Every frequent internet user (that likely includes you!) knows that ads are tailored to your interests. As you might expect, my feed is flooded with car-related content. Xtreme Xperience, in particular, had been targeting me heavily for the past few years. Maybe you’ve seen their ads too; if not, they’re a company that lets you drive supercars on a racetrack at one of their events. It’s more affordable than owning a supercar, but it’s not exactly cheap. Prices for some cars start around $250 for three laps, with each lap lasting about a minute and a half. That price doesn’t include the required track insurance, which comes in various tiers. It’s a perfect “penny millionaire” experience: a splurge for the average person but still far from millionaire territory.
Eventually, the ads got to me, and I decided to give it a shot. I booked three dates at a racetrack in North Carolina, picked out my cars (an Audi R8, Nissan GTR, and Ferrari 488 GTB), and booked flights.
Overall, the experience was worth it. Being surrounded by car enthusiasts and exotic vehicles was a thrill on its own. However, some aspects of the event were surprisingly unorganized, particularly considering how well-oiled you’d expect a company like this to be. Here are my overall thoughts and final take on Xtreme Xperience:
The Good
Where else can you drive multiple supercars back-to-back on a real racetrack? In that regard, Xtreme Xperience delivered. I got to ride along in a Dodge Charger Hellcat and did three laps each in a Nissan GTR, Audi R8, and Ferrari 488 GTB. I walked away with some unforgettable memories and a handful of great photos.
The instructors were generally a highlight. Before driving, we had a 15-minute briefing that covered safety basics and set expectations. The instructors were friendly but firm, clearly focused on safety, and I left that meeting confident that everyone was taking the responsibility of driving half-million-dollar vehicles seriously.
The car selection was another positive. Xtreme Xperience offered a range of cars, from Porsches to Ferraris to Nissan Hellcats. Unless you were hoping to drive a Pagani, you could find something to fit your taste.
The Bad
The time behind the wheel was shorter than expected. Yes, each driving experience included three laps, but what wasn’t made clear on the website was that the first lap is just a warm-up. You don’t get to go full throttle right away. You start from a slow roll and follow other cars.
The second lap is your only real “racing” lap where you can push the car, but even that depends on other drivers. You have to wait for the instructor’s signal to pass slower cars.
The third lap is the cooldown. You can hit high speeds for about half of it, but then you’re told to ease up as you pull back into the pits. In the end, you get just over two full laps of speed for the price of three — and a lot of coasting around 60 mph, either waiting for your signal to go or to pass.
The most frustrating aspect was the lack of organization around scheduling. Online, I booked three specific time slots: 10:15 AM, 10:40 AM, and 11:20 AM, giving myself enough breathing room between each drive. But when I got to the track, those times were meaningless. It was purely first-come, first-served. Nobody checked my badge for time. Instead, you just got in line whenever your current ride was done. I ended up finishing around 1 PM — much later than the 11:30 AM I had planned for. I spent way more time waiting than expected.
Lastly, while most instructors were professional and encouraging, one stood out for the wrong reasons. My Ferrari 488 GTB instructor was noticeably less friendly. He seemed annoyed that I was braking earlier than he wanted and kept urging me to push the car harder than I was comfortable with. Every other instructor was focused on ensuring drivers felt safe and confident, but this guy was clearly frustrated with me.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Xtreme Xperience was a fun, memorable day, and I’m glad I did it. I got to drive supercars on a track for a decent (if not exactly cheap) price. I came away with some great photos, a clearer sense of what my dream car might be, and a story to tell. If you’re a car enthusiast with a bit of cash to burn, it’s worth doing once. Just be prepared for some disorganization and more downtime than you might expect.