Mercedes-Benz India launches Performance Driving Academy

Mercedes-Benz, in collaboration with Jaypee Sports International Limited, today launched its renowned AMG performance driving academy at the Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida. The academy will be officially known as JPSI-AMG Performance Driving Academy.

Present on the occasion were Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, Sameer Gaur, Managing Director & CEO, Jaypee Sports International Limited (JPSI), Bernd Maylander, Official Formula One World Championship Safety Car Driver and Reinhold Renger, Chief Instructor, AMG Driving Academy.

Speaking at the event, Peter Honegg, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, “With Buddh International Circuit, we have laid strong foundations together for Motorsports in India.  The F1 debut was just the beginning. JPSI and Mercedes-Benz take this step further by offering India’s first performance driving academy. Under the guidance of expert instructors who are themselves former race drivers and champions, our patrons will now have an opportunity to hone their driving skills. Performance driving has come of age in India and the popularity of AMG is testimony to that.”

“Buddh International Circuit has been hailed as one of the best tracks in the world and we are delighted to offer racing enthusiast an opportunity to experience AMG Performance Driving. Mercedes-Benz has decades of experience in this arena and we have found the perfect partner in them.” Said Sameer Gaur, Managing Director and CEO of Jaypee Sports International (JPSI).

Mercedes-Benz along with JPSI has crafted the Performance Driving Academy to create a platform of high-octane experience to motorsports enthusiasts in India. The new Academy will offer structured programs, cars, trainers and help groom new talents on the racing circuit.

The experience of Mercedes-Benz in training enthusiasts for performance driving spans decades. And, at the launch of the academy in India, MB brought the former Mercedes-Benz DTM Driver and now the Official F1 Safety Car Driver Bernd Maylander in India. Along with him, the chief instructor of the AMG Performance Driving Academy, Reinhold Renger was present to give the very first drive experience and personalized hands on training to the Indian Media.

Currently, the BASIC-Training course is available In India. In this course, one builds the ideal foundations for the safe and masterful use of an AMG Mercedes with its range of features- for increased safety and better enjoyment of driving. In theoretical and practical training units, professional instructors show drivers how to exploit one’s driving potential to the fullest and that of the vehicle in the future. The BASIC-Training course is offered to enthusiasts for INR 75,000 per participant. However, Mercedes-Benz customers are offered special privileges & the course is offered at a special price of INR 50,000.

Around 50 participants had an opportunity to drive the AMG range of performance cars to drive on the track; C 63 AMG, E 63 AMG, SL 63 AMG and SLS AMG. The popularity of AMG in India was a further enabler in the establishment of JPSI-AMG performance driving academy, as explained by Ola Käellenius, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Mr. Käellenius added, “The AMGs enjoy huge popularity and we are delighted that India will have an opportunity to experience the AMG range in its fullest glory at the globally acclaimed Buddh International Circuit. Our expert instructors will help the participants hone their skills even further at the same time ensuring that the highest standards of safety are ensured for all. We look forward to welcome our passionate fans for the advanced level courses as well.”

“We started with the F1 event and here we are, back with our commitment to bring the best to our consumers in India. Performance is the DNA of Mercedes-Benz and launching the renowned AMG driving academy only further strengthens our commitment. We are proud to offer Indian fans a unique product and brand experience with the JPSI-AMG Driving Academy”, said Debashis Mitra, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India

Successful racing drivers as high-profile instructors

The AMG Driving Academy employs a total of 21 instructors globally. The permanent team around chief instructor Reinhold Renger includes high-profile racing drivers: Bernd Schneider 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.

Bernd Mayländer 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. 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.

Mercedes-Benz’s involvement with motorsports has a legacy spanning 117 years and the company has been a major force in Motorsports since 1894. The Silver Arrows were born on 3 June 1934 when Manfred von Brauchitsch won the Eifelrennen at the Nürburgring at the wheels of a Mercedes W25.

On 4 July 1954, the Silver Arrows returned for the first time when Juan Manuel Fangio drove his W196 streamliner to victory in the French Grand Prix at Reims, which he won ahead of his team-mate Karl Kling. It was also the first Formula One race win for Mercedes-Benz. From the legendary Silver Arrow to the Mercedes AMG team of today, no other automobile manufacturer in the world shares the same relationship with racing as Mercedes-Benz. The dominance of the tri-star only grows stronger and better with 6 cars running on Mercedes-Benz engines today!

About Buddh International Circuit:

F1’s newest showpiece, Buddh International circuit, has been designed as one of the fastest, most exciting motor racing circuits in the world, and is well suited to the requirements of powerful, high-spec racing of cars and motorcycles. After successfully hosting the inaugural F1 Indian Grand Prix on October 30, 2011, BIC will soon host some of the most challenging motorsport events on the planet.

The 5.14 km track has a combination of 16 corners, high-speed straights and dramatic changes in elevation that has been designed to provide ample opportunities for overtaking, which is what makes motor racing exciting. At the same time, in terms of adherence to safety norms and regulations, run-off areas, medical facilities, facilities for the media and overall infrastructure, BIC is among the best in the world.

BIC has been designed by world-renowned German architect and race track designer Herman Tilke, who has also designed other world-class race circuits in Malaysia, Bahrain, China, Turkey, Indonesia, the UAE, South Africa, South Korea and the US.