Mercedes AMG Challenge 2004 at Indy (pics)

[bjwebster]

Well last weekend, I went to indianapolis for the Mercedes AMG challenge. It was great fun wringing out the cars. This is the second year I have done the challenge, I did it last year at Daytona, but this was a different program because it was the graduate program. Lead driver Derek Bell was a great source of information, and a real nice guy.



Here are 2 Videos I Took (right click save target as):

Video 1

Video 2





Some Pics:

This is the E55 Skidcar. The understeer and oversteer can be controlled by the instructor in the car.

This is the new C55 doing passing excercises. Little car, big V8.

A Few AMG's preparing for the F1 course.

AMG's at rest at the end of the day.

 

[rstype]

Looks like tons of fun! Notice any peculiarities with the new "on-off" brake feel?

 

[Redcar GUY]

Sweet pics.. Look like Indiana.. Home to me Brad was telling me you had some great pics and they are!

 

[bjwebster]

BW: The brakes on the E and SL do feel a bitt different from traditional brakes, but I dont think its bad. Plus, when your on the track, im not thinking about exactly how the brakes feel, just that they are doing what I want them too.



RCG: Yep, it was held at Indianapolis Speedway. It was great fun, and supposedly it was the first time ever that "civilians" were allowed to use any of the F1 course, or as they called it, hallowed ground.

 

[Ramolap]

So what exactly does that contraption on the E55 do?

 

[bjwebster]

So what exactly does that contraption on the E55 do?

The "outriggers" are controlled by the instructor in the car. They are used to induce extreme understeer and oversteer so that you can learn how to deal with it.

 

[jimmybuffit]

Well, that's COOL!



You're right, it is unheard of to be on the F1 circuit!



Sorry I missed it. Turns out I've done one of those cars, maybe two...



Serious stuff!



Jim

 

[bjwebster]

Well, that's COOL!



You're right, it is unheard of to be on the F1 circuit!



Sorry I missed it. Turns out I've done one of those cars, maybe two...



Serious stuff!



Jim

Yeah, we were told to be real careful on the track, one car goes off and we could possibly not be able to use it for the rest of the day. One car went off, im not sure what happened, but I was told it was "buried in the gravel", a S55 I think, and I saw a slew of flashing lights from the wreckers pulling it out. But alas, it didnt mess up the day, we kept using the track.

Beauty of it was, all the cars belonged to Mercedes, so we werent tearing up our own cars! hehe

 

[imported_Terry]

Great cars......Looks like a blast:xyxthumbs