S55/E55/C240/CL600 Driving Day; Long...
07-09-2001, 08:29 AM
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S55/E55/C240/CL600 Driving Day; Long...
Just got through with an awesome weekend of the SIR '01 SOVREN event in Seattle.
Besides some wonderful weather and classic CanAm cars et al, the weekend was kicked off on Thursday with the 7th Annual IROE (International Race of Executives) event benefiting Seattle Children's Hospital. It was a great opportunity to take the best of Mercedes to the edge.
Anybody in the area who has never done this should make a point of participating next year...
Last year's celebrity instructor was Phil Hill; this year it was the legends of Dan Gurney and Parker Johnstone - All-time IMSA record holder - who was there to treat us to their experiences in racing....
What a day! To take laps with Parker and Dan at the wheels of the big Benzes was unreal! It was a great opportunity to really compare the S55 with the S8 and I am happy to report that the S8 is the winner in handling & grip, braking, acceleration, seating comfort (for sport driving) and fun. The S takers the honors in prestige and price (if you care that way), plush layout, gadgetry and raw power.
I loved the Benz, but even the E55 (at the hands of Don Kitch) would be an under-steering pig without advanced professional skill. In raw torque it was awesome! Man, we ALMOST loved standing in the hot-pits more and listening to the big 5.5 rumble by... Almost.... (The E55 has a better note with its altered plumbing....)
Riding shotgun with Dan Gurney in the big 600 coupe and watching him toss it around like the pro that he is, was a real treat (no legroom for my 6'- 4'' frame though with passengers in the back of me) but what a sweet ride.
The little C240s with their lively V6s was a hoot to drive... Many thanks to Phil Smart for their sponsorship.... We got to do all of our instruction and probably 50 laps in 10 different cars for the day.
Had it not been for the warning of point fines for turning off the ESP, I would probably have brought my own crew to prep, dial in some neg. camber etc.... Next year we'll pray for 6 speeds rather than the tip-shifts....
I'm hooked for next year.
Besides some wonderful weather and classic CanAm cars et al, the weekend was kicked off on Thursday with the 7th Annual IROE (International Race of Executives) event benefiting Seattle Children's Hospital. It was a great opportunity to take the best of Mercedes to the edge.
Anybody in the area who has never done this should make a point of participating next year...
Last year's celebrity instructor was Phil Hill; this year it was the legends of Dan Gurney and Parker Johnstone - All-time IMSA record holder - who was there to treat us to their experiences in racing....
What a day! To take laps with Parker and Dan at the wheels of the big Benzes was unreal! It was a great opportunity to really compare the S55 with the S8 and I am happy to report that the S8 is the winner in handling & grip, braking, acceleration, seating comfort (for sport driving) and fun. The S takers the honors in prestige and price (if you care that way), plush layout, gadgetry and raw power.
I loved the Benz, but even the E55 (at the hands of Don Kitch) would be an under-steering pig without advanced professional skill. In raw torque it was awesome! Man, we ALMOST loved standing in the hot-pits more and listening to the big 5.5 rumble by... Almost.... (The E55 has a better note with its altered plumbing....)
Riding shotgun with Dan Gurney in the big 600 coupe and watching him toss it around like the pro that he is, was a real treat (no legroom for my 6'- 4'' frame though with passengers in the back of me) but what a sweet ride.
The little C240s with their lively V6s was a hoot to drive... Many thanks to Phil Smart for their sponsorship.... We got to do all of our instruction and probably 50 laps in 10 different cars for the day.
Had it not been for the warning of point fines for turning off the ESP, I would probably have brought my own crew to prep, dial in some neg. camber etc.... Next year we'll pray for 6 speeds rather than the tip-shifts....
I'm hooked for next year.
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