Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lexus IS F.
The introduction of the IS F proved that Lexus was serious about taking on its Germanic counterparts, but it's taking another page out of the BMW and Audi playbook by beginning to offer a high-performance driving experience to prospective owners. The Lexus Performance Driving Academy has announced dates and locations for 2008, giving attendees a choice of two courses to suit their needs and pocketbooks.
The first course consists of a two-hour session that puts you behind the wheel of the IS250, IS350, GS460, GS450h and the IS F. These basic sessions are available on Saturday and Sunday and here's the kicker: it's free. If you're willing to take a Friday off, you can upgrade to the "Ultimate" session that puts you behind the wheel of the IS F for a half-day, and includes your basic chalk talk (racing lines, grip dynamics, etc.), a team time attack, timed autocross session and a lead/follow exercise around the racetrack. Not a bad deal for $295.
Four tracks are available, including the Autobahn Circuit in Joliet, Illinois; the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California; the Summit Point Motorsports Park in West Virginia; and the Atlanta Motor Speedway, in Hampton, Georgia. You can head over to the Lexus Performance Driving Academy website for all the details.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Xcountryflyer @ Apr 24th 2008 4:38PM
No NorCal stop. Drats.
Damon Lavrinc @ Apr 24th 2008 4:43PM
My sentiments exactly.
Raider007 @ Apr 24th 2008 4:54PM
thinking the same thing :/
sanimalp @ Apr 24th 2008 5:49PM
northern California.. try being in Colorado..
SPG @ Apr 24th 2008 4:45PM
Sweet, I'd love to drive the hell out of a super Lexus.
Brandon @ Apr 24th 2008 4:47PM
It says "Invitation Only"...
Zane @ Apr 24th 2008 4:56PM
Wow .. CA, GA and WV are sold out, well at least for the free 2 hour driving course. IL's still available though. :)
2004m3driver @ Apr 24th 2008 5:02PM
Hot damn thats a nice deal. BMW driving school was 700 bucks for a day.
Tsunami Racer @ Apr 24th 2008 5:07PM
wow this is great. i'll recommend it to all my idiot friends who can't drive a stick!!
nissanfreak87 @ Apr 24th 2008 5:07PM
hahahahaha
in the FAQs they refer to the IS-F as "the ultimate high-end performance machine"
granted it performs better than my Maxima, but I highly doubt their claims would hold any water against any "high-end performers" such as Bugatti, Ferrari, Lambo, etc...
sw @ Apr 24th 2008 5:10PM
Come on, the IS-F above the reach of 99% of the populace, making it a high end car.
nissanfreak87 @ Apr 24th 2008 6:37PM
I wasn't saying it wasn't high-end, I was saying it's far from the ultimate performance car
Fooman @ Apr 24th 2008 5:08PM
It says invite only.. but I was able to register by going through the waiting list option... Not bad for a that cash...
I will be there that weekend anyway for BMWCCA HPDE the next 3 days lol. with my e46 M3. Should be interesting to compare the ISF with my car.
Fooman @ Apr 24th 2008 5:08PM
For the ultimate at 11:30.... At Fontana.
Jruhi4 @ Apr 30th 2008 7:33PM
For those of you like Fooman that encountered the Waiting List, Lexus has now issued an Invitation Number especially for Autoblog members. Unfortunately, the Los Angeles/Fontana event is booked solid, but there is space available for the Chicago, West Virginia and Atlanta events. To register, just enter LP79550333 in the white box next to "BEGIN REGISTRATION" at this link:
http://www.tasteoflexus.com/performance/registration.asp
Paul H. @ Apr 24th 2008 5:27PM
Wonder if one of the courses will include a spin around Boca Raton with a stop at an early bird special along the way?
John @ Apr 24th 2008 5:47PM
Does anyone else think this lexus looks incredible? Love the curves.
HID conversions
Scott @ Apr 24th 2008 7:47PM
Funny you should say that, because I was thinking this actually looks WORSE than the regular IS, which is a shame to say the least.
That hood is all wrong.
Yar @ Apr 24th 2008 8:54PM
I'm thinking the same thing as Scott. Seriously, this car has jowls... who though that was a good idea?
Ben @ Apr 24th 2008 6:22PM
Thank you Autoblog. Thank you. I'm signed up for ATL. Wish it were at Road Atlanta instead, but then you'd have a lot of wrecked Lexii that day.