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Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands visit report.
"What was your Sunday Lunchtime view"
Or BMWCC SAS venture into “enemy territory” on 15th April 07
Report and Photographs By Melvyn Pettit
Mercedes-Benz World
Sunday the 15th April was the date that BMWCC SAS (Southeast Active Supporters) ventured into “enemy territory” and spent a day at Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands, Weybridge, Surrey.
This event proved very popular as the event was fully booked by the due date. Club member Ed Tucker had to be persistent, as he could not get an AGM driving experience until the Friday night before the event, as it was then a space became available.
I arrive early before the morning fog has given way to the promised April heat wave, so I could take some photographs of the venue before club members start to arrive. The Mclaren SLR in the picture is pre-owned and is up for sale with just over 19,000 miles on the clock, the asking price is £209,950.
I have to thank Lucy Killington, Event Coordinator at Mercedes-Benz World, who had arranged, so our BMWs were parked just outside the main entrance to M-B World. This was soon filling by the opening time. BMWCC Vice president John Safe arrives just after me as he was booked for the 10am driving slot, he give up an hour of his BMW ZM Coupé power for CLS 65 AMG 600+ps V8 6.2-litre power.
While informing club members that they will have to book a time in the Gullwing restaurant as they will be full to-day, Ed Tucker receives a telephone call from M-B-World his planned AGM car has developed a steering pump fault and could he go inside, and meet with them. Luckily they fixed the fault by his time slot of 12 o/clock.
Over 30 BMWCC members had arrived, also thanks to Graeme Fillmore, who persuades ten Damiler/ Lancester Owners’ Club, Surrey branch members to join us on the day.
So with the parking sorted out I make my way from the car park and round to the handling circuits to watch and photograph the on track actives.
John Safe was soon getting to grips with the deep throaty sounding AGM V8. I think his years of BMW Nurburgring training, that he has taken and arranges for club members seemed to have helped!
John reported back later over lunch, that his instructor had informed him that they have to keep tyre noise down as they must not upset the local residents.
Another one of the activities also taking part on the handling course was the Emergency Stop exercises.
This reminded me of our trip over to the Luxembourg BCE meeting in 2005, where we did this exercise at the Goodyear test track. Note that one of the cars used was a Mercedes-Benz estate car and for those lady club members who are a bit intimidated by this type of event.
The Instructor in the Estate was a Woman, so don’t be put off and take the plunge and have ago at a date that suits you.
Great fun, Safe and very informative, on demonstrating how ABS Anti-lock braking system works.
Time to catch up with our club members and take a look around inside the very impressive three story building.
On entering, an M-B host hands you a plan of the layout and as you can see from just some of the cars on display, there is something from all areas of Mercedes-Benz motoring history. I lost count of how many Gullwing Mercedes-Benz were on display, three I think. One of the information displays read, “In 2005 there were 67 recognized Mercedes-Benz clubs with 72,000 members and 115,000 registered vehicles”.
There is also the full range of the latest models on display and you are encouraged to sit in them and get their feel. On the top floor just out side, the Gullwing restaurant is the Mika Hakkinen’s 1999 Formula One Mclaren Mercedes on display.
Time for lunch “What view did you have for your Sunday Lunch?”
Our group had booked for an early 12 o/clock lunch and we were given a sun-terrace table.
The view we had over looked the handling circuits. So while we were enjoying lunch in the sunshine. We could look down on club member Ed Tucker and his wife who were on the track at this time, who gave us fine entertainment.
It was pointed out that it did bring other SE gourmet eating experiences to mind. The one in question were our meals at the Kohlibri Restaurant, Aachen, Germany. It has a sun-terrace and is on the top floor of the AC Schnitzer BMW dealership.
With the excellent meal over with it was time to settle the stomach by taking the SLK Build ride.
This was a 3D simulation ride with moving seats. Therefore, we felt every stage of production as another fine SLK example rolls of the production line.
Therefore, with all the activities on hand for all the family, a visit to the Mercedes-Benz World is well worth doing and the view at lunchtime is not to be missed.
Our thanks go to Lucy Killington, driving experience Instructors and the M-B hosts and staff for making it a great day out.
Directions to: Mercedes-Benz World
Brooklands Drive
Weybridge
Surrey
KT13 0SL
From Junction (10) of the M25 follow the A3 towards London taking the first exit and turn left at the roundabout onto A245 (signposted) Weybridge. Continue along the A245 for approx 1.5miles. At the second roundabout turn right onto Sopwith Drive. Continue straight on at the two mini-roundabouts, and you have arrived Mercedes-Benz World.
To find out more information check out their website: www.mercedes-benzworld.co.uk