Ocean Drive July 2008 Players was elected the best Luxury Car Rental of the year. Thanks Ocean Drive
DuPont Registry
Fortune 500
Car and Driver
I was getting tired of hearing about the wonderful Ferrari F430. The problem wasn't the Ferrari's many virtues but rather that my exposure to the car was likely similar to yours — reading about it in this magazine.
Then we heard about Players World Class Driving, a company that provides a day of driving in a million dollars' worth of exotic cars for $995, and promptly signed up. For that amount, you get to drive the aforementioned F430, as well as these special machines: an Aston Martin DB9 Volante, a Bentley Continental GT, a Corvette Z06, a Ford GT, and a Lamborghini Gallardo.
We caught up with the Miami-based company's 46-event U.S. tour in Cape May, New Jersey, where most of the attendees were well-off car nuts looking for a day of thrills, and everyone went away smiling. But these events also attract potential buyers, since test drives in exotic machinery are not easy to snag.
A few days prior to the New Jersey event, the Ford GT sustained a bit of damage. This is when Players World Class Driving's relationship to Players Car Rental in Miami pays off. They simply subbed in a $275,000 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, and no one complained.
The 25-mile driving loop on public roadways featured an urban and highway mix, and there were ample opportunities to experience the ferocious acceleration of each car. Rotating observers are along to ensure that things don't get out of hand, but license preservation is up to each driver. Amazingly, no one got a speeding ticket.
Rotating through the six cars takes roughly eight hours, with about an hour between the half-hour stints. They feed you, too — breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
Each event is limited to 24 drivers, and passengers can tag along for an additional $250. Drivers must be at least 25 and are required to submit their driver licenses for scrutiny by Players' insurance company two weeks in advance. If you bend a car, there is a $2000 damage deductible in the fine print.
Besides the one-day events, Players World Class Driving offers VIP tours, with more driving time and considerably higher prices. Check their Web site for more information or to sign up
Feel like a Million Bucks
