I'll explain more about the weekend, but I wanted to share this particular part. I cut and paste from my Facebook...
Lexus to me is bigger than just cars, the mentality of doing for others is a way of life. I had decided on the drive down with Jason (
Buckhead Imports
) during the planned first ever Lexus Parade Lap, he would drive my LC. Yes, I worked with the team at
Lexus Racing USA
and Hospitality for an amazing weekend for Lexus F owners. The coolest thing was to secure a parade lap for the amazing Lexus F owners who attended on Friday. This was not my idea, this was Jeff Bal' (Lexus Motorsort Manager). A stunning suggestion. While it was a dream to drive my own car at the track, I had driven at SEBRING before (thanks
Nicholas Shafer
) and I figured I might have the opportunity again with Lexus. This was Jason's first time there and he is a serious gear head and to be quite frank, the LC might not have made it without his work on my car (long story with tires lol).
When time came to sign waiver forms for driver, passenger, I told Jason how much I appreciated him and he could drive my car. He was pretty shocked. Besides as a passenger I could get some good media footage. I walked inside the Lexus Racing Hospitality booth and Jeff was inside talking to Mike Pricer. He asked me if I was excited to drive my car and I told him Jason was driving and I explained why. Jeff paused and then asked me "have you driven the Track Edition before" and I said no I haven't but I'm smitten by it a bit. He says, good cause you will drive it. I was in shock then and quite frankly I'm in shock now writing about it.
When I told Jason he was as excited for me. We got in the cars and everyone started revving their engines. I couldn't stop grinning. The photographer was snapping photos and I ask Jeff "who is leading" and he says "you are". At this point its lucky I didn't faint.
To top off this story, Jeff leads us in the first modified Lexus IS 350 F-Sport Jason and I built. Then it was me in the RC F Track Edition, then Jason in my modified LC. Then the rest of the F vehicles. It was surreal. Then to have clients like
ADV.1 Wheels
FlowSPEC by ADV.1 Wheels
&
RS-R USA
involved with invaluable footage they can soon share. It was remarkable.
To top off this story, Jeff leads us in the first modified Lexus IS 350 F-Sport Jason and I built. Then it was me in the RC F Track Edition, then Jason in my modified LC. Then te pulled up. We took 3 spirited parade laps and the photographer was planned to shoot across from the hospitality suite to capture EACH AND EVERY attendee so they could have a personal moment captured. Experiece Amazing". And it also showed the universe has a funny way of working things out. I snuck in a couple shots before we took off and then a new LC Convertible pulled up. We took 3 spirited parade laps and the photographer was planned to shoot across from the hospitality suite to capture EACH AND EVERY attendee so they could have a personal moment captured.
I initially took a couple videos and photos and then I said to myself "you know what, you worked hard to be here, enjoy the moment". Thus I put the phones down and enjoyed driving the RC F Track Edition, on the track, as it was meant to be.
In conclusion I cannot think of a better example of the new Lexus tagline "Experience Amazing". It is bigger than just cars, it is how you treat others. We got to experience the best hospitality and some of the best cars around.
More to come on the weekend with Lexus Racing. Now that I think about it, I think Jeff tried to sell me a car hahahah.
#LexusRacingUSA #AVSAutosport #IMSA #LexusRCF #SidelineSportsPhotography