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TK's Recap of the 2012 AMG Driving Academy Season

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 10:58:28

It seems like not that long ago the race season was beginning and I was welcoming our first class of the year to AMG Driving Academy in Palm Beach, FL. The old saying, “Time flies when you are flying around the racetrack in an AMG!” certainly applies. OK, so it is not an old saying, but I suspect it will become one for as long as AMG Driving Academy is around. We concluded our year with a Pro and Advanced Training at Laguna Seca, and handing out the diplomas to our most recent graduates was definitely bittersweet. It is always nice to see the remarkable progress at the end of the two and three day programs, but knowing it is the last program of the year, also means the engines will go silent and we will have to wait until spring to get another dose of untethered AMG horsepower and rekindle the friendships that we have made.

The cars really are the stars, and it is fun to watch people see the AMG brand in a new light. I like to say that you can’t fake it on the racetrack and going for a hot lap is like giving a car truth serum. The most common question I get after giving a flat-out “taxi ride” is, “How has this car been modified?” Of course, the answer is, “They haven’t!” They have a hard time processing that what they just experienced could be in a stock production vehicle. They also said some other things that are not necessarily fit to printJ

But, the cars without the people would just be a sexy looking parking lot. It is the people that bring it all to life, and my strongest memories come from them. In earlier blogs, I told of an 84 year old woman, Corinne, who treated herself to a new SLS AMG after 40 years of pining after a 300SL, and then treated her son to a Basic Training course. Then there was Ron and his dog Rascal, who likes to hang out the side of his SLS AMG Roadster on road trips. After that was TJ, perhaps the sharpest dressed gentleman we have ever had, who came out for a Basic program after buying a new AMG, only to get bitten badly by the driving bug and signing up for an Advanced course on the spot and then attending the final Pro Training at Laguna Seca a week later! At Auto Club Speedway the two days before Halloween, Selene, whose southern accent partially concealed a ferocious competitive spirit and desire to learn, came alone to our Advanced Training, because her husband prefers hunting to driving. For two days, she competed like a lioness and then high-tailed it home so as to not miss trick or treating with her young one!

I would be remiss if I did not also mention some very sad news that came out of our last event. Patrick and Scott Clarke, multi-time attendees at AMG Academy, were killed when their small plane went down hours after leaving the Pro Training at Laguna Seca. My heart breaks when I think about their families, especially Scott’s four children. Over the three days, I enjoyed seeing the playful banter between father and son as they competed on the autocross and joked about who was buying breakfast (it was complimentary), as well as being educated by Scott about the Hmong population of Fresno that he had spent two years with as a missionary. I know it is small comfort to their family and friends at this time, but I can testify first hand that their last days were spent doing something they loved together and having a great time!

As I was taking a moment to savor the scene inside the beautiful AMG Chalet that is our home at the racetrack, I saw lots of satisfied smiles on some tired faces; tired from the mental and physical energy expended, but satisfied at having pushed themselves further than many thought they could and leaving more capable confident drivers. Having heard over and over that their experiences at AMG Driving Academy rank up there with any they have ever had, I also know they will be leaving with priceless memories.

As the din from the “bench racing” (storytelling) filled the air, I tried to take a multi-sensory snapshot of the sound of their voices, the smiles on their faces, the taste of the pretzels, the smell of the Continental rubber we had just burned and the feel of adrenaline coursing through my veins since it has to last until next time.

Until then, my best full throttle regards,

Tommy Kendall

4 Time Trans Am Champion and Host, AMG Driving Academy

Tommy Kendall's Favorite Features on the E63 AMG

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:17:42

In an earlier blog, I said that the E63 AMG was my favorite car in the AMG Driving Academy fleet. This was said in the context of, “If you had to pick just one car to hit as many of your needs as possible, the E63 AMG was the car for you.” I recalled the impact that the AMG Hammer E-class from the 80’s had on me and countless other teenagers, by shoehorning a big, powerful V8 into a family sedan. If you dig a little further, you will find evidence to support the assertion that the E63 AMG is the modern day incarnation of the car that really put AMG on the performance car map. In 1971, a red AMG-prepared, 300 SEL 6.3 raced to a very unlikely (due to the car’s size and weight) 2^nd place finish in the prestigious 24 hour race at Circuit Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. It was nicknamed, “Rote Sau” and immediately became a crowd favorite and enduring symbol of AMG. The thought of a big sedan taking the fight to the smaller cars that people thought of as the sports cars of the day, clearly struck a chord with people and turned the idea of what a performance car should be on its head!

Fast forward 40+ years and you have the 2012 E63 AMG, a car that is a sports car in family car clothing. AMG was first founded 45 years ago as an engine development company, and that spirit is still at the heart of every AMG vehicle. The 5.5 liter, bi-turbo V8 utilizes high-pressure, direct-injection to generate 518 bhp (550 with performance package) efficiently enough that this car has no gas-guzzler tax. That is right, no gas-guzzler tax while still being able to accelerate 5 adults in complete comfort from a standstill to 60 mph in about 4 seconds! Besides the gains from the direct-injection, ingenious technology like ECO stop-start, and eliminating losses from things like a torque converter in the new 7 speed MCT transmission or hydraulic power steering, the E63 AMG gives you the performance you want (some would say need), while stretching the time between fill ups.

As the E63 AMG has gotten more and more powerful, attention has increased on making sure it stops and turns just as well as it accelerates. As with the C63 AMG and CLS63 AMG, this has resulted in a longer wheelbase and wider front track. AMG Adaptive suspension gives you the best of all worlds by continuously adjusting the damping forces to control roll, pitch, dive, while maximizing agility and smoothness on all types of roads. The standard brakes are massive 14.2” rotors, front and rear. If you want to go even further, the optional AMG Carbon Ceramic braking system are to stopping what direct-injection is to engines. They provide even greater stopping force from 15.8” front rotors, better fade-resistance and greatly reduced weight in the most critical places (un-sprung weight and rotating mass).

Much like the crowd at Spa in 1971, people are still fascinated by a car that excels at everything and does so in a surprising package. For this reason, I still consider the E63 AMG to be the spiritual leader of the AMG brand. Every time I leave the pits in this car with three passengers and commence a flat out, taxi ride gone mad, I chuckle at the absurdity of what this car will do. There are a lot of cars nowadays that haul ass, but for me there is only one choice if you want to haul asses…the E63 AMG!

With full throttle regards,

Tommy Kendall

4 Time Trans Am Champion and Host, AMG Driving Academy

Tommy Kendall's Take on the C63 AMG Coupe Black Series

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:14:17

Where do I begin when discussing the C63 AMG Coupe Black Series? Before I drove my first Black Series car (’08 CLK63 AMG Black Series), I thought it was going to be just a little bit more of everything that I was used to from AMG. Boy was I wrong! I came off the Streets track at Willow Springs Raceway after my first drive with my heart beating fast, chest heaving and adrenaline pumping! The Black Series from AMG are built for the enthusiast that wants the espresso of AMG, the unfiltered, undiluted, acoustic version, if you will. Black Series are what you are left with if you let the engineers in Affalterbach loose with way fewer restrictions. I could list a lot of statistics, materials and components that reflect this (and I will in a bit), but it might be easier to just tell you that in 28 years of being in racing and the performance car world, I have never broken down and treated myself to an expensive, high performance automobile…until this car came along! That is right….the jaded pro racer/TV host, who gets to drive a lot of great cars for free, climbed off his wallet and bought a C63AMG Black Series!

My car is black with black wheels and it has Track Package (differential cooler and super sticky Dunlops), AMG Aero Package (carbon fiber rear wing and carbon fiber front dive plane/winglets) and rear seat deleted. In other words, it is as black as a Black Series can be! Truth be told, buying this car got me in a little hot water with the Mrs., as it is no small expenditure, but she has warmed up to it. I bought her an ’86 560 SL earlier this year which she has affectionately named, “The Girl” as in, “Can we take the girl up the coast for dinner?” After a bit of time, the C63 Black Series’ brutish charms have won her over. She still thinks his wing, flares and such make him seem like a hormone fueled teenager, but now affectionately calls him, “The Boy” and has been known to drive him on occasion. She even mentioned thinking about a red belt to match the interior stitching and seat belt. I also must give her credit for describing the exhaust note and raspy note under deceleration perfectly: “It sounds like boiling oil.” I don’t have the heart to tell her that he doesn’t always play nicely with the other cars in the sandbox. It might have something to do with being born in a place where Bad is part of the state’s name in Germany (Baden-Wurttemberg), but suffice to say that when I asked him if he knew Janet Jackson, he said, you mean, “Miss Jackson?”

As for some of the nuts and bolts that went into making this car different than the “base” C63 AMG Coupe, the list is long and no area of the car was ignored. More power, less weight, wider, louder, stiffer! The 6.2 liter V8 has been boosted from 451 bhp and 443 lb/ft to 510 bhp and 457 lb/ft with the use of the pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft from the SLS AMG. The menacing look is created with a DTM-style wide body, aggressive front splitter and rear diffuser (available in carbon fiber). Fenders are flared 2.2 inches in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear to cover the wider tires and suspension. Massive brakes (15.4”rotors with red 6-piston calipers in front, 14.2” in the rear) convert the kinetic energy created by the powertrain into thermal energy with alarming force. Adjustable coil over suspension and Black Series specific anti-roll bars handle the forces at the corners.

The Black Series started with the idea of, “Why don’t we sell the F1 Safety Car with the lights removed?” It has evolved into a line of cars like the C63 AMG Coupe Black Series that are the ultimate AMG’s and represent the sharpest edge of road car performance. I believe they also serve as an inspiration for the overall brand and a glimpse into its future.

With full throttle regards,

Tommy Kendall

4 Time Trans Am Champion and Host, AMG Driving Academy

Recap of Auto Club Speedway Sessions

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:18:40

AMG Driving Academy has just concluded 8 straight days on the outskirts of Los Angeles at Auto Club Speedway, one of the newer (finished in 1996) racetracks in America. What the speedway lacks in long history, sepia toned photographs and nostalgia, makes up for an incredible facility and even more incredible speed!

Auto Club Speedway holds the distinction for being the place that the fastest lap ever recorded, on a conventional racetrack, took place. Gil De Ferran averaged 241.428 MPH in 2000. Reports say that he was entering Turn 1 on the oval at over 250 MPH and not lifting off the gas!! So, it was a fitting place for our most recent graduates from the AMG Driving Academy to push past their own personal limits in pursuit of fun, excitement and elevated driving skills.

Even though the oval is what people are most familiar with due to the aforementioned Indy Car races, as well as NASCAR’s visits, the road course is perhaps the best example of an infield road course that utilizes parts of the banked oval. The 21 turn layout is plenty fast and never gives you a chance to rest! I am guessing some participants set their personal lifetime top speed marks as well at Auto Club Speedway!

It was the first time AMG Driving Academy has visited Southern California and that was evident in the enthusiasm of the first time participants that live in the largest performance car market in the entire world. The mix ran the gamut from dyed-in-the-wool AMGphiles to new owners that were just beginning to scratch the surface of their vehicles and the world of high performance driving. The rewarding thing for the instructors and me is that every one of them left with some great memories, and more importantly a greater understanding of their cars capabilities and how to extract it more safely. One of the nicest comments I hear is from AMG Driving Academy “Veterans” who tell me that they learn something every time they come even if it is repeating a Basic course with a friend or as a refresher.

A few highlights of the autocross stand out and warrant mention. The autocross is always a crowd favorite! You might be surprised that in a day full of activities on a famous racetrack, running around in a parking lot on a course made up of cones, is near the top of everyone’s list. Why? Competition! It is where mistakes don’t have huge (read: expensive) consequences, so everyone can go to the limit and sometimes beyond. That, and the desire to find out where one stacks up against their peers, is as old as mankind itself! The team autocross pits each group against the others that are there that day and rely on each member to contribute. At Auto Club Speedway, every day that we had teams with multiple women, we saw those teams prevail. Girl Power rules! Finally, during the Advanced Training, our individual winner accomplished something that has only happened once before in 10 years…I was beaten by a participant!! Hearty congratulations and respect to Ken Guddal!! Ken is a poster boy of sorts for AMG Driving Academy. Having never done any performance driving before his dealer recommended he come in 2009, he has been a regular participant since and is now taking his SLS AMG out to his local racetrack for some track time and is clearly learning his lessons well….a little too well for my liking!!

Finally, we were graced with the presence of Reinhold Renger, the Global Chief Instructor, AMG Driving Academy, whose passion and enthusiasm for racing and teaching are reflected in everything we do. Those of you that remember the Fire and Ice episode of my SPEED Test Drive show will recall me saying he would do for Germany what Crocodile Dundee did for Australia. Reinhold’s quintessentially Germanic way, accent and matter of fact manner of explaining things, coupled with his boundless love of what he does, makes learning fun! If one spends any time with Reini, one cannot help to be inspired and more importantly feel like they have a new friend. From the grins on our faces, I am not sure who had more fun in the end-of-the-day Taxi Rides, Reini and I or our passengers! Good times!

Full throttle regards,

Tommy Kendall
4 Time Trans Am Champion and Host, AMG Driving Academy

Final Sessions Approaching Laguna Seca Raceway

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:53:54

Fall is here which means there is a chill in the air and the AMG Driving Academy is winding down. But, much like the holiday season, we have arguably saved the best for last. November brings the last training sessions of the year at world famous Laguna Seca Raceway, including a 3-day Pro Training.

Simply put, Laguna Seca Raceway, on California’s Monterey Peninsula, is one of the greatest racetracks on earth! I might be a little biased since I have been racing on it’s twisting, turning, climbing and plunging asphalt for almost 30 years and even notched my first professional win there in 1986, but I am hardly alone in this enthusiasm! The track was built in 1957 after hosting races on the roads of Pebble Beach became too dangerous. The way the road climbs close to 600 ft and then plunges back down, beginning with the famed Corkscrew, makes for a challenge that has attracted the best racers from all over the world. The Corkscrew was the site for what has become known simply as “The Pass”. Alex Zanardi began his rise to fame (that has continued through this year with his two Paralympic gold medals) with a still-hard-to-fathom last lap pass on Bryan Herta in 1996. While not having the same reputation yet as Nurburgring’s Nordschleife, the battle for lap records here has seen Champ Cars and Formula 1 cars each take stabs at lowering the outright track record in unofficial sessions (currently 1:05.786 by Marc Gene in a privately owned Ferrari F1 car), as well as production cars taking turns to establish bragging rights.

The elevation changes, as well as the variety of corners, are what make Laguna Seca so difficult to master and, at the same time, the perfect place to learn. You can learn a ton at any racetrack, but when the road rises to meet you or drops away, changes from flat to banked, to off-camber (opposite of banked), or sometimes does several of the aforementioned in the same corner, you learn what adjustments need to be made behind the wheel to extract the maximum from yourself and your vehicle!

So far all of my praise has been focused on the racetrack itself, but when you consider that all of this takes place in spectacular natural surroundings, within miles of the restaurants and resorts of Carmel/Pebble Beach/Monterey, and just up Highway 1 from the breathtaking coastline of Big Sur, it is no wonder that convincing non-racing spouses and friends to tag along is so easy.

See you at Laguna Seca?

With throttle regards,

Tommy Kendall

4 Time Trans Am Champion and Host, AMG Driving Academy

CLS63 AMG, A Supermodel According to Tommy Kendall

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:43:41

With Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week having just ended in NYC, I think it is appropriate to talk about the CLS63 AMG for a minute, since to me it is the supermodel of the AMG lineup. Much like a designer that comes up with a completely new look that everyone emulates, the CLS body style took the automotive world by storm in 2004. Before the CLS, if I would have told you there was going to be a sedan with lines as sleek as any coupe and a roofline that would make most sports cars blush, you would have looked at me like I said I was going to introduce you to Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster! There really was nothing else like it; so much so, that it created a whole new category with the oxymoronic 4-door coupe label. While the other automakers will say any similarities between the CLS and their new sedans are purely coincidental, everyone knows who the original was. That said, no one can rest on their laurels and the CLS is no different, which brings us to the second generation of the CLS63 AMG.

To continue on the over-achievement theme, the engineers at AMG focused on boosting performance while at the same time, reducing fuel consumption. In other words, they targeted a quantum leap in efficiency. They delivered, largely based on the marvel that is the M157 AMG V8 Bi-turbo engine that produces 518 hp and 516lb/ft torque while delivering a 25% increase in fuel economy! The high-pressure direct fuel injection is a big reason for the impressive gains but so is a hyper-efficient spark ignition system. I don’t think this is an official engineering term, but I have heard what is described as a “plasma cone of fire” being responsible for burning as much of the fuel in the combustion chamber as is possible. If you check the box for the P30 Performance Package, a bump in turbo boost raises the output to 550 hp/590 lb/ft torque! A car like this that avoids a gas-guzzlers tax is a bit like the supermodel that claims she eats whatever she wants and never goes to the gym…both have otherworldly metabolisms!

Further efficiency gains are found in areas like the transmission and power steering. The CLS63 AMG features the first ever Mercedes-Benz application of electromechanical power steering, and has a faster AMG 14.0:1 ratio than the CLS550. It is also speed sensitive, has three different maps to correspond to the different suspension settings, AND saves 30lbs and 1-2 horsepower by not being driven by the crankshaft like a hydraulic system! The same kind of thinking was applied to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT transmission. MCT stands for Multi Clutch Technology a compact wet clutch that replaces the torque converter that is in most automatic transmissions. Without getting too technical (because I am not technical enough to), the benefits are a reduction in power loss as well as a 60% reduction in rotating mass. In addition to those efficiencies, it also enables 100 millisecond upshifts, automatic throttle blips on downshifts and the Race Start feature.

Throw in some massive brakes front and rear, as well as a revised front suspension geometry that give more negative camber and an interior that has been updated as impressively as the exterior and you have an all-around superstar in an avant-garde wrapper. Given the style, strength and agility, it might be more apropos to think of the new CLS63 AMG as an MMA fighter in a fitted Hugo Boss suit, but given rarity of the collective attributes it represents, I prefer to think of it as supermodel with a good heart that cooks and cleans!

Tommy Kendall
4 Time Trans Am Champion and Host, AMG Driving Academy

Tips for Maintaining High Performance and Regular Vehicles

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:46:35

I get asked a lot about maintenance tips or suggestions for looking after high performance cars. My past crew chiefs would laugh if I made any suggestions that were too technical, but I’d like to share some thoughts about looking after your AMG vehicle.

Even if you have no interest in being involved in the maintenance of your car in any way, one tip applies to everyone that drives. Warming up your vehicle is probably the nicest thing you can do for it. If you are like me, you feel a lot better taking your time to get moving in the AM, or warming the body up before any sort of high intensity exercise. Your car is the same way. Oil is a thick fluid when cold (although the Mobil 1 synthetic’s variable viscosity helps in this area), which is why if you rev a high performance (or any engine for that matter) when cold, that oil is forced through all of it’s channels before it is thinned out, boosting the pressure substantially and potentially causing problems. If you go to the AMG page of your car’s dash, you will be able to find the coolant and oil temperatures. My car (CL63) flashes blue until the oil temp is in the proper range. I do not sit in my driveway and wait for it to warm all the way (who has time for that?), but not using much throttle or RPM until it is warm is something your engine will appreciate. This also gives the other fluids (transmission and differential) time to heat up as well.

Anything I am recommending here should be considered in addition to your regular scheduled maintenance schedule! This will not only ensure that an expert is looking after all of the critical levels and such, but also things that are not obvious to all, like the recommended changing of differential fluid in a limited-slip differential after the first 2,000 miles, will also be done.

In general, the better you know your vehicle, the more in tune with it you will feel and that is one of the intangibles of driving at a high level. It is a little bit like a great parent or maybe more appropriately, a top notch jockey. The more time you spend getting to know your car, the quicker you will be able to sense any change from normal and how to get the most out of it.

We all have our rituals with our cars, and the weekends, when you have a little more time, might be the time to do the automotive equivalent of a pilot’s pre-flight inspection. It is obviously more critical when you will be flying thousands of feet of the ground, but the thinking behind it is the same. A good general look at the car should include checking fluid levels, checking for leaks and new damage, and attention to the tires.

I don’t want to give specifics on how you check the various fluids, even oil, because every car is different. For example most cars should have the oil checked with the engine warm, but not running, while other systems need to be checked while running. For this reason, I would strongly recommend spending a little time with your manual and/or a technician at your Mercedes Benz dealer to get specifics on where and how to check all the fluids, where the visual inspection windows and reservoirs are for things like engine oil, transmission fluid, brake and power steering fluid, and even windshield washing fluid. Your technician can tell you not only where to check, but also the optimal level as too high can be as bad as too low.

Not only is it important to look the levels of the fluids, it is also important to look for leaks. Seeing fluid (or dirt stuck to fluid) is a clue that all is not right. Cars are getting smarter and smarter in terms of self-diagnosing things like this, but it is always best to catch something at its first sign. Once your eye gets trained to how things should look, any change from normal will jump out at you.

Tires and tire pressures are another thing to look at when doing your inspection. Tires are so important as the actual interface between your amazing machine and the road, but are often poorly understood and often neglected. Running on a severely under-inflated tire will damage the sidewall of the tire and create a weakness where the tire could ultimately fail. This is why AMG’s have tire pressure sensors and warning systems. But again, proper pressures are important not only for safety, they also play a big role in handling as the final part of the suspension. There is a reason that race teams set their pressures to the tenth of a pound! When checking pressures also look at the tread wear and any cuts or gashes.

In summary, getting to know your car will boost your connection to it, and help you get the most out of it, but if this is not your thing, take comfort in the fact that today’s AMG’s are getting smarter and smarter about monitoring the cars vital functions and communicating with the technicians. There is nothing wrong with just being a “driver” and leaving the mechanical stuff up to the pros at your certified Mercedes-Benz dealer either.

Tommy Kendall

4 Time Trans Am Champion and Host, AMG Driving Academy

C63 Coupe – A Real Crowd Pleaser

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:28:03

Arguably, the C63 AMG Sedan and Coupe are the hottest AMG models right now, and if you've tried to get your hands on one, you know what I am talking about!

At AMG Driving Academy, the C63 AMG Coupe is a real crowd-pleaser and seems to be a pleasant surprise to many. I think this is down to a number of reasons: It is incredibly agile, predictable, and confidence inspiring. It hauls and makes great noise. It really pampers the driver with its ergonomics. It is just FUN!

I want to dig into some of the details of the car a bit to give you a better understanding of why it is so much fun.

Starting with the chassis, the C63 AMG Coupe builds on what was a groundbreaking platform when the C63 AMG Sedan was launched. The C63 AMG Sedan heralded a new approach that features a much greater level of differentiation of the AMG models from their Mercedes-Benz cousins than prior generations did. This can be most easily seen in the fact that the C63 AMG Sedan has a longer wheelbase and a front track that is 1.4 inches wider than the C300. This required all-new sheet metal from the windshield forward. The C63 AMG Coupe goes even further, with different track widths front and rear, including an additional 0.8 inches in the front.

The result is a car that just does what you want it to do! When you drive the C63 AMG Coupe, it feels like it is an extension of you. When driven hard, it can be kept super tidy and fast with minimal drama or it can be tossed around with ease as the ultimate hooligan's ride on a racetrack. This is possible due to how balanced, linear, and communicative the chassis is.

While some might be surprised by the chassis, the power plant is exactly the kind of marvel that AMG's are famous for. Like everywhere else these days, the bar is being raised in the performance car market and the 6.2 liter M156 V8 (and the SLS AMG's related M159 version) is the result of a clean-sheet design that is pure AMG. The standard configuration of this engine produces 451 hp and 443 lb/ft of torque. If you would like even more, the P31 Development Package makes use of SLS AMG connecting rods, pistons, and crankshaft (in addition to some ECU tweaks) to boost the output to 481 hp, in the same way that a race engine builder would.

This high-revving engine is paired with a new for 2012 7 speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT transmission. The multi-clutch pack replaces the torque converter for quicker, 100 millisecond upshifts, and enables features like Race Start and the automatic blip downshifts. The computer blipping the throttle on downshifts, to match the RPM's in the lower gear, is meant to not upset the chassis when braking at the limit, but let's face it, it just sounds cool anytime!

I would be remiss if I did not also at least mention the brand new, C63 AMG Coupe Black Series. The latest Black Series from Affalterbach, the Black Series takes the already impressive C63 AMG Coupe into extreme performance territory for the folks looking for a track car that can also be driven every day. But, I don't just expect you to listen to what I say, because my actions speak louder. I have a Black/Black Black Series coming for my garage! So, if you see a Black C63 AMG Black Series with black wheels and option Aero Package, say "Hello!" It is likely either me or Bruce Wayne, as that is exactly what Batman would drive in LA!

Tommy Kendall

4 Time Trans Am Champion and Host, AMG Driving Academy

Importance of starting with Basic Training and working your way to Pro Training

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 12:49:25

I am often asked, “Is it really necessary to start with Basic Training at the AMG Driving Academy, even if I have done a lot of driving?”

Well, I don’t know about absolutely necessary, but I can say that if your goal is to learn as much as possible, then I would strongly advise it! Everyone wants to run before they can walk, and I get the mentality that is prevalent amongst the people that are drawn to high performance driving, but, as with any sport, how well you grasp and master the fundamentals will largely determine your ultimate performance level.

I often cite the example of John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach at UCLA who started his first practice of each season by teaching his players how to properly put on their shoes and socks! Imagine the cream of the crop of college basketball showing up and being told something so basic. John Wooden’s point was that everything is built on the foundation of fundamentals so you cannot start in the middle.

I can’t tell you how many times, I have been told by experienced drivers how much they learned in the initial briefing about things as simple as seating position and the thinking behind some of those fundamentals. Even though I have heard it a million times, I still listen because sometimes you will hear something slightly differently or it will make you think of some aspect of what you are doing on the track in a new way. That is how you break through the plateaus that all of us encounter on our way to becoming better drivers.

I had this confirmed to me recently by a student who came to the Lime Rock training this year who had been driving for many years, and had raced on the Lime Rock track. He was taking the Basic Training as a warm-up, and because he had received it as part of the Purchase Rewards Program. He came to me at the end of the day and said, “I was doing this to warm up, but I really did not expect to learn anything since it was “Basic”, but I learned something about one part of the track that I could never figure out!”

Another thing to consider is something alluded to in the prior gentleman’s example, using the basic as a warm up is a great way to knock the rust off before taking an Advanced or Pro Training. I can relate to it as someone who used to only ski once or twice a year. Each trip, half of the time was spent getting back to my prior level before I could begin to advance again.

In summary, there is no right or wrong way to approach becoming a better driver, but it is safe to say, that the more seat time you get with proper instruction, the faster your progression will be. Some people like to quickly work through the progression from Basic to Pro and some like to do two or three at each level before advancing. Figure out what works for you and then have fun!!

Tommy Kendall

4 Time Trans Am Champion and Host, AMG Driving Academy

New addition to the Fleet: 2012 SLK55

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:44:31

The last generation SLK55 AMG was once described perfectly to me as an “angry little car!” If that is true, then the 2012 SLK55 AMG is even more ticked off!

The new SLK55 AMG produces 415 hp and 398 lb/ft of torque, representing an almost 20% boost in horsepower. It does so while avoiding a gas guzzler tax, a feat that is becoming the norm with many AMG models. Behind this seemingly paradoxical gain in power and drop in fuel consumption is the application of technologies that give enthusiasts more of what they want with less of what they don’t want. Things like 3^rd generation High Pressure Direct Fuel Injection and AMG Cylinder Management allow the SLK55 AMG to deliver 4.5 second 0-60 performance with an EPA rating 19/28 mileage city/highway.

The SLK underscores just how far AMG engines have come in a short period of time. Just 10 years ago, the most powerful engine in the entire AMG lineup, which was impressive for the time, was 355 hp! Now the smallest AMG has 415 hp! That is a trend I can get excited about!

As Uncle Ben said to Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility,” the engineers in Affalterbach knew it was their responsibility yet again to pair this new power plant with a chassis that is worthy. The characteristics of great communication of information to the driver and balance, give the SLK55 AMG great poise while being driven hard. The end result is confidence!

So if you are looking to tap into your inner superhero, the new 2012 SLK55 AMG, which is equal parts Spiderman, and Mighty Mouse, makes a worthy sidekick!

With full throttle regards,

Tommy Kendall

4 Time Trans Am Champion and Host, AMG Driving Academy

Highlights from the Lime Rock Sessions

Tue, 29 May 2012 10:42:43

The Lime Rock Park training sessions are now finished and a whole new batch of students have graduated from AMG Academy and experienced the treat that is driving Lime Rock. While the track is only 1.53 miles long, it presents some unique challenges that will keep you coming back again and again to try to perfect it. There is a reason that it has become one of the more enduring tracks for sports car racing in America. The elevation changes, camber changes and series of high speed corners that all build on each other to produce a quick lap time, really test the driver regardless of their level of experience. I don’t care who you are, its seven turns will present a challenge that you will never master!!

We experienced a range of weather, including the rain that makes the area so green and lush. While some participants are understandably apprehensive about undertaking what is perhaps their first experience at high speed driving in slippery conditions, rain presents a special opportunity when learning the principles of high performance driving. As I explained to the participants on the rainy days, for a driver who really wants to learn, it is literally a gift from heaven. Everything that a driver does with his or her inputs to the steering wheel and brakes is transferring weight. The importance of transferring that weight smoothly is all the more apparent when driving in the wet. That said, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) that every Mercedes Benz has, allows the testing of these limits to take place with an unprecedented level of safety. It literally knows you are in trouble before you do! While a lot was learned in the rainy sessions, I don’t think anyone minded the absolutely flawless spring weather that prevailed for the last few days, and was a reminder that summer is fast approaching.

As with Palm Beach, there were some participants that were particularly memorable. One such participant brought a companion that stole the show like only a four-legged friend can. Riding shotgun in his owner’s SLS AMG Roadster, Rascal was a beagle that not only had impressive style peering out the passenger side window when they arrived and left, but he also earned his keep as a service dog. They were enjoying the perfect weather while road tripping from a neighboring state. The car world has all types, and some would cringe at the thought of a dog with his paws resting on the top of the door of a $200K roadster. As a guy who has never been accused of babying his cars, I liked Ron’s approach that said, cars are best when they are driven and even better when they are shared with good friends!

We also hosted several groups from Central and South America. There is a lot to be learned from the Latin participants whose enthusiasm and passion for driving is never in doubt. Furthermore, it was a good reminder how much fun it can be to take part in AMG Academy activities with a group of close friends. The camaraderie enhances the overall experience and we all know what a little friendly competition does for one’s focus! Maybe next time we can have the autocross winners’ respective anthems played during the awards ceremony!

With full throttle regards,

Tommy Kendall

4 Time Trans Am Champion and Host AMG Driving Academy

Favorite Vehicle in the ADA Fleet

Tue, 08 May 2012 15:03:12

I get asked all of the time, “What is your favorite car to drive of all the cars in AMG Driving Academy’s fleet?” The honest answer is usually whichever one I just got out of, as they all have their unique (significant) charms. If I am pressed to pick one though, and in this case, I was asked to choose my favorite for daily driving, I have to go with the E63 AMG.

I think you can chalk a good bit of this up to the cover of a 1987 issue of Road &Track that featured the AMG Hammer. The Hammer was a 300E (W124) that the magicians at AMG had shoehorned a huge 4 -cam V8 into, that went 183 MPH and put out 360 HP! This car was seared into my consciousness, along with every other car crazy youngster of that era. A sedan with that kind of power and capability was the stuff of science fiction.

The Hammer was so extreme that it was almost a caricature, which makes what the E63 AMG has evolved into all the more incredible. 360 HP seems almost quaint now considering it is 55 HP less than the least powerful AMG offered today. Today’s E63 AMG comes with up to 550 HP and physics bending 590 lb/ft of torque all the while delivering 30% better fuel efficiency than it’s immediate predecessor. With its massive brakes and impeccable chassis, it is easy to forget that there are two seats behind you when you are hustling down your favorite road. In an era where everyone wants it all, the E63 is about as close to perfection as it gets if you have to choose one car to hit all of your needs!

Tommy Kendall

4 Time Trans Am Champion and Host AMG Driving Academy

Summary of the 2012 Tracks

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:12:25

Now that we are into the 2012 season for AMG Driving Academy, I wanted to give a brief overview of the tracks we will be visiting this year. There are two returning favorites, two brand new tracks for us and one we have not visited in several years.

We opened things up this month in South Florida at Palm Beach International Raceway. Not only is it located in an area that people who deal with snow like to visit this time of year, its 6/10 of a mile straightaway really gives the AMG’s a chance to stretch their legs and then showcase their massive brakes at the end. I was seeing almost 150 mph in my new SLS AMG Race Taxi!

Next up is Lime Rock Park in northwest Connecticut. Racing at Lime Rock is a right of Spring for most road racers. Its Memorial Day event has been the exclamation point to one of America’s biggest race weekends for over 30 years. Built in 1957, it consists of 7 turns over 1.53 miles. At first glance, that might seem “easy.” Trust me, it is anything but! To the contrary, the subtleties of getting around Lime Rock make it one of the most difficult tracks in America to master.

When summer ends and things begin to cool off, we will be heading to a new venue for AMG Driving Academy, Texas Motor Speedway. In a short time, TMS has become one of the most revered of the high speed oval tracks because of the speed generated by its sharp 24 degree banking. Seeing a modern day coliseum of speed is a sight to behold. What many don’t know is that it is also home to a road course that has hosted the cars of the American Le Mans and Trans Am series; the two series in which I made my name. The plethora of possible configurations makes it an ideal place to host our Basic Training course and all of the skill development that it entails.

After Texas, we head to the idyllic Monterey Peninsula, near Carmel, CA for what has become our west coast home, Laguna Seca Raceway. Its 2.238 miles of undulating terrain will test any driver and is the perfect classroom to develop your skills, regardless of level. The Corkscrew, a two-turn combo that will make your stomach drop like the best roller coaster, is one of the most photographed complexes in the entire world.

The fifth venue that AMG Driving Academy visits in 2012 is another new one, Auto Club Speedway just outside of Los Angeles. Like Texas, it sits inside one of the country’s fastest ovals. As a matter of fact, Gil DeFerran’s Indy Car lap record remains the fastest lap ever turned during an official race weekend. He averaged over 241 mph! Participants of Basic and Advanced Training courses here will actually get to sample what it is like to drive on a banked track as the configuration we will be using is called the Roval (road course/oval). It consists of 21 turns over 2.8 miles.

We are excited to be operating this year at some new venues that are close to some of our best customers, as well as returning to some of the legendary courses that we have visited every year. In deciding which courses to visit, there are a couple of things to consider. First, let me start by saying you can get a lot out of a visit to any of our courses. There is a real benefit to returning to a track you know for more training, as then the only variable is your driving which allows you to make steady incremental progress. Of course, going to a new environment stimulates you in new and different ways that can also lead to breakthroughs, and it keeps things fresh. There is really no right or wrong way to do it. Whether or not you decide to continue your development at a course you already know or go to a new one, the real secret to getting better is simple: it takes practice.

Hope to see you soon!

Tommy Kendall

4 Time Trans Am Champion and Host of AMG Driving Academy

Palm Beach Reflections

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:56:06

Well, the first week of AMG Driving Academy programs at Palm Beach International Raceway have come and gone, but the smiles, memories, and new skills learned live on!

One of my favorite parts of each day comes as you drive in. Each morning we are greeted by AMG Driving Academy’s entire rolling stock of AMG’s (roughly $5M worth!) arranged with care by the technical crew each night into a still life that is a driver’s dream. The gullwing doors of the SLS AMG are usually up, as if showing off after a thorough preening, which is exactly what has occurred overnight. The arrangement is never the same as the day before, but the effect is the same: drivers’ mouths start watering as they picture themselves sliding behind the wheel!

One of the attractions that if not unique to PBIR, is one I have never seen anywhere else. The track has its very own “pet” alligator that lives in the swamp behind the maintenance building. There is nothing warm and fuzzy (or tame) about “Precious” as I named her, and she is growing quickly compared to three years ago. Being a native Californian, it was a real eye-opener to see her motor over to the near side of the bank in response to my hand clapping, but I left it at that and decided to stick to the safe stuff like driving AMG’s at high speed on the race track!

A story that came to light at the end of one of the program days underscores just what a neat community racing is and that the love of cars is a thread that ties together people that you would think you have nothing in common with. I had noticed an older lady that was present all day as a guest, and only later did I find out that she was the one responsible for her and her son being in attendance. It seems that Corinne had fallen in love with a 300SL Gullwing in 1972. She could not afford the car, but never forgot it. She finally treated herself to ownership of a new SLS AMG 40 years later!! She drives the car herself, but treated her son to a basic course at AMG Academy. When I asked her how old she was she said, “I was born in 1928” I said, “So you are 84 this year?” She said, “I don’t know, but if that is how it works out, I guess so.” It is said that age is only a number….and a number that Corinne is not interested in, it would seem. She is too busy living out her dreams. There is plenty of wisdom in that and some that I am going to try to take to heart.

Back to living some dreams! Come join me!!

Tommy Kendall

4 Time Trans Am Champion and Host AMG Driving Academy

Start Your Engines!

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:50:32

Hello All,

The various racing seasons have kicked off around the world and now US AMG Driving Academy is following suit. We all like to start new projects in spring to get ready for summer, and performance driving is no different. So, whether you are new to driving or quite experienced, now is the time to get started on knocking the rust off or embark on learning how to get more out of yourself and your car on the racetrack.

For 2012, US AMG Driving Academy has expanded to five racetracks, including a few new locations in parts of the country that the Academy has not yet visited, as well as two of the original locations. First up is a visit to Palm Beach International Raceway in West Palm Beach, FL at the end of this week and into next week (April 12-17). In May, we will be going back to iconic Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, CT (May 8-17). In the fall, we will visit a new venue, Texas Motor Speedway, just outside of Dallas, TX (Sept 6-9). Later in September will be the first set of dates at Academy mainstay Laguna Seca Raceway, near Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA (September 23-27; November 8-12). In between the two sets of dates at Laguna Seca is the Academy’s first visit to Southern California and Auto Club Speedway, just outside of Los Angeles (October 23-30).

There are 1-day Basic courses offered at all five locations and 2-day Advanced spread out over the five stops, and 3-day Pro courses offered at Laguna Seca only. Check the schedule section of www.AMGacademy.com for more information and for the full schedule of Basic, Advanced and Pro courses. I am looking forward to seeing you all there and kicking off another season of learning. We will have one heck of a good time with old and new friends and some impressively engineered hardware courtesy of our friends in Affalterbach!

With full throttle regards,