Mercedes-Benz academy for keen drivers

Mercedes-Benz Australia continues to offer leading edge instruction to suit first-time drivers. The ‘First Gear' course is designed around requirements typically encountered by 17-24 year olds and directed by a large team of professional drivers.

Programs begin May 2, at Sandown Raceway in Victoria and Eastern Creek, NSW May 8, and are open to the children and friends of Mercedes-Benz customers. Based on tuition offered by Mercedes-Benz in Europe, the local version incorporates lessons on consideration of other road users like truck drivers, how to recognise and deal with understeer and oversteer situations, and loss of control in wet conditions.

Instruction includes details on vehicle safety systems from commonplace additions like ABS and ESP through to Brake Assist and Mercedes-Benz's Disctronic Plus and Active Lane Assist developments.

P-plater, Siobhan Taylor joined the classes and drove excellently around the Phillip Island racetrack. Going from her Ford Falcon daily driver to a Mercedes-Benz van on a skidpan, a selection of AMG models at speed on the circuit and even an Actros truck on offer, Ms Taylor didn't put a foot wrong.

The First Gear course is not designed as a way to ensure a pass in a licence test but to increase understanding of road conditions and vehicle response. The experience of driving a truck, for example, is included to help young drivers understand requirements of road users assigned to manoeuvring large, heavy vehicles and avoid compromising safety by cutting into braking distances.

Learner drivers are customarily informed of driving imperatives such as adjusting mirrors during the official licence process but First Gear students are also advised to include proper seating and steering position, and to understand structures in and around the footwell (the front centre console and foot rest) are not simply provided for comfort but useful for bracing against the unfortunate event of a collision. To that end, instruction on correct position of the driver's seat and steering wheel has equal importance to checking mirror adjustment.

The half-day course is available to Mercedes-Benz customers' children and their friends. "We don't want to single anyone out, Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman Jerry Stamoulis told motoring.com.au. "We're aiming to make some difference [in driver awareness] and that includes friends of our customers."

The First Gear course costs $95. As for more seasoned drivers, Mercedes-Benz Australia provides additional classes to its Driving Academy program including an all-AMG-equipped experience and step-up to further tuition by "invitation-only".

Visit mercedes-benz.com.au/mbdrivingacademy to sign up.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...