Golf and driving are things that many men would rather be doing than working, so automakers are always keen to find an association between the two. The latest publicity stunt, however, drives the point home in more ways than one.
The undertaking involved pro golfer Jake Shepherd, Formula 1 veteran David Coulthard, and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. Jake teed off at the Dunsfold Aerodrome in England and hit the ball at an astonishing 178 mph. Coulthard sped off after it in the SLS and caught it in the open cockpit some 900 feet afield – that's over three football fields in distance – at 120 mph.
The feat was enough to put Shepherd, Coulthard and the SLS in the Guiness Book of World Records on only the second attempt. Mercedes-Benz will debut the video footage in early July, but for now we've got a handful of photos and the official announcement below.
The undertaking involved pro golfer Jake Shepherd, Formula 1 veteran David Coulthard, and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. Jake teed off at the Dunsfold Aerodrome in England and hit the ball at an astonishing 178 mph. Coulthard sped off after it in the SLS and caught it in the open cockpit some 900 feet afield – that's over three football fields in distance – at 120 mph.
The feat was enough to put Shepherd, Coulthard and the SLS in the Guiness Book of World Records on only the second attempt. Mercedes-Benz will debut the video footage in early July, but for now we've got a handful of photos and the official announcement below.
SLS AMG + 178MPH GOLF BALL = WORLDS' FARTHEST GOLF SHOT CAUGHT IN A MOVING CAR
Formula 1™ legend and DTM driver David Coulthard and professional golfer Jake Shepherd set a Guinness World Record yesterday (30 May 2012) at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey, as part of a viral film for Mercedes-Benz UK.
David, who was driving the awesome 571hp Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster at 120mph, caught a golf ball in the cockpit of the moving car which was 275 metres from the tee, and hit by Jake at an astonishing 178mph. This amazing achievement secured the world record for the furthest golf shot caught in a moving car in only the second attempt of the day.
The outstanding feat of skill was captured on film and will be launched in early July to celebrate the power of the SLS AMG Roadster which, thanks to its AMG hand-assembled M 159 V8 engine, rockets to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds.
David Coulthard said: "This world record attempt is definitely one of the most unusual things I've ever been asked to do with a car! Jake Shepherd was great to work with and the performance of the SLS AMG Roadster made driving to catch a mid-air golf ball even more exciting. I am honoured to have received the Guinness World Record for the furthest golf shot caught in a car."
David George,Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars Marketing Director, concluded: "We thought we'd do something exciting to celebrate this special car, and our association with golf ahead of the upcoming Open Championship. It was great to set a new world record in the process thanks to an amazing effort from David and Jake."
Formula 1™ legend and DTM driver David Coulthard and professional golfer Jake Shepherd set a Guinness World Record yesterday (30 May 2012) at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey, as part of a viral film for Mercedes-Benz UK.
David, who was driving the awesome 571hp Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster at 120mph, caught a golf ball in the cockpit of the moving car which was 275 metres from the tee, and hit by Jake at an astonishing 178mph. This amazing achievement secured the world record for the furthest golf shot caught in a moving car in only the second attempt of the day.
The outstanding feat of skill was captured on film and will be launched in early July to celebrate the power of the SLS AMG Roadster which, thanks to its AMG hand-assembled M 159 V8 engine, rockets to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds.
David Coulthard said: "This world record attempt is definitely one of the most unusual things I've ever been asked to do with a car! Jake Shepherd was great to work with and the performance of the SLS AMG Roadster made driving to catch a mid-air golf ball even more exciting. I am honoured to have received the Guinness World Record for the furthest golf shot caught in a car."
David George,Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars Marketing Director, concluded: "We thought we'd do something exciting to celebrate this special car, and our association with golf ahead of the upcoming Open Championship. It was great to set a new world record in the process thanks to an amazing effort from David and Jake."
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