Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
There are few things in life more thrilling than driving a fast sports car. Add to that one of the best racing circuits in the world and you’re guaranteed to have one of the best experiences in your budding motoring journalism career.
So it proved for myself last weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit as the wonderful folk at Ebrahim K Kanoo and Lexus invited me to take the new RCF around the hallowed tarmac for a test drive.
Despite going to the BIC more times than I can count and watching various events, actually having the chance to drive around the circuit was a complete privilege. Sure, I’ve done thousands of laps on the Formula One video game, but nothing beats the real thing.
The opportunity was part of an ‘Experience Lexus’ event for lucky Lexus owners, interested potential customers and members of the media, giving them the opportunity to drive the marque’s cars on the ultramodern race track.
Lexus provided the latest LS, LC and RCF models, and it was the latter which was to become my best friend for the rest of the afternoon.
After an agonising wait while the instructors went through safety rules and regulations, I eventually got to slip the beast into drive and hear the soft purr of the engine as it rolled down the pit lane.
Unfortunately, as putting a young male in a fast sports car on an open track would raise insurance premiums through the roof, we weren’t allowed to drive freely and had to follow in a spaced-out train behind a pace car. Thankfully, that was driven by one of my closest friends, Adel Abdulla, who with a nod and a wink made it clear that he wouldn’t be going the slowest he possibly could.
Over three laps of the BIC’s outer track, we gradually sped up and the purr became a roar as I opened the throttle and really put the vehicle to work.
Down the main straight, the sharp braking to Turn One followed by the chicane … onto the straight at the back of the circuit and then the sweeping corners of the track’s final section … I’d been here before in the dreams, but this time it was actually happening.
The car handled with a smoothness that would make butter jealous. It responded to every steer with glue-like traction, and the throttle picked up instantly. When it came to braking, a sharp press slowed the car rapidly but without the screeching or even rumble of an average road car.
Unfortunately, as with all things fun in life, my time under the setting sun was running on and I only got three laps with it, but I can comfortably say this was one of the most exhilarating experiences behind the wheel of any vehicle.
What surprised me about the RCF is not only how its makers can fit so much luxury into one cabin, but how gentle the ride is. It barely feels like you’re driving at all, but rather gliding without vibration or bumps along the way, but still with the G-Forces that make driving it around a track so thrilling.
As I stepped out of the car, I had that mixture of adrenaline-fuelled excitement and sadness at it being over. I think one eye let a tear of joy roll down my cheek, and the other one of despair.
Afterwards, I had the opportunity to speak to the senior manager of Lexus Marketing, Ayman Shehadeh. He said: “Lexus has always been a favourite in Bahrain and the region because of its outstanding reliability, design and relentless innovation. It is all about the experience and Lexus is committed to continually redefine what an amazing experience truly is.
“E K Kanoo will continue to host such events for all of our customers in Bahrain to show our appreciation for their loyalty and also to give people the chance to get a first-hand experience of what Lexus has to offer.”
For more information about Lexus Bahrain, visit Lexus.com.bh, call 17737773, or visit the Lexus showroom in Sitra.
