Van Horssen Group » General

Originally posted on the Autoweek website on August 27th 2008

It used to be that you had two choices when it came to mega-powered supercars: you could buy one and try to keep it running better than your marriage, or you could look at pictures of supercars in car magazines. Now things are different–now you can look at pictures of supercars on the Internet!

Ha ha, just kidding.

There are a handful of organizations that put you into supercars for what might be considered, in a bizarre use of the word "reasonable," a reasonable amount of money. Your stock portfolio may be careening toward worthlessness, but you don’t have to give up the best things in life. Here are some suggestions for maintaining the lifestyle to which you are accustomed.

WORLD CLASS DRIVING

Short of renting several exotic cars and driving them over several days–or short of stealing them–this is a reasonably inexpensive way to spend a day behind the wheel of such supercar lust objects as the Ferrari F430, Ford GT, Lamborghini Gallardo, Callaway Corvette, Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Spyker C8. You also get to hang out with sports-car ace Didier Theys, Le Mans pilot and Daytona and Sebring winner, and a cool guy.

"World Class Driving offers auto enthusiasts the rare chance to experience a wide range of the most dynamic new supercars available today in a luxurious driving package that would be almost impossible to personally arrange," said Theys, the chief driving instructor.

WCD has been in business in Europe for more than 10 years, according to Jean Paul Libert, the 13-time Le Mans driver who owns the company with Scotsman Alan Ray and some investors. It has operated in the United States since 2006 and will host its 4,000th customer here sometime this year. There are 38 World Class locations across the country.

"For half a day, you will feel like you own the car," said Libert.

For half a day, we felt like we owned a fleet. Over the course of about four hours, we drove all the cars mentioned above over some of the best roads in southern California. To the supercar luster, this may seem like you’ve died and gone to heaven.

However, heaven likely wouldn’t involve a lead-follow format that had us crawling along sometimes as slow as 20 mph behind the Chrysler 300C driven by Theys. Yes, six of us followed a Chrysler 300C. So don’t look at this as a track day.

Even at such slow speeds, WCD still has to filter out the knuckleheads. Your driving record will be screened and your insurance verified. There is a $5,000 deductible on the insurance, too, which helps drivers keep it all in perspective.

Still, participants did get to drive all the cars listed for half a day, so no one could really complain. And no one did. Everybody posed for pictures long after the supercars were lined up back at the hotel and everyone was very happy to get their hats, certificates and World Class Driving ersatz crystal paperweight.

WCD also offers multiday tours and a unique 200-mph Club. For more information, visit www.wcdriving.com.

You would have to win a couple of lotteries to do this almost any other way.

Except . . .

THE VAN HORSSEN GROUP

You join for $2,000, select your membership level for an additional $8,000 to $40,000, and then drive a fabulous selection of cars available in several cities across the Southwest. A fee for each rental is deducted from your $8,000 to $40,000 balance.

Cars include the Ferrari F430, Porsche GT3 and Turbo, Lamborghini Gallardo and a number of more practical vehicles such as the Maserati Quattroporte and Mercedes-Benz GL 550. There also are track days, driver-development programs, tours, vehicle storage, chauffeur services and other rich-guy things. What’s not to like?

The group has big plans for expansion beyond the L.A./Phoenix/Las Vegas triangle in which it now operates.

"If you look at hotels, there are lots of levels of service available," said chairman and chief executive officer Ronald Van Horssen. "But with cars, there’s nothing there. I think there’s a national market for that, and that’s what we’re doing."

The latest two races of the Volkwagen Jetta TDI Cup Series have been full of drama and triumph and such tight racing that the top position was almost never decided until the final lap.

Several weeks ago the TDI Cup made their first and only west coast stop on the 2008 schedule at Portland International Raceway.Following a solid finish at Mosport, Andy Lee was 10th in overall points and primed to improve his standings. Practice and Qualifying went well with Andyrunning top 10 lap times in both sessions and at some points as high as 3rd fastest. Qualifying was extremely tight with the top 20 drivers within a second. Andy would start 9th only 3 tenthsof a second off the poll time.

At the start of the race, drama wouldensue as Andy had some minor gearbox issues off the start and would lose a few positions. Once he got going things started to work in his favor as nearly every lap he was able to gain positions and soon found himself in 8th place behind the series points leader, David Jurca. Throughout the next few laps Jurca and Lee were able to work together to gain a few more positions and were now running 6th and 7th with the leaders in sight. With two laps to go the 2nd and 3rd place cars would get together and with tire smoke and dirt blinding the drivers behind them. Andy would barely get through the accident without contact and would gain a position putting him in 6th place with a lap to go. On the last lap Andy built a strong run on 5th place Chris Holeman,and as the two headed down the front straight side by side it appeared as though Andy would clinch the position but timing and scoring would show him in 6th position at the finish losing 5th by four thousands of a second. With yet another strong top ten finish Andy would move up to 5th in the points standings.

Two weeks after Portland the series would head back to the east coast to Lime Rock Raceway in Connecticut. During the first round of practice Andy Lee was 6th fastest and was looking forward to a good qualifying session. Unfortunately Andy and several other drivers had serious tire issues that forcedhim to pit and he would miss the rest of the session. Qualifying was once again very tight with the top 21 drivers within a second and because of the tire problem Andy would have to start 13th. Andy was still confident that he could finish well and gain more valuable points. On the start Andy was able to grab two positions right away and on the following lap Andy would break into the top ten with plenty of time to continue forward. Nearly every other lap Andy would gain another position and soon found himself in contention for 6th place. It looked like a top five finish was within grasp until a caution came out with only a handful of laps to go. Because of the caution the field grouped back up andthe last few laps would be very interesting. With two laps to go Andy was hit on the inside in turn one and knocked out of the race putting an end to a otherwise strong showing.

After the DNF Andy will slip down to 13th in points but not out of the championship by any means with four races left anything can happen. The next race will be at Iowa International Raceway on September 19ththru 21st.

For all other information on the series please visit vwmotorsportusa.com and stay tuned to Speed Channel since all races will air on Saturday afternoons starting around Thanksgiving.

Experiencing the full potential of cool cars and improving one’s skill as a driver is what Van Horssen Group Trackdays are all about.  We’ve got two exciting events coming up that are sure to thrill.

The Ariel Atom Experience is a rare chance to get behind the wheel of one of the best trackcars out today.  On October 30th, 2008, Van Horssen Group members will have the chance to participate in this exhilarating program.  Members can take advantage of the group discount rate!

If driving cars like the Porsche GT3, Ferrari F430 or Lamborghini Gallardo is more your style, don’t miss Van Horssen Group’s next Trackday on May 3rd.  These are very exclusive one on one training sessions in some of the most exciting sports cars available.

Space is limited in both events.  To learn more call 888.287.6149 or send an email.

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.

I’ve been a member of Van Horssen Group for one year now and truly enjoy the club. I looked around at many options when it came to car clubs but ultimately chose VHG for the selection of cars and the convenience. In my first year, I’ve driven the Aston Martin DB9, Bentley Flying Spur, Lamborghini Gallardo, Ford GT, JCW GP Mini and the Ferrari F430. I’m impressed with the convenience and the top-of-the-line customer service by everyone at VHG. The scheduling of the cars is easy and flexible which is fantastic compared to other exotic rent-a-car companies. I look forward to participating in some of the group events and always look forward to the next car! It’s a great experience for anyone who is a car-guy and my wife and son love it too!

B. MacDonald
Van Horssen Group Member

We are often asked which car is our favorite and after much deliberation, digression and qualifications I usually say the Porsche GT3. But what about the Turbo? The performance stats of these two cars are almost identical and it is definitely right up there in my top 5. So how do two cars that look the same in person and on paper, drive so differently?

Much of how they differ can be summed up in a description of the big tachometer in action. When you get on the gas in the GT3, you watch the needle rise smoothly, and keep on rising…forever…all the way to 8400rpms while the engine screams notes of powerful naturally aspirated pleasure all the way up. The Turbo, on the other hand, when you punch the pedal you hesitate, that is until the revs hit about 3700rpm. At that point, you better drop your cell phone and latte because you will be at what was the horizon just seconds ago. Accompanying this time warp is a quick gasp, like someone’s last breath before a deep plunge. And unless you like to visit the Porsche service center often, you better keep a close eye on the needle as it will rocket into the red line almost right after you pressed the pedal.

There are a slew of other differences that make these cars different, but bottom line is they are both a blast to drive. One might be more enjoyed setting lap times on a road course, the other getting ahead of the pack in a sea of traffic. What do you say? GT3 or Turbo?

Scott Harrington
Director of Programs

Why drive a boring rental when you travel on business?  Call a luxury car rental club and pull up to your next meeting in a Lamborghini, reports Fortune’s Sue Zesiger Callaway.

Van Horssen Group was pleased to be one of two clubs featured in a recent article in Fortune Magazine.  For a link to the full article, click here.

El Presidente and I had a chance to go out to Phoenix International Raceway a couple of weeks ago and participate in a Richard Petty Driving experience. As some of you know I have come out of the closet and fully admitted that I am a full blown NASCAR fan. Actually it all started just last spring when I went to my first race at PIR. I had no idea that this excitement had been out there all my life. I am addicted. So, when I had a chance to go out to the Racetrack AND meet Richard Petty, I was ecstatic!

Van Horssen Group kindly set us up with passes to the exclusive opening PIR’s luxury lounge, the Octane Club. It was beautifully appointed. Prestigious NASCAR fans will be able to enjoy America’s #1 sport in the lap of luxury. Helicopter service will be available to and from the race, you will be able to sip the finest wines during the festivities, and party with celebrities in the aftermath of the event! Sounds good to me! If you would like to check out the club you can go to Phoenix International Raceway.

The most exciting part of the Experience for me was getting to ride in the NASCAR around the track at over 130 mph. OK to some of you “track guys” this wasn’t so fast, but to us novice car enthusiast it was a rush! To top it off, as we were leaving the track, the King himself was exiting his limo to check things out. He asked me if I was having a good time. I asked him had he noticed the smile on my face. He was genuinely glad to see that everyone in attendance was happy to be there! It was great fun!

For those of you that don’t know, the Checker Auto Parts 500 will be run at Phoenix International Raceway November 9-12. Get your tickets! See you there!

The First Lady
Van Horssen Group Member

About 50 miles southwest of Phoenix, cruising along highway 238 or dead cow highway as it is known because of the cows’ losing battle between a free range cattle area and big trucks, the speedo in the Ford GT starts acting up. At first it seemed like a minor glitch and popped back to what might have been our actual speed. Then it lost all hope of being called a gauge and danced erratically from 0 - 230mph, not even in time with the music as we were really hoping.

So started the road trip to California to attend the Coronado Speed Festival which took place October 5th - 8th, 2007. This event is an incredibly fun car weekend, featuring vintage car races with some seriously cool and expensive vintage cars and almost as cool and famous drivers. A whole lot of other car people come from all over making the parking lot and vendor area an impressive display of all types of cars and car stuff.

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With access to an array of great cars, we want to help members enjoy the myriad of events put on by local or national car clubs.  Participating in these club events is an excellent way to enjoy the cars and meet other enthusiasts.  You should consider cars from the Van Horssen Group as your own and use them as you like.  We’ll be offering varying incentives and adjustments to make participation even easier.

The major and most active car clubs are: Porsche Club, Ferrari Club, Lamborghini Club and Scottsdale Exotic Car Club.  Please let us know if there are any other clubs or events that you would like to be a part of.  Some upcoming fun events being organized by car clubs are:

• Cars & Coffee by Scottsdale Exotic Car Club - 8/25 at 9am in North Scottsdale.  This is a large but informal car show where a bunch of owners of exotics get together and talk cars over coffee.  Members are welcome to take cars free of charge if they are available.
• Route 66 Days Flagstaff Tour by Porsche Club - 9/7-9/9 in Northern Arizona.  Beat the heat and head for higher ground in September.  Join fellow PCA members for a weekend in the pines at their 2nd Annual Car Show & Autocross in Flagstaff.
• The Ventura Show by Porsche Club - 9/7-9/9 in Ventura, CA.  Hundreds of Porsches, all models and years.  Experience Seven Premier Events combined into one of the largest Porsche-only gatherings in the World.
• San Diego Meet by Lamborghini Club - 10/19-10/21 in San Diego.  Join other Lamborghini’s in San Diego for a weekend of events.