New Ferrari driving school will open in Canada
By Michael Bettencourt and Marc Lachapelle
Before you get too excited, there's a catch: it's only for Ferrari owners. Ferrari North America has confirmed that it will offer a factory-authorized Ferrari Driving School at the Le Circuit race complex, in Mont-Tremblant, north of Montreal in the province of Quebec.
[B]Legendary Track Reborn[/B]
The school will help owners nudge their cars closer to their machinery's capabilities by improving their driving skills at this legendary race venue.
The original track was built by a group of enthusiasts in 1964 and quickly became renowned for its degree of difficulty and its exceptional setting. The first-ever round of the historically-famous Can-Am series was held there in 1966.
Le Circuit hosted several Formula 1 Grand Prix and numerous other major events, both international and national, in the following decades.
At the turn of the century, the course was entirely resurfaced, on the classic original layout, and expanded to enable multiple driving events or racing schools to be held simultaneously.
The track, which had also been brought up to the latest FIA safety standards, was reopened in 2002. The new owner also refurbished and modernized the adjoining facilities and services.
[B]Modelled after Italian Factory Program[/B]
The new Ferrari Driving School will open this spring, and run from May to October, with reservations available through Ferrari North America or authorized Ferrari dealers.
The 'Ferrari Driving Experience', by its official name, will become the first program of its kind in North America. It was modelled after the Ferrari S.p.A. driving course in Italy
Course instructions will correspond to the basic "Pilota Ferrari" course offered in Italy, on Ferrari's Fiorano test track in Maranello. There, Ferrari offers a range of instruction levels, from basic all the way up to a full racing course.
[B]A Complete Package[/B]
The North American program will be offered as an exclusive and comprehensive 'lifestyle' package that will include transportation to and from Montreal, lodging in the posh five-star Hotel Quintessence hotel in Mont-Tremblant, a welcome reception and dinners, in addition to the intensive two-day driving program itself.
The track program will be led by Ferrari's own team of professional instructors. Students will be using a fleet of twelve brand-new Ferrari F430 'Berlinetta' coupes.
How much, you say, for all this? The organizers mention an all-inclusive fee of $8,200 US, which includes all taxes.
