New Ferrari 430 Added to the Collection
Hands down, everyone finds the Ferrari F430 Spider an incredible car to drive. That’s why we’ve added another!
The deep black exterior makes the Challenge wheels, Scuderia shields and red brake calibers pop like no other. The black leather interior with gray piping and carbon fiber accents envelop the driver in a cabin that exudes speed and sophistication.
If you haven’t driven the F430 yet, you are missing out on one of the greatest cars available today. If you’ve driven the Silverstone/Red Ferrari, now you have another one to choose!
Another small note, literally, is the addition of one of the first Smart cars. Yellow with silver accents and a convertible top, this car gets as many smiles as the yellow Lamborghini. And this is not your basic Smart, this car has custom yellow leather interior matching the body color, carbon fiber overlay throughout the dash and other options that make it one of the coolest Smarts out there.
Be happy that in this car you are very unlikely to get any speeding tickets. Enjoy the economy of a gas sipper and relish a car that can park where others can’t. It really is fun to drive and worth a try!
Currently we are working to add the Audi R8 and another Gallardo Spyder. We also have the opportunity to get one of the first 2008 Dodge Challengers. If you like this car and would use it, please let us know. As always, any comments about new cars are most welcome.
Andy Lee & The Volkswagen TDI Cup
Van Horssen Group is proud to be a sponsor of an up and coming driver, Andy Lee. He is among the few to get the chance to race in Volkswagen’s TDI Cup Series. We will be following Andy’s progress throughout the series in this blog.
In April Bondurant Superkart instructor Andy Lee was invited to a try out for the inaugural year of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Series. The Jetta TDI race car features the all new, high-tech 2.0-liter four cylinder TDI Clean Diesel engine mated to a DSG transmission. The fastest shifting transmission in the world. A winning combination for the Jetta TDI Cup drivers. The Jetta TDI Cup is the first and only clean diesel racing series in the world. And the first one to be declared Carbon Free by Carbonfund.org.
A Hundred drivers were invited to Firebird Raceway in Chandler Arizona to compete against one another for a chance to run in the inaugural season for the TDI Cup. Only 30 drivers would make the cut at the end of a grueling 3-days. The drivers were tested in physical fitness, media relations, professionalism, and of course driving skill. At the end of the tryouts Andy Lee had proved to be very fast setting Fast times for most of the tryouts and was selected to run the 8 race series which will air on SPEED CHANNEL later this year.
Race number one took place at Virginia International Raceway and was a super intense race from beginning to end with positions being swapped continuously. During this race Andy Lee struggled with a left rear shock issue which left the car incredibly loose and very tough to drive. Despite the problems Andy would go on to finish 13th out of 30.
Race number two took place at Mosport International Raceway. Several drivers were penalized by the SCCA for ignoring a yellow flag in race one at VIR. As a result of the penalties Andy was forced to start 19th for the race even though he was running well inside the top ten during Qualifying. At the Drop of the green flag Andy immediately started picking drivers off. Setting lap times that were 2 seconds faster than the leader Andy moved up to 7th place by the 11th lap when the race was ended early due to heavy rain.
After two races Andy sits in 10th position in points with six races to go. To keep up on Andy’s progress go to www.vwmotorsportusa.com.
Upcoming races
Aug 15-17 Lime Rock Park NASCAR Camping World Series
Sept. 19-20 Iowa Speedway USAR Hooters Pro Cup
Sept. 27-28 New Jersey Motorsports Park* SPEED World Challenge/ARCA
Oct. 1-3 Road Atlanta ALMS / SPEED World Challenge
Audi R8 and Nissan GT-R Coming Soon
Two new cars from Audi and Nissan have shaken the establishment and are said to be as good or better than their rivals from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche.
The first R8s have hit the streets yet they are still a very rare sight. Not surprising considering there are few who stepped up to pay the $50,000 premium over MSRP to get them. Luckily, members of Van Horssen Group don’t have to deal with premiums or waiting lists and will have the opportunity to see for themselves how this car really stacks up. The car will be available in late April.
Another car that according to Road & Track "spanks" the Porsche Turbo and Corvette Z06 will be in the Van Horssen Group collection early this summer. The Nissan GT-R is bound to be one of the most exciting cars of 2008. Again, instead of paying premiums or trusting your dealer that you are "number three" on the waiting list, join Van Horssen Group and drive it!
Support Andy Lee
For those of you who have not participated in our Trackdays or Karting Series, you may not have met Andy Lee, one of our best driving instructors. He has secured an incredible opportunity to race in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup!
Out of 100 entrants the top 30 were selected on criteria such as smooth car control, consistent lap times, physical fitness, interview presentation and of course quickness around the track. VW tested the drivers and is forming one of the most competitive groups of drivers in a “spec” sedan series. Andy is setting times that are consistently ½ second faster than the next fastest car. The cars look awesome and Volkswagen is doing a first class job.
Andy has been a key part of Van Horssen Group’s Trackdays and Karting Series, providing much appreciated driving instruction. He has been pursuing a career in racing since ???? and has come a long way for a long time now, doing so with extreme dedication, hard work and very little support. He made the cut with VW and this could be his big break, but now he must raise part of the costs to run in the program.
Van Horssen Group in the News
We were proud to be a part of Fox News on November 29th. They too thought the Van Horssen Group concept of enabling people to experience a variety of cars without the cost and hassles of ownership was pretty cool.
Check out the Fox News segment
Maserati Quattroporte Added to the Collection
When big, bulky German sedans stray too far from an exhilarating driving experience, there is one car that blends sophisticated four door comfort with Italian style and performance - the Maserati Quattroporte. This impressive car is the newest addition to the Private Collection and is now ready to enjoy!
The Quattroporte is Maserati’s flagship saloon and a fine handcrafted blend of a comfortable, spacious, luxury sedan with the nimble dynamic handling of thoroughbred GT. This particular car is the Sport GT version which further enhances its performance characteristics with a re-tuned gearbox, 20" light alloy wheels and an aggressive black mesh front grill.
The exterior color is a deep Grigio (silver); the interior is black leather with white piping and Alcantara headlining. The engine is a Ferrari derived 4.2 liter V8 producing 400 bhp.
Club Event ProKart Grand Prix
For all those times you saw professional racers and wanted to feel for yourself the adrenaline rush and excitement of competitive wheel to wheel racing, you should join us at the Bondurant School on Thursday, December 13th for one of their most popular programs, the ProKart Grand Prix.
Utilizing their Briggs & Stratton ProKarts capable of 50mph, this is the ultimate individual driver’s challenge and a great time with friends. First place gets a free day in any car from the Van Horssen Group Private Collection! Prizes will be awarded to 2nd, 3rd and last too.
The race will be held from 7pm to 9pm. Bring your friends, colleagues or family!
Maserati GranTurismo and Ason Martin Vantage
Van Horssen Group is pleased to get an early delivery of two highly anticipated and exclusive new cars.
Aston Martin’s more potent Vantage, dubbed the N400, is intended to be much more of an enthusiast’s car. The power is upgraded to 400 bhp with peak torque at 310 lb-ft. The N400 also comes with a modified sport pack offering superior performance and handling.
The new Maserati GranTurismo is taking design beauty to new heights. The car exudes elegance yet seems ready to race with some very aggressive styling cues. We’re not sure whether it is comfortable or fast, but we are sure we are getting one and can’t wait to drive it.
Driving MBA Open House
Van Horssen Group is pleased to support Driving MBA, a company based in Arizona that is leading the way in driver education through the use of the most technologically advanced driving simulators.
Driving MBA will be hosting the Grand Opening of their new store in Chandler on November 3rd. Several cars from the Van Horssen Group Private Collection will be there on display. Come check out these incredible simulators and see how their program works!
Driving MBA’s advanced automobile driving simulators and expert instructors promote safe driving by developing good habits, better decision-making skills and the capacity to drive responsibly all in a no risk environment. Participants are able to experience and learn to prevent dangerous situations like adverse conditions or irregularities from other drivers.
Having fun with cool cars is what Van Horssen Group is all about, but doing it safely and knowledgeably is essential. Many of Driving MBA’s programs are an effective way to learn or practice driving skills. Van Horssen Group and Driving MBA will be working together in the near future to develop exciting programs involving stick shift training and practice.
Ferrari F430 Spider & Rolls-Royce Phantom
The much anticipated Ferrari F430 Spider has arrived! And at the same time the one other car that cannot help but make an impression, the Rolls-Royce Phantom.
The F430 has garnered so much praise since its release that it is hard to believe a car could be that good. After driving it…it is that good. Stunningly beautiful, shockingly quick and perfect in all the right places. If you are interested in driving it visit our club membership page.
Similarly elegant and exclusive, the Rolls-Royce Phantom commands attention by different means. Stately, luxurious and over-the-top, this car is the king of sedans and its passengers will feel like royalty. The car is available to members to drive themselves or a chauffeur can be provided upon request.
Both cars, as well as others from Van Horssen Group Private Collection will be on display this Thursday, October 4th from 5pm - 8pm at Jilly’s American Grill in the Scottsdale Airpark. Stop by and check them out! Directions here.