World Class Driving Experience!!!
 

Ok, first things first. This post contains descriptions of events that the conservative, law-abiding, citizens here may find upsetting and I don't care to get a verbal flailing over my actions. That said, forgive me father for I have sinned...

I noticed the advertisement for WCD in the back of Car and Driver and was instantly intrigued. Drive a Ferrari, Lamborghini, and several other dream cars for $800, that's a no-brainer. My friend and I signed up for the event in Tampa right away.

The event started at the Radisson in Tampa at 7:00 am with a briefing and by 7:30 we were in the cars and ready to go. At first, as I reviewed the day's agenda, I was bothered that they had my friend and I driving at different times. That was, however, until they informed us that other drivers could ride with us. (You can bring a passenger, but it's $250. As a paying driver, there is no additional charge to ride) This turned out perfectly. This way I got to drive and ride in every car. No waiting time like the single drivers, just out of one car and in to the next all day long.

I drove the Bentley Continental GT first, while my friend rode anxiously in the passenger seat. All 6 cars followed the pace car and aside from a few tests of the cars handling, braking, and acceleration the first run (30 miles) was reasonably slow and uneventful. (Of course, that's compared to the rest of the day.)

We moved to the Porsche Carrera S (6 spd with the sport chrono package) next. My friend was driving now and a few miles into the route he decided to jump out of line and race in and out of traffic passing everyone except the pace car. I thought for sure we were going to at least get a warning, but surprisingly, they didn't say a word as we changed cars.

I moved into the Corvette Z06 next (6 spd as well) and based on our experience in the Porsche, I decided to push the envelope a little farther and really stretch the Z06's legs. A few controlled fishtails and a few runs to 100+ mph later, I thought for sure I would get a spanking...Nope not a word. By now, the other drivers were starting to catch on and started to get a little more aggressive too.
Surprisingly, even with a 0 - 60 time of 3.5 secs, this car did not feel like the fastest. No offense America, I love my country, but we don't have cars figured out like the Germans and Italians. It's not a magazine editor bias, it's true. The Vette was a blast and performed excellently in every way, but not quite a confidence inspiring direct link to my brain like some of the others.

The Aston Martin (DB9 Convertible) was next, which had an absolutely exquisite interior and beast of an engine, but the brakes and handling (comparatively) left something to be desired. Don't get me wrong, an amazing machine and one of the sexiest vehicles I've ever seen, but it still ranked lowest of the day on my list.

My turn at the Porsche, which believe it or not, is more fun to drive than the 2003 Porsche Turbo (my friend's) that we drove to the event. He is in all honesty considering trading his Turbo in for a new Carrera S. It doesn't have the rocketship acceleration of his Turbo, but felt more linear and responsive in it's handling and braking. This car was the most fun to drive save the Ferrari and Lambo and I will soon be in the market for one.

To be cont...

The Lambo was next for me. WOW!!!... I mean WOW. There is no need for a radio in this car. A harmonious 10 cylinder orchestra plays the most wonderful notes at all speeds. When you hit the paddle shifter to downshift, the engine automatically blips the throttle, and oh what a blip it is... Did I mention that you don't need a radio? Anyhow, to really get things going I decided to play hard. I came around a corner in a slide (yes you can slide an AWD Lambo even with the traction contol on) into the best straightaway in the route and didn't back down until we hit 135. This caused quite a stir when we got back, not with the event holders who said nothing, but with the other drivers who ran up to us and excitedly described the yellow blur (their words not mine) they saw as we blew past them. They were doing 90 mind you, but our blast held the record for the rest of the day. The brakes are excellent and quickly and easily calm things down. Oh, I probably I exaggerrated by calling it a slide too, more like controlled oversteer, but fun nonetheless. I could go on and on about this car, but it's time to move on.

I have to run for a little bit, but I'll be back to tell you about the Ferrari.

More pics

Any F430's?

Yes, the F430 was the best car by far. The one I drove (there was only one at the event) was red with the F1 transmission. The Ferrari likes to be driven hard, and only hard. Idling (sp?) around the parking lot or backing into a parking space can be tricky as the car wants to stall and you don't have a clutch pedal to feather. I think everyone who drove it stalled it at least once which I would never had expected. Anyway, once you get it out of the parking lot, it's entire demeanor changes. The car was set to "Race" on the steering wheel dial with the only more aggressive option being "CST off" and I don't quite trust my driving skills that much. The transmission shifts up and down instantly unlike any of the other cars including the Lambo. The ceramic brakes grab and never seem to fade. The acceleration, though technically slower than the Z06, feels faster and certainly sounds better, at least to me. Maybe just because it's a Ferrari.

The only time we got in trouble was when my friend put the Ferrari completely sideways. He straightened it out, but the pace car came to a complete stop and when we got back, the pace car driver said in his European accent, "when you accelerate in the Ferrari, make sure the wheels are straight". It was enough to let us know we had gone too far and we toned it down after that. I still got to slide the Ferrari around a little later, but nothing to that extreme. I was also able to run it up to 120, and he never said a word.

Anyhow, I could go on, but I've probably already gone too long. If anyone wants to know more about the cars or the program, let me know. I would highly recommend you try it out. If you do, I also highly recommend you bring a friend to drive and ride. In our case, the passenger held the video camera for the other person so we can relive it again later. Players, the company that runs the program, was truly great to us. The experience was worth every penny and more.

www.wcdriving.com:thumbup:

Pics of the F430

nice writeup!:thumbup:

Wpcmac,
Fine, I mean FineAzz rides and Titz Pics!

Certainly looks like it was worth a G for a day
driving those beauties! :thumbup:
BR,mD

Wow!!!!!! That's all that needs to be said :)

:withstupi