Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

3 Bucket List Experiences for Car Racing Enthusiasts

By

drive a race car
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Some people travel half-way around the world just to relish one particular food; for some, it’s about finding the highest bungee jump on earth; and still others are looking to escape to a far-flung destination like the North Pole where few humans have ever set foot.

The point is: everyone has their bucket list. For car enthusiasts, getting behind the wheel of an exotic or legit race car is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s worth hopping a flight for. Here are three incredible driving experiences where you can drive a race car yourself.

Recommended Videos

Pull Serious G’s at Indy Racing Experience

drive
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When organizers of the Indy Racing Experience approached the track owners at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with their plan, they were rejected immediately. Allowing average drivers with zero previous racing experience the opportunity to zip around the world famous track at up to 130 MPH sounded insane. It was, and it is. Yet, somehow the group made the proposed experience a reality. Visitors looking to drive an actual IndyCar that’s previously participated in the Indianapolis 500 need look no further than the group’s Drive Experience. If you’re cool with riding shotgun, opt instead for the Ride Experience. A skilled Indy driver (Mario Andretti, Sr is among them) chauffeurs riders around the track at north of 180 MPH, where they’ll experience g-forces like only the world’s most elite racers.

Drift an Exotic Supercar on Ice at Lamborghini Winter Accademia

car
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If IndyCars aren’t disco enough for you, how does tossing a $400,000 exotic sports car around the snowy mountains of Europe sound? Every year, Lamborghini organizes the Lamborghini Winter Accademia — an annual event in which drivers pilot two of the company’s most exclusive rides around the snow- and ice-covered wilds of the Italian Alps. For 2017, the program includes the 700-horsepower Aventador (both Coupé and Roadster models) and 610-horsepower Huracán Coupé. Drivers receive extensive hands-on driving tips and assistance from some of Lamborghini’s most skilled driving instructors. For obvious reasons (not the least of which are price and location), slots in the program are extremely limited.

Tour Europe’s Most Challenging Race Circuits

last
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The aptly named Ultimate Driving Tours organizes exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime racing experiences for well-heeled drivers around the world. Their Ultimate Track Tour takes visitors around three of the most famous and challenging race tracks in Europe (and, quite possibly, the world): Nurburgring Nordschleife, Spa-Francorchamps, and Circuito Ascari. The track cars are all purpose-built and specially customized just for the experience. The whirlwind six-day/five-night tour is all-inclusive with meals, hotel stays, and transfers in and around Germany, Spain, and Belgium included. Visitors even get to go head-to-head at the Schumacher family’s own go-kart track.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Icelandair bolsters partnership with this technology company
Icelandair renews agreement with Amadeus
icelandair amadeus agreement mountains

Icelandair has extended and broadened its collaboration with travel technology company Amadeus. With the partnership, the airline looks to better meet travelers’ needs. It’s a dual-track deal that makes Amadeus Altéa NDC the API NDC provider for Icelandair and distributes the carrier’s fares and content, including web fares and NDC-based content.
New Distribution Capability (NDC) gives travelers detailed info and flexibility

NDC is a data exchange format supported by the travel industry. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) helped start the program (NDC Program) for improved capability and communications between airlines and travel agents. Benefits include a transparent shopping experience, access to airline content, and differentiation of airline products and services. Icelandair’s use of NDC will help broaden the airline’s reach, giving travel sellers full access to its content and fares. That’ll also help the carrier connect with new customer segments.

Read more
Indulge in Downtown Portland’s dining scene with these standout spots
Be ravenous in the Rose City
Portland, Oregon

Portland has long been known for its food scene. It's a circuit worth salivating over, but downtown, especially as of late, has mostly been left out. And to overlook the Rose City's central area is to forego truly exceptional meals, as capable as some of the best restaurants in America.

By all means, check out the city's vast number of neighborhoods — all with scores of esteemed eateries. But don't leave out downtown Portland restaurants, because while it may feel like other cities on the surface — the buildings, the chain establishments, the occasional unsavory character — there's too much flavor not to visit.

Read more
Inside Big Bend National Park
Adventure awaits at Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas
Chihuahuan Mountain Range at Big Bend National Park

Despite being larger than Rhode Island at 1,252 square miles, Big Bend National Park only sees about 500,000 visitors per year due to its remote location. Nestled in a remote corner of southwest Texas, this national park has so much to see, from the Rio Grande to dinosaur fossils and hot springs.

One interesting part about Big Bend is that it combines three unique ecosystems in one place: the Chihuahuan Desert, where you can see sand dunes, cacti, and rock formations, the Chisos Mountains, which are full of forests, and the Rio Grande, which carves towering canyons. Here, you'll also see some of the best stargazing in the entire world.

Read more