Mercedes SLS AMG, David Couthard, Golf & a new Guinness world record

David Coulthard drove a Mercedes SLS AMG, Jake Shepherd drove a golf ball and together they created a new Guinness World Record.

What’s a good way to get some free PR for a car maker?

A Guinness World Record sounds like a good idea (just like MINI in our story earlier today) as does a link to Golf  (lots of drivers play golf) and perhaps a well known name or two.

Mercedes-Benz obviously thought that sounded like a recipe for some free PR so they sent a Mercedes SLS AMG down to Dunsfold (home of Top Gear) to meet up with Mercedes’ very own DTM driver, F1 pundit and former formula one driver David Coulthard.

Also on hand was pro golfer Jake Shepherd to play a crucial part in an attempt on yet another Guinness World Record no one but the man from Guinness knew existed – the furthest golf shot caught in a car.

To the credit of Jake, David and the SLS the trio of consummate pros managed the feat at only the second attempt, with Jake firing a golf ball from the tee at 178mph, DC shooting off in the SLS AMG and catching the ball 275 metres from the tee whilst doing 120mph.

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.

Mercedes has plans to deliver a video of the feat early next month as some sort of viral campaign. Whether that’s a viral campaign for the SLS, DC’s driving skills or Jake Shepherd’s we’re not sure.

But it was damn clever, whichever it is.