Van Horssen Group » 2007

Driving tours are coming to LA!

On Saturday, August 11th we’ll make the drive from Phoenix to LA a lot more fun by taking as many backroads as we can. Most likely coming into the city on the famous Ortega Highway 74.

On Sunday, August 12th we’ll do a Day Drive around LA. There are many route options available, and this will depend mostly on who is attending.

For each of these drives there are significant incentives to participate. There may also be opportunities to help move cars from LA to Monterey.

Membership has its privileges…and recently that meant being among the first to view some impressive wheeled machines.

Before going through the Barrett-Jackson auction, one of the most significant Cobra’s in history was idling among Van Horssen Group’s Private Collection.  Members and friends had the opportunity to get a first hand look at the car and have questions answered by Harley Cluxton IV who assisted in the acquisition and restoration of the car.  A few days later, this car sold for $5.5 million, the highest price paid for an American car at a public auction.

Four wheeled vehicles are our main focus, but two wheeled machines come in a close second.  Because of this, Van Horssen Group was proud to host Ducati of Scottsdale’s unveiling of the Ducati 1098 motorcycle.  Hangar One was adorned with numerous Italian motorbikes, as well as a Ferrari and Lamborghini, saving the exquisite Red Room for the lone 1098 perched high in the middle of the room.  Guests of Ducati of Scottsdale and Van Horssen Group listened to an introduction of the motorcycle before the veil was lifted, revealing the current state of the art in motorcycles.

How much fun are speed cameras, minivans and traffic lights when you really want to enjoy your supercar?  Not much.  That’s where Van Horssen Group’s Performance Driving Experiences come in, giving members and others the perfect environment to truly experience and enjoy cars of this caliber.
 
Our next Performance Driving Experience will be held on May 18th at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Arizona.  This will be a casual lapping session where participants have the chance to drive a variety of high performance vehicles on a private track.  Professional driving instructors will be on hand to give one on one advice and instruction.  This is a rare opportunity to get extensive seat time in numerous supercars, get personalized instruction and have a great time with fellow enthusiasts.
 
Supercars are fun, but karting captures the essence of speed and competition.  In conjunction with The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, we will be organizing an Ultimate Shifter Kart Course on April 28th.  The CRG Shifter Karts have performance capabilities that approach Formula One cars: 0-60mph in just over 3 seconds and cornering forces of up to 2.5g.  Or, for some true wheel to wheel competitive racing fun, join us on May 26th for Bondurant’s ProKart Grand Prix.  See how good your driving skills really are as you compete for the first place prize of a free day in the car of your choice from the Van Horssen Group Private Collection.

The "Baby" Aston is going topless and Van Horssen Group members will be among the first to drive this sleek machine.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster is the convertible version of the highly successful V8 Vantage.  The Vantage coupe comes across as a strong, solid and quick sportscar while the new roadster has a smooth sultry elegance, yearning to be driven on country roads in the height of summer.  Perhaps the coolest bit is how the top is stowed beneath its hard tonneau cover leaving two "speed humps" that match the cars interior color and contribute to the visual interest of the rear deck.

The Vantage Roadster shares the same foundation as the coupe, a snarly V8 providing 380bhp which propels it to 60mph in 4.9 seconds and hits its limit at a sensible 175mph.  Van Horssen Group’s roadster will come with the six-speed Graziano manual, dressed in a Titanium silver exterior and Cream leather interior.

Van Horssen Group members will have access to the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster early this summer.  Other cars on the horizon include a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster and a Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano.

No, the Gallardo does not have a tow package option.  But supercars and fly fishing are a perfect fit.

Imagine driving an Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari and Porsche through Yellowstone and the spectacular countryside of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, the setting for Van Horssen Group’s third annual Fish & Drive Tour.  This tour gives a lucky few the chance to experience numerous world class fishing destinations while adding the incomparable sensation of driving incredible cars on a long straight flats, tight mountain twisties and smooth sweepers.

The Henry’s Fork of the Snake River is said to be one of the greatest fishing destinations in the world. Along with the Bighorn River, which has some of the highest numbers of trout per mile, and the waters around Cody, Wyoming, this tour will take you through the heart of America’s best fly fishing.  Our experienced, professional guides know the waters like nobody else and will take you to the fish.  Specific fishing spots can be arranged for all types of skill levels.

Henry’s Fork Lodge, listed in the book "1000 Places to See before You Die," will be just one of the memorable lodges in which we stay.  The Bighorn River Resort serves up great views of "Big Sky Country" and a hospitality that make memories of the West linger.  And the Chamberlin Inn in Cody offers a Western comfort that Hemingway himself enjoyed.

Incredible fishing is the heart of this trip, but the extras make it unforgettable.  From distinctive luxury accommodations and delicious food to charismatic yet professional guides and support staff, each participant will find their needs met and their expectations exceeded.  For those that would rather not fish, there are a variety of other activities and destinations that can be arranged so everyone enjoys the ride.  This is a great opportunity for a group of friends or a parent/child team to experience the Rockies like never before.

The dust is still settling, but we would like to invite you to visit Van Horssen Group’s new headquarters. Please feel free to stop by this Tuesday, March 13th from 4pm - 7pm. The address of our new headquarters is 14825 N. 82nd Street, Suite A, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. The building is located on 82nd street just north of Raintree Drive. For a map of the location, click here.

Cars, including the new Porsche GT3, will be on display and we will discuss the improvement plans for the facility. Light refreshments will be served as well. Family and friends welcome!

There’s no need to RSVP, but if you have any questions or comments give us a call on our new number 480.850.5999 or send an email.

The long awaited Porsche GT3 has arrived! A Carrara White with full black leather and alcantara inserts, this is one Porsche the doesn’t go by unnoticed.

Seemingly similar to the 911 Turbo, the GT3 is a very different car. Both cars have a top speed of 193mph but the GT3 gets there with just 415 horsepower compared to the Turbo’s 480. And though the Turbo reaches 60mph 0.2 seconds faster than the GT3, the nimble GT3 will navigate a tight track much quicker.

Take advantage of one of the greatest benefits of being a member of Van Horssen Group and compare these two incredible cars yourself!

The auction season is not over!  An up and coming auction company, Classic Carriages, has organized another collecter car auction taking place this week, March 14th - 18th at the University of Phoenix Stadium. 

Van Horssen Group, in conjunction with Anthem Motors, will be a part of the event and all members and guests are invited to stop by.  VIP passes can be arranged for those interested.

Champ Cars will be screaming through the streets of Vegas, along with a ton of other exciting events going on April 5th - 8th, and we’ve got exclusive VIP passes.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is a three-day festival of speed and entertainment that will encircle the heart of downtown Las Vegas. The weekend will also include a historic grand prix, rock concerts, a celebrity poker tournament, Easter services, an impressive Easter egg hunt and culminate in the internationally televised 2007 series opener for the Champ Car World Series.

Van Horssen Group members, along with select other VIPs will have the priviledge of attending the Grand Prix Gala at the Bellagio featuring Jon Bon Jovi and Jay Leno as well as numerous other celebrities and entertainment.  

Special packages for use of cars from The Private Collection for the event can be arranged.  If you would like to learn more about the event, please call Scott Harrington at 480.544.1986 or send an email.  The Phoenix Grand Prix will be held December 2nd, 2007; stay tuned for more information on that event.

We’re growing and we’ve moved!  The address of our new headquarters is 14825 N. 82nd Street, Suite A, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.  The building is located just north of Raintree Drive on 82nd Street.  For a map of the location, click here.

Although Scottsdale Hangar One was a very special place, we’ve outgrown its capacity and are looking forward to creating a space that works much better for our members and our purposes.  We will be doing considerable improvements to the building to create a unique and comfortable member lounge as well as a functional display, storage and operations area.  

In addition to a new building, we have added a new person to the team.  Tammi Erdman has joined Van Horssen Group as Director of Administrative Services and will manage all reservations and scheduling of cars.  To reserve a car or for any questions about using them, please call her at 480.600.7959 or send her an email (tee@vanhorssengroup.com).