A buddy of mine and I drove at the MSR raceway in Angleton/Houston this weekend. He drove a Ferrari 458 Italia and I drove a Audi R8. I had paid to drive the Porsche 997S 10 laps but it was in shop for repairs. They gave me the choice of either the R8 or a Nissan GTR. it was quite an experience. The track is quite technical with only a short straightway. The car was impressive. it sticks to the track like a rat in a drainpipe. (the tires were Michelin PSS-as on the Ferrari's that i looked at).
The instructors were great, allowing you to push it to the limit and coaching you to do all you were capable of. In fact, the entire crew is excellent. Before we drove they let us get in the cars and look at them as closely as we wanted, answering any questions that came to mind.
Surprising to me, they said the fastest car there was the Nissan GTR...straightline. Not as good in the corners. if you are tall, the Lambo is not for you. I'm 6'3'' and could barely get in it. the ferrari's and the R8 were quite roomy.
The instructor's overall favorite, though not there that day, was the porsche. Not as fast as the others but the most versatile.
For $400.00 to $500.00 it is quite a thrill with no risk to your own car.

 

Awesome !!!

 

It's always fun to drive someone else's car. No pics?

 

no good vantage points to get action shots.

 

Very cool. My son bought this for me last summer, we did it in Charlotte - I drove the 458 as well. Baller.

I think I puckered the instructor though - had some track time not long before that and was pushing it to the limit. Wish they had longer sweepers though - the Charlotte experience is pyloned off at odd spots and too short on the turns.

Did the Porsche experience in Charlotte too - road course and oval. Much better setup than Petty, but not as much fun behind the wheel.

 

MSR track was pyloned off in places that had me confused for a few laps, also. Some corners very tight. Tires were screaming from time to time. Instructor said i was coming in a little hot but he let me do what I wanted. Short straight was only disappointment. Top speed of 95 was all I could get out of it. However, my buddy only hit 90 in the 458. don't know if it was the driving or just his car was wearing out. I did 10 laps and he only bought 8. You learn more every lap.