Driving the World’s Hottest Cars

When travelers arrive at a destination they often rent a car. For some people, however, the rental car is the destination.

That’s the idea behind World Class Driving. This Delaware based company has put together a rather astounding fleet of luxury automobiles which most car enthusiasts can only dream about driving. WCD makes it a reality.

The company organizes driving events throughout America in which participants can drive each of the cars in its fleet; a Ferrari F430, Lamborgini Gallardo Spider, Ford GT, Porsche GT3 (or the Aston Martin Vanta) and the $480,000 Mercedes SLR McLaren Supercar (above).

Participants drop a whopping $1,295 for the once-in-a-lifetime experience and can spend 25 minutes with each car driving a designated route on open roads.

But don’t get too excited.

A rather limiting, but understandable list of rules can really harsh the experience:

No speeding
No reving engines
No radio use / no cell phone use
No burn-outs
Traction control must stay on

In addition, a “black box system” will monitor the drive to ensure none of this happens. Oh, and don’t expect to take out the half million dollar SLR McLaren on your own. A staff member will be sitting in the passenger seat making sure you don’t put a $50,000 ding in the fender.

Word for the Travel Wise (09/12/06)

Some tour packages make me chuckle. Like who combines these things? Was there some poll asking whether visitors to Italy would be interested in fierce, high-speed, hot-red Ferrari rides through Rome to their mineral bath? There had to have been because they’ve got this thing called the Red Wellness Tour. On this two day, one night tour you’re given the opportunity to drive up to three different Ferrari’s and to receive spa treatments. I could see somebody’s red-hot mama stepping out of one of the rides (you know the Devil Wears Prada type) tossing her furs from her shoulders and soaking herself in a nice warm bath. When she’s through off into her Ferrari at the speed of light! Too cute.

Today’s word is an Italian word used in Italy:

un riccone / una riccona – A rich man/woman. Usually used in a derogatory way, giving the idea of rich and arrogant.

Seeing how popular the language is there isn’t much difficulty finding learning resources on the web. I’m a little unsure about what’s going on with this June29 site, but they have three very simple lessons to get your learning motors going. You might find the BBC your one stop shop in handling your needs. Dictionaries, lessons, audio, and slang are all included. Distance learning is always recommended in my book. Check out some of these programs abroad where you can study in various cities across the country and even Lugano, Switzerland. A few links to study abroad are as follows: Amerispan, World Link Education, and ILUSS. Head over to this Italian Book Store for suggested text.

Past Italian words: qualcosa, dov’é, congratulazioni