Previously, I mentioned unofficial word from Lexus reps about their plans of an advanced driver training program for US-based LFA buyers at Infineon - well, it's now official.

The program will be run by the "Lexus LFA Driver Development Center" in March 2011, and focuses on a full-day course that involves one-on-one interaction with a personal driving instructor (I'm very curious as to who they'll get for this). It looks like it will be tailored to each individual's ability and experience, so could include anything the brochure mentions from introductory-level exercises on the drag strip, slalom course, and skid pad to familiarize drivers with the car's performance abilities, to more intermediate car limit exercises. Certainly the big deal is getting multiple sessions on the actual Infineon track, with breaks for instructor feedback.

Cost is $3500 for the full day program, which is a real steal compared to the comparable Ferrari programs or even entry-level half-day programs typically found at local tracks. I'm going to ask if multi-day schedules are available, although I can't imagine that any LFA buyer with any sort of inclination towards the track wouldn't jump at this opportunity.

Infineon is probably my second-favorite track in the world after Laguna (and obviously my favorite track that I've never actually driven), so this is a huge deal for me.

 

Infieneon is a challenging course, plenty of off camber turns, a little straight with a kink in it also, this sounds good. I wonder if anyone here will take advantage of it.

 

this is great offering!!!!

 

They will be very prominent and familiar names. I'm just not allowed to say who.

 

Only for LF-A buyers? Or can anyone go?

 

i believe only for lfa owners

 

It's not open to the public, only invited LFA owners.

 

Hope someone brings along a camera! Hint hint!

 

Got the invitation today. It will be held on Mar 8-15. There will be practice sessions in acceleration, braking, and slalom, cornering and skidpad in LFA and IS-F. Then 4 laps around the track in the LFA, and wrapping up with a demo lap by the instructor.

The Lexus LFA Driver Development Center was designed as a place
for Lexus LFA owners to become more confident and comfortable
driving this ultra performance machine. In order to achieve these goals,
we offer a curriculum unlike any other driving school with a perfect
mix of on track lapping sessions, performance limit exercises, technical
demonstrations, and your very own professional driving coach. With
a full day of progressive in-car instruction, our program has been
designed to enhance your overall Lexus LFA ownership experience.
Upon arrival at Infineon Raceway, you will meet your personal driving
instructor while your breakfast is being prepared. This is a great time to
get to know each other and discuss your previous driving experience
and personal goals for the day. The use of one-on-one instruction
gives us the freedom to adjust the curriculum, depending on your
background, so you can get the most out of the day’s activities.
After breakfast, we move to our private conference room where we
will cover the technical aspects of the vehicle and discuss racing theory.
Theories include load transfer, threshold braking, racing line, and the
limits of adhesion. Listen carefully because knowledge gained here will
be put into practice throughout your day.
Leaving the conference room, it’s time to get behind the wheel of
the Lexus LFA. We start by fitting you in the car with correct seating
position followed by acceleration and braking exercises on the drag
strip. We encourage you to reach the vehicle’s 0-60 time of 3.6
seconds and continue accelerating beyond the ¼ mile mark until
your instructor asks you to apply maximum brake pressure. We will
repeat this exercise, giving you the opportunity to understand the
vehicle’s acceleration and braking capabilities.
Using a Lexus IS-F, we will explore load transfer and limit adhesion
during the slalom, cornering, and skid pad exercises. This will give
you the chance to feel the vehicle move laterally under your control,
experience its mechanical grip limit, and learn how to efficiently travel
through a corner at speed. Learning how the vehicle reacts to your
input and its handling limit will prepare you for your first of four Lexus
LFA lapping sessions on Infineon Raceway.
Track time is a key feature of the The Lexus Driver Development
Center. Mastering this 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course demands
concentration, consistency, and mental focus. Guiding you around
the racetrack, our coaches have years of experience and countless
laps on Infineon Raceway resulting in an intimate knowledge of every
corner. During every lap this information will be passed on to you as
your speed and confidence progressively increases.
Your day wraps with a Lexus LFA thrill ride around Infineon Raceway
piloted by your instructor. He will demonstrate what the Lexus LFA can
do in the hands of a professional racing driver. For most this is a thrilling
and humbling experience, but for some it will inspire future track days
in their very own Lexus LFA.

 

Sweet!

Looks like they will have video VBOX telemetry to see how fast you get from 0 - 60 mph and 1/4 mile etc. since they clearly mention they will teach you how to achieve the official performance numbers. Also, they most likely will teach how to use the launch control system.

Can you please take notes of the acceleration numbers and also post a detail review of the experience?? Thanks.

 

I bet Scott Pruett is one of the instructors, if not a Japanese stable from Toyota definitely, can we think of names?

 

The pro drivers are familiar names in the racing industry here in the US.

 

So my guess must be right. Wonder who else they'll employ?

 

I can tell you one of them was a driver at the Monticello event.

 

Scott Pruett was there piloting the LFA, not sure who else was. But I do know that there was another driver there- that was Patrick Long, but he was driving the Porsche! Tell me it's not him, is it?