Lexus’ Performance Driving School: the Ultimate Bucket-List Experience
The Drive spends some track time in a new Lexus and gets schooled on the finer aspects of speed and control from pro driver Scott Pruitt.
Over its nearly 30-year history, Lexus has made some fantastic, quick, comfortable cars. But save for a few exceptions, you won’t find many that are entirely at home on the track. Thankfully, for the past few years, the luxury brand has sought to rectify this. And in 2018, we’re happy to report that several Lexus standouts are as comfortable on the track as they are on the highway.
Like Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, and Ferrari, Lexus now offers its customers one-day track training. The Lexus Performance Driving School is based out of Atlanta Motorsports Park and costs $895. While that sounds steep, it covers cars (so you don’t have to hoon your own), professional instruction, and plenty of track time.
Writer Talon Homer recently spent time there for The Drive and can attest that the program is worth it. After a classroom session with pro driver Scott Pruitt, he hopped into a new LC500 and followed a pro onto the track for some laps. “I think Atlanta Motorsports Park is good for beginners,” he says. “The track isn’t really fast enough to get into too much trouble, but there are a lot of elevation changes to keep things interesting.”
As for the LC500, he’s smitten. According to Homer: “Initially, I was a bit nervous that the 470-horsepower and 4,300-pound LC500 would be a handful in sharp corners. It only took a couple laps to completely dispel that fear.” He praises the car’s handling, quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, and relatively unobtrusive traction control.
‘Initially, I was a bit nervous that the 4,300-pound LC500 would be a handful in sharp corners. It only took a couple laps to completely dispel that fear.’
From there, he hops into an RC F coupe for drifting. He doesn’t leave drifting like a pro, but he learns some important tips. After that, it’s autocross in a GS F sedan. Despite its large size, the big sport saloon proves to be a blast in the twisties.
And to top it all off, the day ends with hot laps as a passenger back in an LC500. While that may sound disappointing, the driver was 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Pruitt. If that isn’t a memory that will last a lifetime, we don’t know what is.
Homer’s final assessment of Lexus’ performance school? “Overall, I’d say the Lexus Performance School is a great way for beginners to get experience on the track.” Between the thrills and the joy of driving Lexus’ fantastic current performance lineup, that sounds about right to us.
Join the Club Lexus forums now!
