EXR Racing set for February 2016 launch

In 2009, amid the global economic tailspin, Romain Thievin and David Perisset came to Las Vegas and founded Exotics Racing, a super car experience where for as little as $199 anyone could drive one of the world's most desirable sports cars flat out around a racetrack. They were told by more than one that they'd be out of business with the year. Six years later, they are not only in business, but they are thriving, and according to them, welcome some 45,000 customers per year.

In February of 2016, the pair are betting that their next, somewhat audacious venture, will defy convention and see success equal to that of the super car driving experience. EXR Racing Series, like its driving experience sibling, aims to bring competitive and contemporary racing to the masses. While there are several other well-known and established options for both neophyte and experienced racers to get involved in competitive and affordable racing, the operative word for EXR Racing Series is contemporary.

At the center of this claim is the car that forms the basis of the series. Dubbed the EXR LV02, it has evolved from the Mitjet 2L, a car that has been successfully raced in a variety of European series since 2006. Built in France, the tube-frame chassis car with a fiber-glass silhouette body reminiscent of a popular major series, is powered by a 2-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder Renault engine delivering 230 horsepower at 7,500 rpm. The transmission is a Sadev 6-speed sequential with paddle-operated shifters on the steering wheel, and power is delivered to both rear wheels via a locking differential.

Weighing in at 1,653 pounds, the EXR LV02 rides on meaty, semi-slick Yokohama Advan 255/40/R18 tires with AP Racing ventilated discs (4-piston front, 2-piston rear) providing the stopping power. For the driver, there is an FIA-certified racing seat, six-point harness, and color LED display with integrated on-board video and data acquisition. In short, it looks, sounds and drives the part of what the contemporary motorsport enthusiast is looking for when they seek to emulate the modern stars of the sport in their own racing.

"We heard from many people both here and in Europe that there are many very good race series for amateur racers, but that none of them felt "real" or looked the part," said Perisset.

In essence, EXR Racing Series is trying to address a challenge for today's hobbyist racer. Unlike many other sports and activities where weekend warriors can use the identical or near-identical equipment that the pros use, auto racers can't even come close to driving the cars they watch the pros drive on a Sunday afternoon. At least visually, the EXR LV02 looks the part of the real, modern racecar both inside and out. But how does it perform? We got the chance to take one for a 10-lap spin at the Exotics Racing facility at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.

Before we get in the car, there are other elements that help to deliver the authenticity of the racing experience. EXR Racing will begin by racing at both of the company's own tracks in California, and their flagship facility in Las Vegas on the grounds of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Both facilities have a driver lounge and hospitality area that immediately recalls a Formula 1-style venue with modern furniture, loads of glass and sleekly appointed personnel attending your every need.

While racers will be allowed use their own safety gear, for those that don't own any, a top-end Sparco suit, gloves, and shoes will be available of use as part of the event fee as well as an equally top-end Bell helmet and HANS device. Driver coaches include 2013 IndyCar Rookie of the Year, Tristan Vautier and Australian V8 Supercars Volvo factory driver Alexandre Premat, who also did stints with Audi and Mercedes-Benz. For those competing in the series there is an opportunity to work with driver coaches who are not just active racers, but very much still at the heart of their careers.

And, while the series itself has plans to race at some of North America's iconic road circuits, including Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Sept. 24, the majority of races will take place on their own purpose-built tracks that are lined in F1-style TecPro barriers, gravel traps and course markings that emulate those found at most contemporary F1 circuits. It all lends to the feeling of being fresh, new and looking the part. But, back to the test drive.

As with many amateur series using a spec car, the EXR LV02 is – for anyone who has had a bit of track time – a car that's easy to get into the sweet spot very quickly. Having no experience with the car or the track, my lap time was quickly at the low target time. Yet, getting to that pinnacle target time will require more skill and many more laps. Given that the car is based on a sedan architecture versus a single-seater or prototype, the driving position and feel will be instantly familiar. Power comes on smoothly and evenly so you're immediately at ease with going full throttle and gear changes both up and down the gear box are snap both in speed of the gear change as well as ease of use.

From a handling point of view, it's a very stable platform. Lifting off the throttle doesn't induce sudden weight transfer that snaps the rear end forward, and braking always felt surefooted. It made trail braking all the way to corner apex a breeze. Springs and dampers are taut and there's little in the way of perceptible body roll, yet there's enough compression to put weight where you want it without feeling like you're on the very edge of adhesion.

For the newbie racer, it will flatter your talents in a good way, the kind of way that inspires the confidence needed to keep pushing harder. For the more advanced racer, it's the kind of car that makes you work very hard to get the last 1 percent out of it. It will force you to be on your game, every lap, every corner because if you are not, your opponents will get the best of you and catching back up will not be easy.

The EXR Racing Series will kick off on Feb. 20, 2016 in Las Vegas with 12 rounds confirmed through the end of October. Only a driver's eight best results will count toward an overall championship, taking some of the pressure off both time and expense for most weekend racers. Saturday of the race weekend will culminate in a 20-lap sprint race having already completed a 20-minute practice and 20-minute qualifying. For just a single race with all the trimmings, racers will pay $4990 or for a double-race $6,990.

Additional lapping and coaching sessions can also be purchased and potentially scheduled at the customer's convenience. Sunday will be based around endurance events, requiring two drivers per car and racing from two hours to six hours at a cost between $4,995 to $6,663 per driver, depending on the duration and the event.

Finally, EXR Racing Series will also offer a three-day racing school with the potential to earn an SCCA license for those who successfully meet all the requirements.

"We have many big ambitions for the EXR Racing Series," says Perriset. "But just as we did with the Exotics Racing business, we are going grow aggressively, yet methodically."

Whether EXR Racing Series attains the lofty ambitions of its owners or not remains to be seen. What is certain is that they have put together some impressive underpinnings that make it a very compelling option.