Fast Times

We at the Vegas Guide are slowly coming to terms with the fact that we’re probably never going to own a supercar. Unless our bullish investment in scratch-off tickets pays off in a big way, we’re pretty sure the most exotic mode of transportation we’ll ever own are (fake) Italian loafers.

So imagine our delight upon discovering Exotics Racing, a unique Vegas driving experience that allows you — yes, boring old regular you — to take to the track in any of 30 swanky supercars.

With its own private track inside the Las Vegas Motor Speedway complex, Exotics Racing is dream-come-true driving just 20 minutes from the Sin City Strip (limo and shuttle service are available).

An Exotics Racing excursion begins with brief yet detailed classroom instruction covering basics like braking and turning, plus techie track terms like “apex” and “redline” that you’ll just love dropping later at the hotel bar. Genial staff members (as opposed to professional show-offs) welcome drivers of all experience levels.

Next come ride-along familiarization laps around Exotics’ 1.2-mile private track (designed by co-owner Romain Thievin, a champion French racecar driver who was Matt Damon’s stunt double in “The Bourne Identity”).

Then it’s time for the kid-in-a-candy-store sensation of choosing your fantasy car for the behind-the-wheel real deal.

This is where Exotics Racing really pulls away from the pack. By assembling the world’s largest fleet of supercars — over $6 million dollars’ worth of the latest and greatest from the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, McLaren, and Aston Martin — it offers the most varied and customizable driving experience anywhere. You can even choose a combo package of up to 13 different drool-inducing rides (and don’t worry if you don’t know your way around a stick shift — all cars are equipped with steering wheel paddle-shifters).

Exotics Racing packages start at $199 (for five laps in a Porsche Cayman R), although cheaper ride-along packages are available. Exotics’ packages include insurance and require no security deposits.

Slipping on a high-tech helmet as your car of choice gets prepped, you’ll feel like the most interesting man in the world (not the guy from the commercial, we’re talking about the actual most interesting man in the world: Burt Reynolds). Once on the track, with a professional driver in the passenger seat both pushing and protecting you, you’ll be surprised at how rapidly your lap times improve.

But don’t be shocked to find yourself signing up for additional circuits and cars on the spot. At the end of the day, you’ll do just about anything to put off driving back to the Strip in your own rust-colored 1993 Nissan Sentra.

—Paul Rogers, Brand Publishing Writer