**This is my long review of the Exotics Racing in Las Vegas**

Sorry for the iPhone photos, I didn't have my nice camera with me. I'll post better photos when I get them from my family who was with me.

Hey Everyone, I recently returned back from Las Vegas for vacation, and I had the opportunity to visit Exotics Racing while I was out there.

I had been wanting to do this for a long time, finally decided that this was the time. After checking out their site for a while, I decided that I wanted to drive the 458 and the Murcielago.

The day of the race, we head out to LVMS and head to their garage. When you walk in, it's just loaded with every possible dream car. Really a sight to see. Out on the track, these beauties are being driven at WOT. Needless to say I was excited.

After the safety and short track discussion, we were taken out for a couple discovery laps in a Cayenne GTS. I was floored how well that SUV took corners. It helps when you have a racing instructor driving it, and not a soccer mom.

The first car I see in the garage is the Porsche GT3 RS. This was the ride-along car for the day. They had a pro racing driver taking people out for a couple laps in it. It looked fun as hell. (Note the racing slicks and heaters). They said they went thru 3 sets of rear tires per day for the ride-alongs.



Here's a video of him leaving the garage.

[youtube]cYcX5K8VKiU[/youtube]

After my discovery laps, I went to go check out the first car I was going to drive. 5 Laps in the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640.





When my turn came up, I put my helmet on and entered the car. Being 6'2", it was a bit tight. Pretty much zero headroom. Luckily I only needed to focus my eyes forward, didn't need to use the mirrors (the instructor does that for you). They do let you drive the car as hard as you want (or as hard as you feel comfortable). For this car, they forced you to stay in 3rd gear. It wasn't a big deal, as this short 1.1 mile track, 3rd gear was all you needed.

This is not a light car. 4500lbs, plus 2 grown men, plus a full tank of gas. The instructor made it clear to be careful under hard braking. He mentioned a couple of times before we started to keep the wheel forward when hard breaking and tail break into the corner. On the track, the car definitely felt heavy, during hard braking you could really feel the weight of the rear end. Hitting the gas...wow... the only word to describe the power: violent. Going around the corners was actually easier than I expected. I suspect the AWD helped there.

After 5 laps with the Murci, I waited my turn for the 458.




The 458 was only a month or two old. Still had the new car smell. After 5 laps in the Murci (and realizing it felt short) I added 3 laps to my 458 ride. 8 Laps total.

Pulling out of the garage. First thing he said. Take it out slow, short shift into 2nd.

[youtube]EOWCXjToOgQ[/youtube]

Since I had just done 5 laps in the Murci, I knew the track pretty well, so we could get right on it. The 458 is a totally different car. It was lighter, and significantly faster in the corners, you could really push it. The instructor reminded me a few times before we started to ease onto the gas, instead of punching it or we were going to end up in the dirt.

[youtube]rkDulJp2rWU[/youtube]

After a few laps, I was in love. The power, the sound, was just intoxicating. I kept pushing the car harder and harder with each lap. The acceleration blew away the Murci. A couple of times the instructor was pushing me so hard we were able to get the ass end to break loose. What a rush. Topped out at 140ish in 5th gear on the straight. Downshift to 3 into the corner.

All in all, it was totally worth the money. If any Azine'ers are looking to do it, skip every other car and get as many laps of the 458 as you can. I told the instructor as we drove back to the garage, that the Murci was shit in comparison. He agreed, it's fun in a straight line, but in the corners every other car beats it out.

 

wow that looks awesome, would love to drive the 458 at WOT
now if i can only justify spending the money:idea:

and thanks for sharing this with us

 

sounds like a great time.

 

Thanks for the review, I think I'm gonna do this when I go in June.
You're making me re-think my car choices now.

How long was the whole experience?

 

That's awesome, glad you enjoyed. I'm sure we are all jealous

 

Thanks for sharing. An exotic car road or track day is certainly on my bucket list.

 

Definitely do it. It's obviously not cheap, but really worth it.

The whole experience was a couple of hours. You spend a few minutes getting checked in, then about 30 in the safety lecture. Then they rotate people thru the Cayenne GTS.

From there you can check out all the cars while you wait your turn. Getting photos and sitting inside them.

Out on the track, it goes quick. It's only 1.1 miles long. Thats why I would recommend getting the most laps with a single car, instead of multiple cars (unless there is one that you're really wanting to drive).

The instructors there said that the Gallardo Superleggera was the fastest car around the track (due to the power and light weight). And the F430 Scuderia was the most "raw" feeling, pure race car.

The most interesting thing, was he said the Porsche Carrera S was the most fun car on the track, said you basically just point it where you want to go and can throw it around out there.

 

my uncle went to this in January, I went to watch. He drove the Murci and the 430. He liked the 430 much more. He drove kinda slow in the Murci, guess he didnt like the car that much But I saw the 458 doing laps, that things sounds amazing. That and the Scuderia, were def amazing to hear at WOT. The ride along there is a lot better than the one they had over in Fontana haha, it was a Corvette. But I think I might get this as my 21st birthday present my parents saw how much I wanted to do this haha. But asking to do the 458 might be to much if it does happen since its so much more expensive, I'd be fine with the 430.

I was kinda surprised how short the laps were though. Fontana is about a 1 mile course too. And with the long straight, you dont get to much cornering. Your basically paying 60 dollars a min haha. Kinda a lot. But def something to do at least once in a lifetime, I would say.

 

going to Vegas in May i might have to check it out thanks OP

 

looks like a hellofa time!

 

When I went, the Murc. was out for transmission work. It was one of the cars I really wanted to get some time in. The 458 had also been delivered.

Did they tell you the GT-R was the cheater car?

 

Thanks for the pics and posting your experience.

As you know from the Vegas thread, I'm doing this in June and selected the R8, SuperLegg and 458. Hopefully the Italia won't be beat into a pulp by then.

 

Awesome. Simply awesome.

I want to do this. Really.

 

I'll be there on the 31st., I'll definitely check it out.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_weeken...s-in-las-vegas

 

+1.

 

When I went to Vegas back in February, I had this on the agenda of things to do....then my flight got cancelled the day I was supposed to leave, forcing me to lose a day of my trip - the day I lost was the free day i had, and the only day of the week that Exotics Racing runs their program (Wednesday and Saturday, which the latter I couldn't go), so I figured I would give it another shot if I go to Vegas again at the end of June. Sounds like something that I need to do for sure!

 

wake up my airplane, wake up my airplane...

 

Where in the hell are the cup holders in those cars... million dollars for a car and they can't spend $42.50 for some plastic cupholders.

 

Wow, that looks like a lot of fun!!

Checking into it now.

 

nice! im trying to convince my gf to get me this for my bday

 

Wow! I need to experience this sometime!

 

If I find myself in Vegas I am soo going to do this.

 

Is that a kill switch in front of the arm rest? Assuming, since both cars shown have them.

 

Nope, no kill switch on these cars. That was for the recording for either purchase &/or insurance reasons. They put a thumb drive in the car to record the session.

 

Awesome! I want to do this the next time I go out!

 

Do it!

My only recommendation, is to pick just one car and do as many laps as you can afford. At 5 laps you're just starting to feel comfortable with the car and the track. It's after 5 when you really start pushing it and seeing what it can do.

I really need to look into auto crossing, and other track days in my area.

 

Ferrari > than Lambo....I'm shocked!!!!!

 

I'll try to keep my review short and to the point. First off, as you can imagine, I was pretty stoked to get back out to Vegas and give this a go. Other than handful of P-cars and a few NSX's on the street, this was my first experience on a real track with this much power. Wow, what a way a bust my supercar cherry. Thrilling would be an understatement.

After a 30 minute class session and overview, we mulled around for a discover lap in the Cayenne. There were at least 80 other drivers in our session so it was a bit of a wait to get the call to the cars (they had about 15 on hand), but once underway it went pretty quickly.


[IMG]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21583867@N04/5858188487/" title="DSC00213 by jdubb2u, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5309/5858188487_576939faab.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00213"></a>[/IMG]

First up was the Superleggera:

Cramped. Wearing a helmet was not comfortable and it was difficult to rotate my head without banging on the headliner. I don't care how many laps you've done on the ring on your PS3, or if you are the neighborhood kart champ. There is no comparison to the visceral roar and the feel of 'greasy' tires at their limits. To be honest, I was a bit embarrassed with my performance, but in my defense it was a very hot day out (103) and my hands were sweating profusely so I was worried about my grip too much in the tight turns. Before I could blink, my five laps were over.


[IMG]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21583867@N04/5858727818/" title="DSC00219 by jdubb2u, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/5858727818_e4eb98d451.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00219"></a>[/IMG]

Next up, the R8 R-tronic V8:

A letdown. I really wanted to like this car because it is the one I can see myself actually owning, but man, after coming off the powerful lambo, the R8 felt like a dog. I disliked the dainty paddle shifters and they were too close to the other signal stalks, so I found myself sometimes fumbling for them. The R-tronic was sluggish to shift in comparison too. More headroom and a very nice cockpit but I came away disappointed.


[IMG]<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21583867@N04/5858759276/" title="DSC00210 by jdubb2u, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5116/5858759276_510d911b7f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC00210"></a>[/IMG]

^^ Nothing says 'ready to hit the track' than my boy's D&G loafers.

Lastly, the F430 Scuderia:

We were supposed to drive the Italia, but the transmission conked out on the only one they had earlier in the morning. Our consolation was an extra lap in the Scud. My best instructor was in this one and he was so cool he actually let me have 7 laps. By this time I was getting comfortable with the track and was really stomping on the loud pedal with gusto, got the rear to break free a few times but the ESC brought her right back in line (forgot to look, but the Manettino dial was prob in the most conservative setting). It sounds funny to say, I was initially bummed to 'settle' for the Scud, but it was blast. That Ferrari wail behind my ears was worth the price of admission alone.


In summary:

YOU MUST DO THIS. I would echo Pete's comments about five laps not being enough. Next time I would just pick two cars and do 10 laps in each, but the first time out, sampling a few cars made sense for me. They said a Mclaren mp4-12c was on order, so next time it will have to be that and the Italia for me.

In a weird way, driving these subtracts from the supercar mystique. Part of the reason you lust for one is that they are, like a supermodel, unattainable. Driving them leaves you with the realization that if you actually had one in the garage at home, it would be like being married to Kate Beckinsale, but sleeping in separate beds -- they are pointless to own unless you can take them to the track.

Also, quickly realized my driving skills were nowhere close to the handling limits until I have a LOT more seat time on a track. But then it would be near impossible to reasonably insure for track time and there really isn't a public track near me that I would have the time for, then you have to truck to the course, worry about blemishes (to say the very least), your talking five gizzle in new tires/maintenance each trip day blah~blah. In the end, owing one is an emotional decision, not a rational one. I'm too rational which is why we have two Hondas.

 

Ferrari wins out again...eh?

 

I'm doing this tomorrow morning...my time is limited, so I'm only driving the 458 Italia for 5 laps....looking forward tomorrow!

 

Thanks for sharing the experience! Sounds like a blast!

 

By the look of all the reviews, it looks like you made the right choice going with the Ferrari

Post pics and review!

 

So - I did it.

Got there Thursday (6/30) for the 8:30 am event. It wasn't too crowded, there were maybe a dozen of us. We spent about 20 minutes with the first representative telling us what to expect, and then he instroduced us to an instructor that spent a little time telling us about the track and how to attack the turns. We were on a different part of LVMS because there was a rave there a few days prior and they are still trying to clean up, so the oval that Pete probably went on was unavailable to us. The track we were on had a bunch more turns, and was slightly longer than the other track. I'll also guess that because we were on this other track, the cars were all under canopies instead of the garage in the pics above.

So We did the discovery lap in the Cayenne, then went to get our helmets and wait for my turn in the 458. When it was my turn I hopped in, got myself acclimated and was off. I was instructed to keep her at 6k RPM max, which is what I did for the most part (I hit 7 grand a few times). You're so caught up in paying attention to the track, you don't even notice how fast you're going, mostly because the tach is directly in front of you, and that's all you're watching on the dash to make sure to shift at the right time. All I know is I was in 5th gear and hitting 6000 before pounding the brakes to scrub off the speed really quick...One note about that...I never drove a car with carbon ceramic brakes. They definitely take a bit of getting used to. It's a lot more of a firm pedal, and it requires a stronger leg to really squeeze the binders - not something I'm used to - and also leading me to take some of the turns a little hot because I was till getting adjusted to the car's dynamics and limits to know how to drive it the best. The 5 laps I did in the Italia wasn't enough. I expected to do a little better, but it's all happening so fast, I was a little tardy in the turns, not quite stopping hard enough, not quite hitting the apex like I should. There was one turn in particular where you're going wide, hit the apex, wide, apex, wide, and I kept staying too close to the corner and not going wide on the last turn. Something I needed to get used to and probably attack better with more time behind the wheel. Oh well. Overall it was a great experience, though I wished I had a little more track time. It's not exactly cheap, and I did add on a few other things to my event, a video of my time driving/being driven in the cars, and I did a ride along with the professional driver in the 911 GT3 RS. That GT3 RS is ridiculous. I was told that they go through between 2-3 sets of tires per day on that car . I wish I had the option to drive that, as it was the only true manual there. I was definitely vocal to them about how much more I enjoy a manual over these computer controlled transmissions, even if they shift quicker than a human, there's no substitue for the raw feel of being directly involved in every aspect of the driving experience. I'll post up the 2 videos as soon as I can get them uploaded.

Overall a great experience, I would definitely do it again, but probably in a lower priced car so I can capitalize on longer track time in a car that may not be as fast, but just as fun if not more.

Overall,

Pics:

Entrance


Some of the cars







- I have to adjust the pics in PS because they didn't come out as straight as I wanted it to look




And some cars running around the track:





Video of the drive - first few minutes is the ride along, the rest is me driving. My driving skills here are a little embarassing, but once again, more time in this car and the track would surely improve on that..
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_eWrM5z83F4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Here's the other video I shot with my phone of the cars going around the track:
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0eg9sLi0Dsw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Eddie that's awesome! I'm jealous!

 

I just watched the video of my driving to see how fast I was going around the track, I got 1.27, 1.25, 1.23, 1.21. 4 laps...And I paid for 5 I think that they considered the cool off lap as a real lap. Interesting. Annoying. Oh well. What do you think?

 

Almost forgot the GT3 RS...

 

Nice vid!!

Looks like fun!

 

Actually, liked the Superlegg more than thought I would before driving it since I've always fancied the prancing horse more.

In hindsight, don't want to sound like I was bagging the R8 too much. If I had ONLY driven the R8, am sure it would have been thrilling experience, but it just so happened that I got into it AFTER the Lambo which felt like a big let down.

Envious of the guys who got seat time in the Italia, can't wait to get back out there to do it again.