Performance Driving at Watkins Glen International
Monday May 31, 2023
Jim Roberts, DMD, MBCA Director at Large
If you ever wonder what it’s like to drive your Mercedes-Benz the way it was engineered to perform, or if you have been frustrated by the slow pace of traffic on winding roads, or if you want to improve your driving skills to take advantage of what those brilliant Mercedes Benz engineers have achieved, or if you simply want to enjoy your car even more, here is the opportunity.
MBCA has teamed up with Lotus, Ltd to secure the famous Watkins Glen Grand Prix track in New York. We will have both classroom and on track instructors to help you learn the skills that race car drivers use to negotiate challenging turns safely and quickly. The exhilaration of applying the power smoothly through the turns while using the entire width of the pavements is intoxicating.
While we are teaching the skills, this is not a competitive event. Toto Wolf is not going to call you the next day to try out for the Mercedes AMG Formula One team, but you will get a certificate inducting you into the MBCA “Sportfahrer Verein” (Sports Drivers Association – it is shorter in German). This will entitle you to get the badge to proudly display on your grille or desk.
Costs are:
D.E. Instructed Driver: $425.00
D.E. Solo Driver: $395.00
D.E. Instructor (must be pre-approved): $75.00
D.E. Instructor (no car): $0.00
Performance Driving Experience (see below): $125.00
Search on Watkins Glen and find our event on the www.clubregistration.net website.
Be sure to download the tech inspection and helmet release forms. You will need to have your professional mechanic perform and fill out the inspection. (Hint: tires are best for this with only 4/32 to 2/32 tread depth remaining).
Your helmet needs to be a Snell (SA – not MA) 2010 or later. Motorcycle helmets are a different design and are not acceptable for this. You may rent a helmet at www.racesuitrental.com.
Performance Driving Experience
If you are unsure about the track you might consider this activity as an introduction to track driving. These students attend the first two classroom sessions with the novice and intermediate students. After the first classroom you ride with an instructor at highway speeds: i.e. not over 60-65 mph on straights, gentle braking, turns at no more than 7/10 of the car’s ability.
After the second classroom session you drive the instructor in the same manner in your car. Since this is no faster or harder on the car than normal highway driving, the rigorous tech inspection or helmets are not required.
Cost for this is $125.
There will also be a Laps at Lunch session behind a pace car, if you want to take guests around the track.
Many of you know how passionate I am. I’ve been racing and teaching these skills for 50+ years and never tire of it.
See you at the Glen!
Jim Roberts, DMD
MBCA |Director at Large
|Performance Driving Committee
