German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz today said it will set up a performance driving academy at Noida in the first quarter of next year to train drivers. "Our long dream is going to get materialised. It (the academy) will be the fourth one after Germany,the US and China. It will come up by January-March next," Mercedes-Benz India,Sales and Marketing Director Debashis Mitra told reporters here. The academy will provide one-day certificate courses,he said,adding,the course will be conducted twice a month. The academy will come up at Noida and German drivers will come here to provide training. "We know the academy will not make profit in the initial stages but we are sure that it will do so in future," Mitra said. However,Mitra,did not reveal the investment. "I can say it will a substantial investment and we are committed to this," he said. Mercedes-Benz is an official automobile partner for the Buddh International Circuit,the venue of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix to be held on October 30. Mercedes-Benz and Jaypee Sports International have signed an agreement last month,according to which Mercedes will provide stand-by safety cars for the event. Besides,Mercedes buyers can purchase tickets for the Indian GP at Merc showrooms for the next 45 days and some of them will get a chance to drive on the BIC track on weekends,but after the race.
