AMG Driving Academy - COTA

Deb

Moderator
Hey, guys, back from COTA! What an amazing 3 days:D I had so much fun and got in so much seat time, just an incredible experience!!!!! They let us start open lapping on the first day! So, we had plenty of lap time and now I qualify for my SCCA license! Having trouble uploading a lap video. I'll try to figure it out and post later.
 
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Kinger

Core
It doesn't seem like you are going that fast until you glance down at the speedometer. 150 mph.......niiiiiiiiice.
 

Deb

Moderator
Yeah, kind of looks like I'm out for Sunday drive, wasn't near as relaxed as I look ;) A thong would have been appropriate in that weather, although probably a touch distracting for all the guys :rolleyes: If the weather had been cooler probably could have been faster but at this point the track was pretty rubbered in and slippery at some points making corner exits tricky if you were on the throttle to quick. The last lap they wanted us to cool the cars down for the entire lap so had to back off after checkered.
 

Deb

Moderator
They provide the cars. This one was 3 days and the first two days you have some track time, but also do slalom, wet skid pad and auto cross. You use different cars for each event, all AMGs. We used the E63S on slalom, the C63S on skid pad and the CLK on auto cross. Auto cross was really fun this year, had a little better course config. On the track we used the C63S, GTS and C43. I own a GTS, so I am more comfortable in that car. They wanted us to drive the C43 the second morning on the track, I didn't want to, but they wanted us to try it out. Got to turn 11 before the long straight, hit the throttle, wouldn't go over 25 mph. Started to pull over to the rumble strips, car stalls completely. Went it "limp mode", self preservation if there is a system that is overheating, like brakes, transmission fluid, oil, etc. So they had to come rescue me off the back straight. AJ said I was driving it too hard, I said, I'm done with the C43s :mad:

The last day is all open lapping except for race start practice, where you grid and start behind a pace car. Very fun! Otherwise, we were running laps or doing analysis of the telemetry to improve our times. It was a really great day. We drove the GTSs all day. I have to say, I know that is the car I own and I bought because I loved it on the track, but I have an all new respect for that car. We were beating on those cars in 100 degree weather all day long and not one had problems. And really driving on the track and grip, I love the C63S but the GTS beats it hands down on the track.
 
Nice, looked like an entertaining event. I like how that car just shoots forward the moment you hit full throttle, must feel great.
 

Deb

Moderator
Yeah, there really is no turbo lag. I was concerned about that going from the NA C63. Some of the others you can feel it, like the C43 and the CLK, but really an amazing machine on the track!
 

Bedo

Core
Just saw this, it does seem like the GT is more nimble than the SLS. Will have to try it for sure! I'm just disappointed there were no cops around to mouth off to. I guess that's the downside of driving on a closed course. :/
 

Twitch

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