Want to Drive the 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG Gulwing Supercar? Read On...

In a classic example of how press departments often miss the point / opportunity when it comes to marketing their own products and services, somewhere after the sixth paragraph in the release on the U.S. launch of the AMG academy this fall, Mercedes states: "Drivers attending the AMG Driving Academy Stage One at Laguna Seca Raceway from November 17-20 will have the opportunity to be among the very first to drive the most technologically advanced AMG ever – the all-new 2011 SLS AMG." Jeez, that should have been marked with big bold letters right in the title...

But anyways. For those of you residing in the States who are interested in test driving one of the most anticipated supercars of the year at the Laguna Seca race track, you'll have to sign up (see info below) for Merc's Stage 1 SLS program that demands a fee of $2,295 (roughly €1,650) which includes a one night stand stay at the InterContinental Hotel in Monterey.

Mercedes also offers two more programs for its AMG Driving Academy across three race tracks at Lime Rock Park, CT (September 9-15), Laguna Seca Raceway at Monterey, CA (November 7-8 & 17-20) and Palm Beach International Raceway at West Palm Beach, FL (September 22-27).

Aside from the aforementioned Stage 1 SLS, there's the one-day Stage I program designed to educate drivers on the fundamentals of performance driving dynamics and car control maneuvers (it'll cost you $1,895) and the Stage II which is a more comprehensive two-day program providing a deeper level of technical driver training, on and off the track. The latter costs $3,495 and is offered only to drivers that have completed Stage I or as Mercedes states, 'an equivalent course'.

Drivers attending these courses will have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of several AMG models including the all-new 2010 E63 AMG, SL63 AMG, C63 AMG, SLK55 AMG and the CLK63 AMG Black Series.

The fees mentioned above include a dinner reception, AMG Driving Academy certificate of program completion and an AMG gift bag. However, bear in mind that travel expenses and accommodations (expect for the Stage 1 SLS drive) are not included. If you want to learn more about the programs head over to AMG Academy'sdedicated site or if you're the kind of person that prefers talking on the phone, you can contact Mercedes at 1-800-217-6916.