The day finally rolled around so I could experience my son’s birthday gift. If I had a bucket list this would’ve been on it. Sonoma Raceway. First up was three hot laps as a passenger in a 760 hp wide body SRT Hellcat Charger with a pro driver. Supercharged V8 for those who don’t know. Incredible acceleration rush! The sound too! Sadly they don’t let us drive them and they had four! Next was three hot laps (driving) a V10 AWD Lamborghini Huracan with somewhere over 600 hp and a DCT. The cornering prowess of AWD is neck snapping. The brakes too! Rotors as large as serving platters with huge calipers. 21” wheels. Unreal stopping power. The only non stock additions to the cars are racing tires and brake pads. The tires weren’t slicks but almost. No roll cages and no harness restraints, just the OEM shoulder belts. We did have to wear helmets though. They also adjust the seat way more forward than anyone would comfortably drive with, almost like a NASCAR setup. I think they’re trying to ensure that the various drivers will be able to brake properly. There were lots of skid marks into the dirt on just about every corner. 
It’s almost impossible to enter or exit the Lambo with a helmet on!
Once situated they start the seven or so cars onto the track a few seconds apart. And yes, passing is allowed, I was able to pass a Ferrari 488 GTB on the outside under power coming into a right hander then late braking him after passing to take the corner, which was the best! I got to drive that Ferrari next, a twin turbo V8, also with somewhere over 600 ponies. All the cars have 7 or 8 speed Dual Clutch Transmissions and I love them! No need to even use the paddles, just stick it in drive and go! When you hammer it, it downshifts and when you lift, it (doesn’t) upshift right away allowing steady speed thru the esses and real grunt when you hammer it again. Shifts feel like someone just bumped into the trunk, BAM. Marvelous!!! We all have a Pro driver as a passenger giving hand signals for braking and accelerating etc but they’re not killjoys at all.
Next up was three hot laps in that twin turbo Ferrari. Also nearly impossible to get in and out of but once situated, ok. The BOOM when the turbos kick in is amazing! Stabbing the throttle in any of these cars is such a rush, the sound, the instant quickness is a gas…then hard on the spectacular brakes, set up for the corner, hit the apex and BOOM, hit the gas. Rinse and repeat! I managed a similar pass on a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, also with twin turbos, on a four liter flat six, my next car to drive. And finally the Porsche, much easier to get into.
I didn’t miss the lack of cylinders. The Porsche hauls azz! Seems lighter although it weighs about the same as the others. It was like the Ferrari, feeling easier to flick around compared to the Lambo. Maybe because of the AWD in the Lambo. All of them are six figure cars and speed wise, cornering wise and stopping wise,they’re well worth it!
My son picked out just one car to drive. He also did the ride along in a Hellcat but to drive, he chose the Super Snake GT500, leaving the Z51 Corvette and Audi A10 in the pits. The sound of the Mustang compared to the Hellcat was
loud and nasty! He managed a two car pass on one of his laps. Whattaday! Expensive but man was it fun.
It’s almost impossible to enter or exit the Lambo with a helmet on!Once situated they start the seven or so cars onto the track a few seconds apart. And yes, passing is allowed, I was able to pass a Ferrari 488 GTB on the outside under power coming into a right hander then late braking him after passing to take the corner, which was the best! I got to drive that Ferrari next, a twin turbo V8, also with somewhere over 600 ponies. All the cars have 7 or 8 speed Dual Clutch Transmissions and I love them! No need to even use the paddles, just stick it in drive and go! When you hammer it, it downshifts and when you lift, it (doesn’t) upshift right away allowing steady speed thru the esses and real grunt when you hammer it again. Shifts feel like someone just bumped into the trunk, BAM. Marvelous!!! We all have a Pro driver as a passenger giving hand signals for braking and accelerating etc but they’re not killjoys at all.
Next up was three hot laps in that twin turbo Ferrari. Also nearly impossible to get in and out of but once situated, ok. The BOOM when the turbos kick in is amazing! Stabbing the throttle in any of these cars is such a rush, the sound, the instant quickness is a gas…then hard on the spectacular brakes, set up for the corner, hit the apex and BOOM, hit the gas. Rinse and repeat! I managed a similar pass on a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, also with twin turbos, on a four liter flat six, my next car to drive. And finally the Porsche, much easier to get into.
I didn’t miss the lack of cylinders. The Porsche hauls azz! Seems lighter although it weighs about the same as the others. It was like the Ferrari, feeling easier to flick around compared to the Lambo. Maybe because of the AWD in the Lambo. All of them are six figure cars and speed wise, cornering wise and stopping wise,they’re well worth it! My son picked out just one car to drive. He also did the ride along in a Hellcat but to drive, he chose the Super Snake GT500, leaving the Z51 Corvette and Audi A10 in the pits. The sound of the Mustang compared to the Hellcat was
