"GP Experience" offers ultimate ride-and-drive at North American racetracks

A new program called The GP Experience has been launched which will allow enthusiasts to get behind the wheel of a real F1 racecar at tracks across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, including Circuit of The Americas. The program is being introduced in conjunction with Pirelli and LRS Formula, which stages similar F1 and GT driving experiences in Europe.

The first program of its kind in North America The GP Experience takes participants through a thrilling day of driving culminating behind the wheel of an 620-hp Formula 1 Grand Prix car. The special program allows enthusiasts a chance to feel the power, performance, and adrenaline of F1 first hand.

With a calendar of day-long driving events held at selected tracks across the country including the home of the U.S. Grand Prix, The GP Experience instructs participants with a top-flight team of professional drivers, mechanics, engineers, physiotherapists, and F1-class hospitality. The day begins with a karting introduction, followed by track sessions in a fleet of supercars. Participants will receive all appropriate and necessary coaching instruction from professional drivers alongside a support team for the F1 machinery.

As the day continues, participants become one of the very few in the world to experience driving a Formula 1 racecar. The F1 drive will be followed by a series of hot laps in a modified Formula 1 three-seater with guests riding alongside with a professional driver at high speeds.

"Our program was developed with the expertise of LRS Formula is very unique and exclusive for F1 enthusiasts in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada," says Jean Paul Libert, co-founder of the program. "More importantly, after you've signed up for and graduated the first level of The GP Experience, you become eligible for more laps as part of our GP Driver's club with access to Kimi Raikkonen's E20 Lotus – the very same car he raced in the 2012 World Championship at Circuit of The Americas,"

Starting price for this special Formula 1 GP Experience is $6,995 ($9,995 for COTA's Grand Prix track). Participants interested in riding as a passenger in the F1 three-seater can do so for $999. Additional laps in the Formula 1 racecar can be booked upon request.

The company will offers the Formula 1 drive experiences in major cities across the United States and in Monaco. The events are hosted by veteran racer Didier Theys, who also is the driving director for all DrivingXllence (DXL.us) events

The GP Experience is operated in affiliation with the Laurent Redon School (LRS Formula). A former Formula 1 and Indy car driver, Redon was a member of the prestigious Benetton F1 driving academy in 2000. LRS has operated in Europe as a F1 academy since 2003. The company currently operates in at more than 10 different tracks across Europe. LRS Formula oversees all prep for the Formula One racecars that comprise The GP Experience as well as the well-known and exclusive I Race Lotus program.