold a ‘Driver of the Day’ competition – you get marked on various driving skills throughout the day).
In addition, there was a 30 minute observed run on the public roads with an instructor, an ABS demonstration (scary) and a few laps of the circuit with a professional race driver (more scary).
It was a very enjoyable day with a good three hours of track time.
A few weeks ago, I went back to Kirkistown for a Porsche ‘experience’. I got about 20 minutes with a Boxster S and then 30 minutes in a 911 Carrera S (with sports suspension and ceramic brakes). That was fun too, but very different and, ultimately, not as good.
The sheer variety of vehicles at the Merc day, plus the significantly greater amount of track time, gives it the edge.
The standout memories of the day were (i) the sheer grunt of the AMG 5.5l engine, (ii) the Smart Roadster being an absolute hoot in the twisty bits … but a waste of space on the straights and (iii) doing 142 mph on the back straight in the SL600 while talking golf with the instructor.
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