Just wanted to give a quick review of the Lexus Performance Driving Academy, as I attended yesterday at California Speedway in Fontana!
First of all, the food wasn't really up to par for a lexus event. My drive time was at 8AM (for cooler air, + didn't want to spend the whole day up there). But, it was still decent
Part 1: Class. - This was a 30 min. class about the science of driving on a track with explinations about how to corner on the apex, braking and power handling, safety, etc.
Part 2: Course Driving - SOLO. They put us in a variety of different lexus performance vehicles from IS's, to GS's to GS Hybrids (actually a performance car) through a timed track which included a slalom, two 90 degree turns, a bus stop, brake box etc. The track was radar timed, and times were posted. My best was a 25'8" run in the IS. They deducted 2 seconds if you hit a cone, or didn't make it into the brake box. As the tires started to heat up as the day wore on, it became more and more difficult to make the car stop in that brake box
. There was a play-by play announcer to keep things exciting!Part 3: Professional Follow - we all then went over to a larger course and Got into IS-Fs where we followed an instructor through a more difficult longer course. Several pin turns (figure 8). It was fun to be in that 427hp IS-F but I was hoping to get the speed up a little higher, but the last person in our group was slow. The instructor was able to communicate with us via a headset radio hooked up to the car's audio.
Part 4: Hot Laps. They then put us in the car with a professional driving instructor, who took us through the laps at about 110-120. That was a blast.
Overall I would say it was a very good event. Lasted about 3.5 hours. I could have paid like $200 for an additional 2.5 but, I think I got my money's worth since it was a free promo for Lexus owners and those in the 'know'
. We got some nifty free gifts on the way out too.Those interested in the IS-F checkout
http://www.isftracktime.com
