Mercedes test driver targets drift world record in AMG saloon
Mauro Calo will attempt to slide a Mercedes-AMG saloon for 12 laps around Mercedes-Benz World, aiming to surpass the existing 2.44km drift record.
Mauro Calo, a test driver for Mercedes-Benz, will attempt to break the world record for the longest continuous drift this weekend at Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey. The plan is to keep a Mercedes-AMG saloon sideways for 12 laps around the venue’s narrow perimeter track, covering a distance of roughly 3km in one sustained slide.
The current world record for the longest drift stands at 2.44km, or just over 8,000 feet. Calo’s planned attempt, if successful, would push that figure beyond 3km. Mercedes-Benz has not confirmed whether the car will be an E63 AMG or a C63 AMG, but both models feature a rear-wheel-drive layout and a powerful V8, making them suitable for extended high-speed drifting.
Drift preparation and technical challenge
Calo is expected to maintain the drift in third gear, spinning the rear wheels at an average speed of about 88km/h. The perimeter track at Brooklands is tight and requires precise throttle and steering control to keep the car sideways without losing momentum or grip. The attempt is expected to last around four minutes from start to finish.
Tyre selection will be crucial. Sustaining a drift for 12 laps puts enormous strain on the rear tyres, which must survive constant slip and heat build-up without failing before the record is reached. Mercedes-Benz has not disclosed which tyre brand or compound will be used for the attempt.
World record attempts and previous feats
Drifting world records have become a way for manufacturers and drivers to showcase vehicle control and durability. The current record-holder managed 2.44km in a single drift, but Calo’s target of 12 laps at Mercedes-Benz World would set a new benchmark for sustained sideways driving in a production saloon.
What it means for Mercedes-AMG and drivers
A successful world record attempt would reinforce Mercedes-AMG’s reputation for building saloons that combine performance with durability. For Calo, it would be a demonstration of driver skill and vehicle control at the edge of adhesion. The attempt will also highlight the engineering behind AMG’s electronic stability and traction systems, which must be disabled or finely tuned for such a feat.
Should Calo succeed, the record will stand as a reference point for future drift attempts and a marketing highlight for Mercedes-Benz. The event is expected to draw attention from enthusiasts and the wider public, with the spectacle of a production saloon holding a drift for over three kilometres around one of Britain’s most historic motoring venues.
