7-12-08 Lexus IS-F Test Drive Event

[carbongs]

What an awesome event this was!

From their website:



"Following on the Lexus IS F Performance Experience at Laguna Seca in California on 15 August 2007 and its later visit to Florida's Moroso Motorsports Park on 19 January 2008, Lexus has kicked it up to the next level and launched the Lexus Performance Driving Academy, highlighting the IS F performance sedan.

Lexus invites you to take the exceptional dynamic handling, power and performance of a Lexus -- and push it to the limit at a track near you. Enjoy a mix of acceleration and adrenaline as you master the art of high-performance competitive driving and sample a range of extraordinary Lexus performance sedans -- from the IS 350 to the blazing fast IS F. No traffic lights. No speed limits. No compromises."

Lexus really went all out on this event! I know BlackTi attended this the day before I did and got the full one on one pro attention. I decided to attend the free session. It worked out really well since we had a fairly small group. Got to do everything at least twice as many times as usual.

You first drive through Atlanta Motor Speedway under the track and into the infield.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00531.jpg

You are directed where to park next to the air conditioned arrival lobby/registration building. Once you do the paper work you are instructed to go into the room across the hall where there is a buffet of food, beverages, and games for you to take in.

This was a car on display inside.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00528.jpg

After a brief overview of what would happen we were sent out to the autocrossing field.

I got to autocross everything from a GS hybrid, IS250 with F package, IS350 with F package, GS 450, and a stock IS.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00529.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00530.jpg

Then it was time to do some Lead/Follow laps around the inner circle.

Helmets were a must! Some guy asked if he could wear his motorcycle helmet. The instructor proceeded to say, "no, sorry you'll have to wear ours, insurance is a bit**!" lol too funny!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00532.jpg

The instructors said that there are only roughly 2500 IS-F's out there and at these events alone there are more than 1% of them here for us to abuse!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00533.jpg

Lead/Follow is exactly what you would think. A professional driver drives an IS-F in front of a 5 car convoy. Each participant is handed the keys to an IS-F behind the lead car. We are instructed to "Stay as close as possible!"

Some of the interior pics I was able to take before we started.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00539.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00541.jpg

lol I had my game face on!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00540.jpg

The car I was in

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00542.jpg

Some shots around the mini track, speeds gotup to about 105 or so.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00534.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00535.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00537.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00538.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00545.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00547.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00549.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00550.jpg

Then we all got to pile into a car with a pro drive and do hot laps around the track! I got to ride with Jeff Andretti, Mario's son. It was kinda funny because when we got back to the corral he said, "Crap! I forgot to disengage the traction control, Let's go again!" lol

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00551.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00552.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/CarbonGS/7-12-08%20Lexus%20Performance%20Driving%20Academy/DSC00554.jpg

We all came back to fill out a survey where we got some free swag. I got a really nice IS-F hat and some crazy Lexus energy drink. Kaboom, I think that's what it is called.

All in all it was a great time and it was really fun! I will definitely be at the next local Lexus Performance hosted event!

[00CelicaGT]

how did u get this opportunity? looks like u had a blast, great shots

[Sol-Badguy]

Wow, that's nuts.

Looks like a lot of fun!

[tj1986c]

Sounds like you had a great time man!!

TJ

[ATK_Designs]

great coverage Tony. I had a blast too. It was fun and definitely unlike when they first intro the ISx50.

[carbongs]

yeah, it was partial invite and registration online

[Chuckster]

I can't beleive I missed this opportunity.

Oh man do I have some pics you will enjoy. One of our customers already put new suspension and custom 20's on an IS-F. The car is absolutly SICK!!! I will post pics asap.

[OTG Signs]

They definately look better NOT black. :D

[Chuckster]

The Blus is the sex on that car.

[Imadaman]

looks fun

[DieselNuts]

Yeah, it was a lot of fun. I was suppose to be in the 3:30 group but the put us in an earlier group. Some douchebag pretty much spoiled the fun for us in the individual IS-F runs because he was going slow as **** around the turns. We had to slow down and wait for him in the straights....fag...

[slostang]

cool man I'm jealous!!! my mom did was in the 8:30 group Saturday morning.

[JITB]

i need to get on the lexus forums more often...:(

[dz988]

damm cant belive i miss it :(

[sicivic89]

Yeah, I was there too. I was amazed at how fast they let us drive the IS-F. Two thumbs up for this event.

[UpSideDownDesi]

next there's event like this...please shoot me a PM please. Looks like y'all had fun.

[carbongs]

yeah space for this event filled up quick. but a lot of the people on the waiting list got confirmation that they had extra space the day of the event. a lot of those people couldn't make it out. i talked to one of the reps and they said that the groups were smaller than expected.

[Mike Lowrey]

Nice pics, Tony!

I was there too! Had a 10:00 am appointment time.

The IS-F was the sex! I skeeted all over the driver's seat.....hope they don't charge me for the cleaning bill..... :ninja:


I ended up running a time within 0.03 second of the pro's time on the autocross course, but slightly tagged a cone coming into the slalom.. :(

I came home and told the wife that I want an IS-F, and she laughed and said I was cut off from buying cars.... :no:

[Sammich]

me want IS foreally

[Cyclonehatch]

I was wondering whos Lotus that was out there when i was leaving.

[Reaper]

I'm kicking myself in the ass for not going to this!!

[carbongs]

Nice pics, Tony!

I was there too! Had a 10:00 am appointment time.

The IS-F was the sex! I skeeted all over the driver's seat.....hope they don't charge me for the cleaning bill..... :ninja:


I ended up running a time within 0.03 second of the pro's time on the autocross course, but slightly tagged a cone coming into the slalom.. :(

I came home and told the wife that I want an IS-F, and she laughed and said I was cut off from buying cars.... :no:

oh dayum, we just missed each other then! you coming to my grand opening?

http://www.importatlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180278&page=1


me want IS foreally

tell me bout it. they'll be really rare soon. only 2500 made


I was wondering whos Lotus that was out there when i was leaving.

dayum you were there too? should have called me!


I'm kicking myself in the ass for not going to this!!

yeah, there's always next time! :cheers:

[Mike Lowrey]

I was wondering whos Lotus that was out there when i was leaving.

twas me... :D

[Mike Lowrey]

oh dayum, we just missed each other then! you coming to my grand opening?

http://www.importatlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180278&page=1


I will try to make it. What class would I be? lol

[carbongs]

you would fit under import sport compact! word of advice! the car should be CLEAN!!!

[Terror]

man im jealous.....

[Mike Lowrey]

you would fit under import sport compact! word of advice! the car should be CLEAN!!!

So, what are you trying to say.....I should wash my car? lol

[carbongs]

lol yup!

[G.C]

think i know you carbongs. do you go to Emory?

[carbongs]

no sir, i graduated from AIU last september. i did however take a few classes there for credits. it was 2 years ago though when i did that.