Lexus LFA Driver Development Center program at Infineon (official)
I actually think the $3500 is a tremendous bargain. As I alluded to in the OP, we could go to either extreme for comparison, and either demonstrates the value of $3500. On one side, there's the typical introductory track instruction experience at a local, club-style racetrack which usually runs around $600 for a half-day experience in a car (Corvette, M3, etc.) not remotely as interesting as the LFA on a track not remotely as interesting as Infineon. On the other, you've got factory programs like Ferrari's owner track day instruction program which for the 2-day experience generally runs $20,000. The value of the sessions has made me consider signing up for multiple sessions - who knows, maybe they'll let me.
with that said, i would love to go, but still thinking about how to justify it
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 171
From: IL
I signed up for the 14th.
Here are some details
6 folks per day confirmed.
3 Pre-prod LFAs, the orginal black, a white and the yellow.
One on one driver education with an instructor from Jim Russell Racing School.
After breakfast you get an orientation, put on a track supplied helmet and go do the 0-60 thing.
Move to ISFs for cornering training (unknown if 2011s will be there).
Lapping in LFAs
Lunch
2 More sessions in the LFAs.
Here are some details
6 folks per day confirmed.
3 Pre-prod LFAs, the orginal black, a white and the yellow.
One on one driver education with an instructor from Jim Russell Racing School.
After breakfast you get an orientation, put on a track supplied helmet and go do the 0-60 thing.
Move to ISFs for cornering training (unknown if 2011s will be there).
Lapping in LFAs
Lunch
2 More sessions in the LFAs.
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 13,441
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From: Under an IS F since 2008
^^ That's some great details!!! 
So sounds like the re-painted now Orange one, the Pearl Yellow one and more than likely that white one that showed up in Canada last week..
Just stating in advance, this is my opinion..
Joe Z
So sounds like the re-painted now Orange one, the Pearl Yellow one and more than likely that white one that showed up in Canada last week..
Just stating in advance, this is my opinion..
Joe Z
awesome, great info. i have a question though, if there are 3 lfa but 6 people, that means 50% of the time in non-lfa vehicles (isf)? or are they saying 3 pre-prod lfa and 3 prod lfa?
if suddenly now it moves to 3500 bucks for half day with the lfa, that gets even more expensive
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,285
Likes: 43
From: NV
i never said the price for ferrari track day isn't insane either. i guess everything could be put into perspective and with that, for lfa owners 3500 definitely is close to nothing, and i honestly respect that. however, for most general public, even for driving enthusiasts, 3500 is quite a lot of money for a day at the track. now of course, granted, you will be driving the lfa, great car, and i am sure great experience. but to me it's tough to call it bargain
with that said, i would love to go, but still thinking about how to justify it
with that said, i would love to go, but still thinking about how to justify it
can't say i agree with that. that's just like saying 50% of the day you will be either resting or in classroom or driving another car. personally i would think it makes sense to have 1 to 1 ratio on driver vs lfa. you learn in lfa, you practice in lfa. when i went to m school, it's nothing but m. over the whole day, about 2 hrs classroom, 1 hr lunch, and the rest about 5 hrs in the cars, all m's. there shouldn't be so much classroom time that takes up 50% of the time. and i assume people eat together.
if suddenly now it moves to 3500 bucks for half day with the lfa, that gets even more expensive
if suddenly now it moves to 3500 bucks for half day with the lfa, that gets even more expensive
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Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 171
From: IL
My guess is I/we will get about two hours of seat time in the cars. If I get that Monday and a day of farting around Sonoma on Sunday I will come home more than happy.
I did ask if launch control will be available and have not heard back on that one.
Gengar, are you flying into Oakland or SF or are you the guy that asked if he could fly his helicoptor into the site?
I did ask if launch control will be available and have not heard back on that one.
Gengar, are you flying into Oakland or SF or are you the guy that asked if he could fly his helicoptor into the site?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 2,761
From: Calgary, AB
Thanks. Please keep us posted. I believe if they are going to teach how to achieve or exceed the official 0-60 mph, it will be using the launch control system.
My guess is I/we will get about two hours of seat time in the cars. If I get that Monday and a day of farting around Sonoma on Sunday I will come home more than happy.
I did ask if launch control will be available and have not heard back on that one.
Gengar, are you flying into Oakland or SF or are you the guy that asked if he could fly his helicoptor into the site?
I did ask if launch control will be available and have not heard back on that one.
Gengar, are you flying into Oakland or SF or are you the guy that asked if he could fly his helicoptor into the site?
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 171
From: IL
That is why I asked Rolla.
I have no way of knowing if the prototypes have LC included.
My guess is the yellow car does as it was one of the last prototypes.
Too bad we don't get the blue one with the alcantara Recaros.
I have no way of knowing if the prototypes have LC included.
My guess is the yellow car does as it was one of the last prototypes.
Too bad we don't get the blue one with the alcantara Recaros.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,285
Likes: 43
From: NV
My guess is I/we will get about two hours of seat time in the cars. If I get that Monday and a day of farting around Sonoma on Sunday I will come home more than happy.
I did ask if launch control will be available and have not heard back on that one.
Gengar, are you flying into Oakland or SF or are you the guy that asked if he could fly his helicoptor into the site?
I did ask if launch control will be available and have not heard back on that one.
Gengar, are you flying into Oakland or SF or are you the guy that asked if he could fly his helicoptor into the site?
I can't speak for the M program but every track program I've ever done, including Skip Barber at Laguna and introductory courses at motorsports complexes like Spring Valley and Autobahn CC all had far less than half the program time behind the wheel - in fact I doubt it was even 1/3. I certainly am not going into this full day program expecting to spend the entire day behind the wheel.
and if step back a little and look at it, you go to classroom first and learn about theories, before you go to the track and practice. so it's not like you can swap the two and have half the class practice first while the other half in class, unless i am missing something. so in the end, that sounds like of all the DRIVING time (i am not even talking about whole day), only half would be with the lfa?
oh well, just my 2 cents. i think it's great lexus is having this class (and needed), but to me, i just expect almost all my driving time to be on the lfa
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 171
From: IL
Thanks Gengar,
When I speaking with Shawn about the program I asked what guestions am I missing and he offered the one about the copter.
He was kind enough to mention the Lexus rate at the hotel you are going with. Once I get a confirmation, I will set that up.
As of this morning, there were 4 total slots left, one on the 10th and 3 on the 14th and I took one of those.
It sounded like a lot of the slots were picked up last week, once they opened it up to the public. It will be interesting to hear how many of the slots were taken by owners.
When I speaking with Shawn about the program I asked what guestions am I missing and he offered the one about the copter.
He was kind enough to mention the Lexus rate at the hotel you are going with. Once I get a confirmation, I will set that up.
As of this morning, there were 4 total slots left, one on the 10th and 3 on the 14th and I took one of those.
It sounded like a lot of the slots were picked up last week, once they opened it up to the public. It will be interesting to hear how many of the slots were taken by owners.
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 171
From: IL
A few more details.
They do expect the cars to have LC, but not sure about its use.
Most of the particpants will be owners, spouses and sons and some friends of owners.
New fun fact, some of the owners are women and they are bringing their husbands.
They do expect the cars to have LC, but not sure about its use.
Most of the particpants will be owners, spouses and sons and some friends of owners.
New fun fact, some of the owners are women and they are bringing their husbands.