Filed under: Lexus, First Drive
Lexus Performance Driving School: Dates are available and the price is right

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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Xcountryflyer 4:38PM (4/24/2008)
No NorCal stop. Drats.
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Damon Lavrinc 4:43PM (4/24/2008)
My sentiments exactly.
Raider007 4:54PM (4/24/2008)
thinking the same thing :/
sanimalp 5:49PM (4/24/2008)
northern California.. try being in Colorado..
SPG 4:45PM (4/24/2008)
Sweet, I'd love to drive the hell out of a super Lexus.
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Brandon 4:47PM (4/24/2008)
It says "Invitation Only"...
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Zane 4:56PM (4/24/2008)
Wow .. CA, GA and WV are sold out, well at least for the free 2 hour driving course. IL's still available though. :)
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2004m3driver 5:02PM (4/24/2008)
Hot damn thats a nice deal. BMW driving school was 700 bucks for a day.
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Tsunami Racer 5:07PM (4/24/2008)
wow this is great. i'll recommend it to all my idiot friends who can't drive a stick!!
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nissanfreak87 5:07PM (4/24/2008)
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...
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sw 5:10PM (4/24/2008)
Come on, the IS-F above the reach of 99% of the populace, making it a high end car.
nissanfreak87 6:37PM (4/24/2008)
I wasn't saying it wasn't high-end, I was saying it's far from the ultimate performance car
Fooman 5:08PM (4/24/2008)
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.
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Fooman 5:08PM (4/24/2008)
For the ultimate at 11:30.... At Fontana.
Jruhi4 7:33PM (4/30/2008)
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. 5:27PM (4/24/2008)
Wonder if one of the courses will include a spin around Boca Raton with a stop at an early bird special along the way?
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Ben 6:22PM (4/24/2008)
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.
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Zane 7:02PM (4/24/2008)
x2.
Which one? 7.30 or 11.30?
Ben 8:56PM (4/24/2008)
11:30. can't wait!
andy 6:22PM (4/24/2008)
they dont stop in Jersey? What the gay?
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