The latest branch of AMG Driving Academy launches in China offering advanced skills and tailor-made racetrack training for the Chinese. This is the first Asian branch of AMG Academy and they are marking the event by a special kick-off course from 19 to 24 November 2010 on the Shanghai International Circuit, with 150 participants already signed up.

And yes, you will get drive the SLS as well! Even if you attend the course with your SLK, as part of the plan they will let you out for a spin in the most high performance car of them all. The cars they use during the course include SLS AMG, SL 63 AMG, a C 63 AMG with Performance Package Plus and an SLK 55 AMG. In China three racetracks are initially planned for the 2011 course.

But if you are wondering what they will teach you in this program, well here’s some details:

One-and-a-half-day BASIC training courses will be held from 19 to 22 November 2010. Participants will assimilate in professional surroundings the know-how required for their first laps at the limit. The two-and-a-half-day ADVANCED training course will start straight afterwards from 22 to 24 November 2010; this course focuses on honing driving skills and promoting a sporty driving style – key areas covered include cornering, the ideal line as well as the braking point.

“China is also a fast-growing market for AMG. And not only are our AMG high-performance vehicles in ever greater demand, but our Chinese customers are also increasingly asking for racetrack training courses. I am proud that we can now also offer Chinese AMG fans a unique product and brand experience with the AMG Driving Academy”, says Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Successful racing drivers as high-profile instructors

The AMG Driving Academy employs a total of 21 instructors. The permanent team around chief instructor Reinhold Renger (42) includes high-profile racing drivers: Bernd Schneider (46) with five DTM Championships under his belt, plus an ITC and FIA GT Championship title for good measure, ranks as one of Germany’s most successful racing drivers. At present, Schneider is heavily involved in the development and testing programmes for the new SLS AMG GT3 – partnered by his instructor colleague Thomas Jäger (33), 2009 Champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and long-time DTM driver for Mercedes-Benz.

Bernd Mayländer (39) drove for Mercedes-Benz for eight years in the DTM and FIA GT Championships, and has been the permanent driver in the Official F1™ Safety Car since 2000 – in his SLS AMG he is helping to ensure the best possible driver safety throughout this year’s Formula 1 season. Susie Stoddart (27, GB) joined the team of experienced instructors in 2009. The Scottish DTM driver is the first woman to score points in the “new” DTM.