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September 3-7, 2008... ...Affordable Fantasy
'Motor Trend' & 'Automobile' present the first World Class Driving Festival at West Baden Springs Hotel & French Lick Resort
The first annual World Class Driving Festival offers auto enthusiasts of all calibers the opportunity to individually tailor driving experiences to fit their specific fantasies and choose from a variety of other activities including golf, spa services, fine cuisine, and luxury goods shopping, outdoor recreating and gaming.
Four differently priced packages are available from Wednesday to Sunday ranging from a single day's driving to a luxurious stay at the West Baden Springs Hotel complete with chauffeur service in a Rolls Royce Phantom. All packages combine driving experiences that are second to none!
This Lifestyle Event will showcase the Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 as the star of the show; the fastest production car in the world able to accelerate and decelerate faster than any other production car in the world. It is named after French racing driver, 'Pierre Veyron' who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1939 racing for Bugatti. Each driver will receive her/his picture with the Bugatti Veyron.
French Lick Resort and West Baden Springs Hotel
For more than 100 years, French Lick Resort and West Baden Springs Hotel have been legendary for hosting memorable events. Now fully restored beyond their turn-of-the-century splendor, the resorts offer the most extraordinary settings for the inaugural World Class Driving Festival.
Experience automobile ecstasy while in surrounded by beautiful formal gardens, outdoor and indoor patios, architectural splendor, spacious and picturesque grounds and an atrium filled with some of the very finest cars ever built from the world's most respected manufacturers.
In addition to the stunning gala, World Class Driving will also coordinate an amazing reception honoring the automobile industry with all the elegance and prestige the newly restored grand Atrium at West Baden offers. An event hosted by racing a famous racing icon.
What is the World Class Driving Festival?
It's automobile Nirvana for drivers and car enthusiasts who want a chance to drive the most comprehensive range of sophisticated and exotic cars. A new romance between you and the cars in a very unique lifestyle environment: West Baden Springs Hotel and French Lick Resort.
Why is it a World Premier?
It has never happened before. World Class Driving, the leader in the automobile entertainment business, is partnering with French Lick Resort, home of the West Baden Springs Hotel. For the first time in the USA, you will get a chance to drive the world's best collection of cars and to share your experience with your family and friends while enjoying a pampered stay at a luxurious spa/resort.
Who is organizing the Festival?
The Festival is a partnership between French Lick Resort, home of the West Baden Springs Hotel, Motor Trend & Automobile Magazines, Festivals of Speed and World Class Driving - the leader in the automobile entertainment business. World Class Driving has built its reputation with its famous US Tour. The Festival is your best chance to compare one car against another and to select your own favorites and fantasies from a minimum of 40 cars, all while staying in a world class resort.
What is the program about?
It is designed to suit your fantasies. You can to customize your car romance for a weekday or the weekend between September 3rd and September 7th. Each driving group includes a minimum of 3 exotic cars. Depending on the package purchased, you may access several different groups of autos: Super Cars, Exotic Cars and Exclusive Cars.
Is it about cars?
Yes. Each program will give you access to a range of cars classified in groups or categories. You can drive all the cars if you wish. You will spend 20/25 minutes in each car on scenic road journeys through the French Lick, Indiana, and Hoosier National Forest area. Professionals from the motor sport world will supervise your driving experiences in a lead car. You can bring passenger(s) depending on the number of passenger seats available. Our registration staff will help to coordinate your driving experiences with all the Festival activities.
Here are just some of the cars we'll have for you:
What are the 'luxury' elements?
Atmosphere :
West Baden Springs Hotel's magnificent Atrium will welcome the most amazing cars for your fantasy. Speakers from the automobile industry will tell you more about their challenges and answer your questions on a variety of automotive topics.
Lifestyle :
French Lick Resort and West Baden Springs Hotel will make available all of their facilities so your stay is truly unforgettable. Festival guests will be offered special packages for the spas, golf, dining, gambling, riding, etc.
Fine Cuisine :
French Lick Resort and West Baden Springs Hotel chefs will present a variety of gourmet dishes from all over the world. There are daily Cocktail Receptions plus a Gala Dinner and Garden Parties.
Luxury Goods :
Watches, jewelers, luggage, auto memorabilia, festival merchandise, etc.
Celebrities :
The Festival will welcome celebrities from the car industry and racing world. Fascinating seminars on a variety of hot topics together with hosted cocktail parties, a special Gala Dinner and Garden Parties are all part of the experience.
Can I Bring My Own Exotic or Classic Car?
Yes! A 'Special Arena' will be open to everybody in a specially designated display area. During the Sunday garden party (lunch time) there will be awards for cars voted by all participants during the week as being the best in class.
What else is there for the auto enthusiast?
Education: 'Green Cars'
A range of the best green cars will be made available for you to test-drive. An 'Expert Desk' will tell you more about the future of cars and the environment.
'Smart'
A range of Smart Cars will be available to test at both French Lick Resort and West Baden Springs.
What are the driver qualification requirements?
To participate in a WCD event a driver needs to:
Be between 25 and 70 years old (drivers over 70 may be able to
participate subject to certain insurance company approvals)
Hold a valid US, Canadian or International driving license (other
license holders will require prior authorization)
Hold current insurance from a recognized insurance company
Be able to drive the cars without the aid of special equipment
There are no specific weight or height restrictions for participation in a WCD event. However, all of the cars have limited headroom and are fitted with racing seats, which provide lateral support. It is our experience that drivers over 280 lbs or 6'5" or taller may be extremely uncomfortable. We advise that if you fall into this category it is better to call us before booking an event.
What are some of the WCD Rules?
This event is not about racing or inappropriate speed and WCD has the
right to exclude any driver who does not follow the rules!
Follow all traffic laws - police tickets are your expense
No inappropriate speed - you must respect the local speed limits
Do not start before an instructor has explained the car to you
Do not rev the engines at idle - the cars are sensitive - respect them
Traction control must stay on at all times
Keep the pace car in sight and stay with the group - leaving means
exclusion from the event
Stay focused on the road
Drive responsibly and within your skill level
No burnouts
Do not tailgate
No radio use / no cell phone use
No picture taking while driving / no mounting video camera in cars
Inspection of each car is mandatory after each drive
Are the cars difficult to drive?
No. However, the cars are more powerful and responsive than a typical road car. Operation of the controls and special features of each car will be presented during the briefing. Our cars have an "automatic mode" if required. Some also use "sequential manual gearboxes" (or SMG), manumatic or tiptronic. This new E Gear technology, also used in F1 and DSG, is found in many new high performance cars and is a manual gearbox where the clutch and gear selection is handled by a computer when you touch the gear change paddle. Most drivers find this system quite instinctive and adapt quickly to it.
What kind of route will I drive?
We have established routes that cover approximately 45 miles and incorporate a combination of sweeping turns, twists and straights while traversing the beautifully forested and hilly Hoosier countryside. We try to use roads that are not congested and offer spectacular scenery. Our goal is to find roads that will allow you to enjoy the drive to the fullest extent. We will always make sure there are at least two restroom stops during each driving experience.
How is my driving time scheduled?
Prior to the event (7-15 days) you will be sent details of your driving time, based on the group of cars you selected. For each category we have 3 morning sessions and 5 afternoon sessions. Each tour will take approximately one hour and thirty minutes. For each category, you will be assigned 3 cars from the list of cars available. Upon arrival, you will attend the driver briefing (see below) and will be introduced to your instructors. You will receive a driver grid for the 3 cars you will drive, which will explain the order that you will drive each of the cars. Shuttles will take each group from the driver briefing to the cars. The group will leave West Baden Springs or French Lick Resort and follow a route that will take in the best driving roads in the area before returning to the start location. Stops (check points) will be made along the route to change drivers.
What is the "briefing" all about?
The briefing will cover the car presentation, driving tips, route information and rules. You only need to attend one briefing for your entire program. Every event participant must sign a disclaimer (a copy is available to download on our site), and must agree to follow all WCD rules. You must present your driver's license, a copy of your insurance card, and a credit card. The insurance deductible is $5,000.
How does your "Road Experience" Program work?
The driving experience can last up to 1 1/2 hours. Each driver will have approximately 25/30 minutes in each car. You will drive cars on an open road route specially selected by WCD. You will alternate cars until each person has driven all three cars.). Our staff has professional driving experience and most have worked within the racing industry. The group of cars is led by a pace car. This is to ensure that no one gets lost, or if there is a problem along the route there will be a person to identify and respond to issues. This format makes it possible for our guests to simply focus on their driving and enjoy the cars. You are allowed to bring passenger(s) during your ride. However each passenger must sign a disclaimer.
Is there a dress code?
WCD event venues are chosen for their location and surroundings and we request that each participant be dressed accordingly. Sport casual is ideal. The pedals on some of the cars are close together so sports shoes are a good choice (boots are not ideal). Please be careful not to wear a belt with metal decorations, you will be asked to remove it as it may damage the seat leather. No additional safety equipment is required. Don't forget your camera and/or video recorder so you or your guest passenger can capture the event! Cameras cannot be mounted in cars. There is room in each car for a small backpack. For special activities the Festival will require business casual dress code and black tie for the Gala Dinner.
What happens if it rains?
Light/moderate rain is not a problem; storms may cause a group to be delayed or postponed to the next day. If storms are persistent and heavy, we may reschedule to another date or give you the option to change your booking to another scheduled event.
The Festival will be something really different!!
It will ensure you will have the best romance ever at the French Lick Resort, home of the West Baden Springs Hotel.
How do I register?
You can register for either weekday packages (Bronze and Silver) or weekend packages (Gold and Platinum). Our staff will advise you about the best drives available based on your wishes. They will explain how you can increase the number of your drives if you wish.- Each package offers from a minimum of 3 exotic car drives up to 12 drives.
Prices range from to $895 to $2,795
General admission: $10
Children under 15: $2
How does insurance work?
First, your driving license is approved. When you register at the Festival you will have to bring proof of insurance. World Class Driving has liability and material damage coverage. You will sign a waiver during the pre-drive briefing. Read and agree our term and conditions when you sign up.
Is there a cancellation policy?
If you cancel your reservation for any reason other than a medical emergency (backed up by a doctor's certificate) the following cancellation fees will apply:
You will receive a full refund if you cancel up to 45 days prior to the event
You will receive a 50% refund if you cancel 15 to 44 days prior to the event
You will not receive any refund if you cancel 0 - 14 days prior to the event
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