Exotics Racing in Vegas | FerrariChat

Exotics Racing in Vegas

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by m.roberts, Aug 19, 2013.

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  1. m.roberts

    m.roberts Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2009
    907
    USA
    I know it has been talked about on here before...

    Regardless, I wanted to tell everyone that this is about the best bang for your buck you will ever get in an exotic, EVEN if you already own one.

    I did the experience this past weekend. 5 laps in an aventador, and 15 in a 458.

    Having had a 430 spider, 430 Scud and 458, I knew how to drive the car pretty well.

    These guys let me drive the car like I stole it. I mean it was absolutely amazing. All they did for me was critique my technique to try and help my cornering and braking.

    I highly, highly, HIGHLY, recommend doing this. Whether you have never driven one, want to buy one or even own one but don't have the availability to take the car to a track.
     
  2. Ferrari-F1

    Ferrari-F1 Karting

    Jul 12, 2013
    238
    Southern California
    Good looking out, i'll have to check it out nextime i'm in Vegas

    Maybe this should be posted in another section so it can get more attention?
     
  3. m2g2

    m2g2 Formula 3
    Owner

    Aug 10, 2012
    1,383
    SoCal
    Full Name:
    Mark
    #3 m2g2, Aug 19, 2013
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2013
    We were there last year as spectators only. Everyone with whom I spoke was VERY satisfied and felt their money was well spent. Next time I'm in Vegas, I may plop down the money and have a go at it on the track with their car :)

    Thanks for the observations.

    Mark
     
  4. DoctorWill

    DoctorWill Formula Junior

    Jun 12, 2010
    761
    Playa Vista
    Full Name:
    Will
    I was just there two weekends ago. I drove 5 laps in the SLS and did not like how it handled. I then drive 6 laps in the R8 which was easy to drive but somewhat boring. The last car was 459 Italia for 7 laps which was exhilarating! That was the only car that made me sweat as the car screams from up and down shifting through the corners. They instructors really encourage you to go faster and faster each lap. I found it to be really helpful to be able to experience the car for what it can do. I now have new respect for my car.


    Sent from DoctorWill's iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  5. Salivan

    Salivan Karting

    Apr 27, 2012
    84
    It is just great to read all that.

    I'll be there next week, so anxious!
    Will be my first time driving a F-Car!
     
  6. perrinnation

    perrinnation Formula Junior

    Nov 24, 2012
    700
    The Detroit area
    Full Name:
    David
    I recently had a similar experience driving an F430 F1 for 4 laps around GingerMan raceway in western Michigan. It was my first time behind the wheel of a Ferrari and it was well worth the $150. The folks at Xtreme Xperience were REALLY nice and I had a great time. I just got an email stating that they have added the 458 to their stable so I will be planning a return visit a bit sooner than I originally thought!
     
  7. m2g2

    m2g2 Formula 3
    Owner

    Aug 10, 2012
    1,383
    SoCal
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    Mark
    Will, was this just before or after you got your 458? I know you didn't track your Scud, but how would you compare the 458 track experience to getting frisky in the canyons with the Scud?
     
  8. m.roberts

    m.roberts Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2009
    907
    USA
    I know you weren't asking me, but I can tell you from LOTS of back roads drives on my scud and 458, a track experience didn't compare in the slightest.

    You can go a lot faster without the threat of oncoming traffic and other road obstacles on the track than you could ever imagine on any street or back road.

    For having well over 20k miles of extremely agressive driving experience in my personal F cars, I felt that I looked like an amateur out on the track. I passed plenty and never got passed myself, but I have seen videos of other guys driving the 458 at Exotics Racing and blowing away my lap time by 10-18 seconds.

    Ultimately, I didn't understand the proper technique on properly braking before going into the turns. I probably looked more like I was trying to drift the 458! hahah
     
  9. DoctorWill

    DoctorWill Formula Junior

    Jun 12, 2010
    761
    Playa Vista
    Full Name:
    Will
    It was a totally different experience on the track. I see how it's addictive because the level of driving and technique are at a different level. I've driven a lot of canyon roads and gunned my cars for many years but there's always safety concern.

    On the track, you're not distracted by the road signs, lights, other cars or police. You concentrate on driving. I learned to brake properly to prepare the car into the turn and then Ride it out through the turn to accelerate into the straightaway. Also learned about proper lines to get ready for the turns. This is just learning the basic techniques without too much passing but it took up all my attention. Having the instructor in the car was helpful because he was able to recognize your mistakes and coach you through the next turn to be better.

    I think Eddie can add more on the track experience since he races regularly. This is why we should only race him on a straight with a faster car, he'll lose us all on the turns.

    Will


    Sent from DoctorWill's iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  10. m2g2

    m2g2 Formula 3
    Owner

    Aug 10, 2012
    1,383
    SoCal
    Full Name:
    Mark
    Thanks, guys! I am trying to convince myself that the experience is something I really want to do. I would never go on a track with other cars present (bad left eye...depth perception issues), but a track with no other or very few vehicles is very intriguing. It's been years since I was last on a track (Spain, mid 70's). Cars were not as expensive or fast in those days, not even our "race" cars. Recently, I've been a passenger on the track with Hammad (Sakred) in his GT-R and was amazed by the close proximity of the cars at some very significant speeds. Hammad made it look effortless and he was a great host. Thanks again, Hammad :)

    I'm going again on September the 8th, to Speed Ventures, this time with both Eddie and Hammad. Maybe I'll catch the bug again and just go for it!

    Mark
     
  11. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2008
    106,080
    Vegas baby
    They are a great group up there. Well organized. Take their shuttle up and back if you don't have a car. It makes things so easy.

    I've met some of the crew at the Wynn dealer. They really are "car guys".

    Also, I suggest you take the ride with the crazy guy who takes the Vette around the track. That's an E ticket if it ever was one. That guy is nuts! :)
     
  12. Clutch5150

    Clutch5150 Karting

    Jul 27, 2013
    221
    The Wynn Service center is the group who services the 458's for the exotic driving company. Quite the stories from the bat cave! ;-)
     
  13. 3604u

    3604u F1 Veteran
    BANNED Silver Subscribed

    Sep 27, 2004
    6,298
    london/singapore/JKT
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    D
    How much was the experience ?

    Thanks
     
  14. Clutch5150

    Clutch5150 Karting

    Jul 27, 2013
    221
  15. Salivan

    Salivan Karting

    Apr 27, 2012
    84
    Thanks for the suggestion, defly going to check that out!!
     
  16. m2g2

    m2g2 Formula 3
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    Aug 10, 2012
    1,383
    SoCal
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    Mark
  17. Salivan

    Salivan Karting

    Apr 27, 2012
    84
    TheMayor, I just sent you a PM. Please check it out.
     
  18. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2008
    106,080
    Vegas baby
    Yes, I got it and responded.
     
  19. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 17, 2001
    34,432
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    Joe Mansion
    Why is the Mclaren more expensive than the Aventador?
     
  20. Stevely

    Stevely Formula Junior

    Jul 21, 2011
    634
    LA, CA
    I was there this past weekend. I had a subpar experience with their 458. The track is short. They wouldn't let me out of 'sport' mode. They wouldn't let me downshift in some turns keeping me out of the power band. On the straight they instructed me to shift at 7000 RPM. Totally lame.

    As a suggestion, I would count your laps as you do them because they have a tendency to short change you (I know it's kind of tough when you're trying to push the car). That seems to be a common complaint on yelp and tripadvisor. In fact, I paid for 7 laps and I swear it felt like I only did their standard 5. They also try and upsell you when you get there.

    Also, when driving there, I saw a billboard for their competition, Dream Racing (no affiliation), that was $100 cheaper for the same number of laps. They played dumb and said they didn't know anything about it.

    For someone who owns exotics like most do on this site, I would pass on Exotics Racing. It's more for a wow factor for those that have never driven a Ferrari, Lambo, or Porsche before.
     
  21. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2008
    106,080
    Vegas baby
    What were you expecting? Even the dealers won't let you do that with a test drive when you're about to plunk down a quarter million.

    The 458's don't have Carbon brakes either if you noticed. It's because the people who will drive it will never notice the difference.

    Exotic racing is not there for people to actually race the cars or test drive the cars. It's there for people who have never driven an exotic before to experience it. 98% of all those people have never driven and exotic and will never own one.

    This is their bucket list.

    If you want to actually track it, buy one.
     
  22. skinguy23

    skinguy23 Formula Junior

    Jun 19, 2011
    612
    Midwest
    Full Name:
    Steve
    I had a lousy experience there a year or so ago. The instructor let me open it up, but was a jerk overall. When I asked a receptionist person if I could go out and look at the cars, she said yes. When I was out there looking, another lackey chewed my ass out for being out where the cars were. I had fun, but the personalities of the staff took sum of the shine off of the afternoon. I got my frustrations out with a machine gun at a range afterwards. Anyway, Im never going back.
     
  23. Stevely

    Stevely Formula Junior

    Jul 21, 2011
    634
    LA, CA
    You're right. And that's why I expressed my opinion which probably speaks more to the majority on fchat who own exotics. Don't waste your time because it's not for us.

    I went there with the impression that I would be able to 'track' their 458 to compare it to my Scud, but I guess I was wrong. I felt that I paid a fair price to rent their 458 for a few laps and they were putting me on a TRACK with an instructor/chaperon to make sure that I was safe and respectful. So it seemed to make sense that I would be allowed to drive the car as it was designed to be driven.

    That being said, Dream Racing appears to be more 'race' oriented based on their website, so I will try them next time.
     
  24. sparetireless

    sparetireless Formula 3

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,587
    cars are well kept and instructors would let you really drive it if you did not scare them on the first lap.
     
  25. MarkNC

    MarkNC Formula Junior
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    May 22, 2012
    787
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    Mark
    #25 MarkNC, Aug 28, 2013
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2013
    Do both companies use the same course?
     

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