Lifestyles Of The Rich But Not Necessarily Famous

"Torque Affair" (torqueaffair)
08/01/2015 at 12:01 • Filed to: TRACK DAY

One of the best track days at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) since the track was built was the one held by !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . As usual, when they showed up at COTA, I drove back into the pit lane area, loitered, picked my nose, looked confused and wandered around aimlessly. In the process of doing so, I came across some of the most gorgeous racing machines ever created. This was nothing short of a true !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

When I happened to come across a film produced by Corsa Vita about their track weekend that I attended (there is a whole event here besides just track time), I was mainly focused on finding whether or not I was somewhere in the video. After spending several hours analyzing every frame, I was nowhere to be found. Oh well. My non-existence in the video aside, it was fascinating to get a behind-the-scenes look at the event.

Generally when I see exotic car owners and drivers walking around and chatting at a place like COTA, I think to myself: “How do they have so much money to do this?” Immediately afterwards I tell myself: “Whoever said money doesn’t buy happiness is so wrong.” Of course, I’m just joking - we all know that money cannot buy happiness. It just makes it so easy to be happy.

In this Corsa Vita documentary, you’ll get to hear some of the thoughts of the drivers and participants of Corsa Vita. Their passion for racing is evident and I can’t imagine that anything could be more fun than what they do. I mean - come on - who wouldn’t love to race Ferraris and Lamborghinis as a hobby! It sure beats knitting wool sweaters.

Here are a few things that stood out to me when I was watching “A Track Lifestyle Story”.

Some Great Shots

When I’m physically at the track in the pit lane area, all I can do is just catch a glimpse of the cars as they fly by me faster than it takes me to say “Why can’t I own one of those? Life is so unfair!” Being able to see these cars on film is always a treat and Corsa Vita makes them look even better than than they do in real life.

The film crew has done an excellent job compiling all the shots of the cars racing around the track. It’s nice to know that these exotic cars are actually being driven the way they’re supposed to instead of just sitting around in a giant Home Depot parking lot at a car show. COTA is one of the few places where owners bring out their supercars to have fun and I love it.

Besides the cars themselves, there is some amazing track footage of COTA - my favorite is a shot of the tower at COTA at 2:06 in the film which is quite breathtaking.

Lamborghinis

There is a lot of focus on Lamborghinis in the “Track Lifestyle Story”. What I found surprising was just how much power these Lambos can handle. Apparently there are quite a few Lambos out there generating up to 2000 hp that the cars can handle with no issues. That’s insane! What do you even do with 2000 hp?? Can you even drive one normally?

That’s 10 times as much power as a Honda Civic Si - ten times! Lambos have always been extreme, but this level of extreme is something that most of us would have a tough time comprehending.

Some Really Great Austin Footage

Being from Austin, I always appreciate any time I catch my city in a movie or a video. At 9:40 there is some gorgeous footage of downtown Austin and the ever-changing skyline. If you have any interest in Austin, you should definitely check it out and if you don’t have any interest - what’s wrong with you?

Revelation

I had an “aha” moment at the 5:30 mark. Here you will find one of the mechanics sharing a story about him being from a small town and how being able to work on exotics was something that he not only dreamed about but was able to make happen. Why didn’t I think of that?! Clearly, if you’re not uber-rich, the best way to get close to these cars is to actually work on one. Can you imagine all the supercar test driving that goes along with a job like this?

I think I could really enjoy the life of a supercar mechanic - except for the actual “working on the car” part. If I could somehow rush through the repairs, or skip that whole part actually, and get to driving the car, that would be a dream for me. Hmm..I should start searching for “exotic car post-repair test driving technician” job postings.

Charity Work

I’m glad that these track days exist because they do, in fact, benefit charities since the vast majority of participants are generally wealthy when it comes to these exclusive supercar events. Corsa Vita does a nice job of highlighting the good work that’s being done alongside all the fun that the participants get to have.

Good causes and charities need lots of money to survive and affect change so I’m always appreciative when there are opportunities for folks with resources to be able to assist those in need.

Last Thoughts

The documentary could’ve been a few minutes shorter. Admittedly, I started dozing through some parts of it, although I did enjoy the majority of the film.

“A Track Lifestyle Story” also makes it seem like anyone can enjoy this, but the truth is, you have to have money. And LOTS of it. But hey, perhaps watching this film will make you want to earn lots of money. I, for one, am itching to get my hands on one of these sweet cars and must figure out how to make it happen. Maybe I should rob a bank.

If you are in a position to enjoy spending your money on racing high performance supercars, then Corsa Vita is definitely something you should take a look at. I’m sure it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Overall, I enjoyed watching the video since it does give you a glimpse into the world of a group of folks who love racing their supercars. The filmography is great and there are some interesting interviews. If you’re an auto enthusiast, give this one a look - at the very least it will shorten your work day by 23 minutes.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is about exploring my fascination with cars; I’m always on the lookout for things that interest me in the car world. Like !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and follow !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !

DISCUSSION (55)

Stef Schrader > Torque Affair
08/01/2015 at 13:15

“It’s built for this. It’s built for speed. It’s built for being on a track.” guy = new hero.

Can I get an aaaaaaamen?

Nisman > Torque Affair
08/01/2015 at 14:07

Cool article! I must say that money certainly does buy happiness, but the length of that happiness tends to be very short.

Bearded Bastard > Nisman
08/01/2015 at 14:19

A good way to put is, money doesn't buy happiness, it facilitates it.

Color-Commentary > Torque Affair
08/01/2015 at 14:26

Nowadays you can lease a $200k car for $2k/month. If you’re making $100-150k, it’s attainable. Not financially responsible, mind you, but attainable.

Mr. Ligier 812 GTC4Lusso Rubicon Pista > Color-Commentary
08/01/2015 at 14:49

And $0 down. On my, let’s say $200K cash for the car, I could otherwise easily return $30K/yr (if you’re broker is making you less than 12-15% annually right now, find a new broker). That covers my $2K/mo lease. And for me, that’s awesome, because I’m sitting on the car AND $6K I otherwise wouldn’t have. PLUS I still have $200K in my pocket. Now let’s say in 3 years I don’t want the car anymore. I’ve paid $72K on the lease, but the car has depreciated $70K (less if it’s Ferrari, way more if it’s a McLaren). So I’m even on my out of pocket, but I’m still sitting pretty on my cash in hand, PLUS no hassle of getting rid of the car. On top of that, I’ve only paid tax on the lease payments, NOT the full $200K.

So yes, it can be financially responsible, in so much as buying a $200K supercar via any means is remotely “financially responsible”. Also, BTW, because Ferrari Financial and other supercar lending groups are so awesome, they don’t report to credit bureaus, so no debt shows up on your debt statements :~)>

Dream Theater of the Absurd > Stef Schrader
08/01/2015 at 15:07

Preach it, sister!

willmederski > Torque Affair
08/01/2015 at 15:13

wait. when the hell was this?!

i try to keep an eye on the track and local clubs, and wish i hadn’t missed this!

camhabib > Torque Affair
08/01/2015 at 15:16

Is it just me or does anyone else get an uneasy feeling seeing a Lambo on a track?

Color-Commentary > Mr. Ligier 812 GTC4Lusso Rubicon Pista
08/01/2015 at 15:20

Indeed.

I suppose the downside is if you wad the car up at a track day, now you’ve got a real out-of-pocket liability. I saw two young guys with brand-new matching Gallardo Superleggeras tangle the cars up with each other going into T1 at Sears Point one day, and I’m guessing that was a big hit to the wallet for both of them.

willmederski > Torque Affair
08/01/2015 at 15:26

maybe i’m just getting old, but it seems lambos and even mclarens have lost the ‘exotic’ charm they held.

whereas i could look at vintage race cars all day, much of these cars strike me as “You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.” amazing track toys certainly, but just lacking soul.

Torque Affair > willmederski
08/01/2015 at 15:53

Yeah, I see your point. Especially when you go out to one of these track days at COTA, the supercars are a dime a dozen

Torque Affair > willmederski
08/01/2015 at 15:54

I think it was some time in February of this year - I did the original write-up here.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/here-is-how-th…

Torque Affair > Nisman
08/01/2015 at 15:55

You are correct! Extremely short indeed.

SouthTexGopher > Torque Affair
08/01/2015 at 15:58

“ If you have any interest in Austin, you should definitely check it out and if you don’t have any interest - what’s wrong with you?”

I live in San Antonio.

I have no interest in Austin.

Torque Affair > SouthTexGopher
08/01/2015 at 16:02

That’s fair!

menarescumbags_ > Torque Affair
08/01/2015 at 17:05

This only highlights the problems with capitalism.

aglawyer > SouthTexGopher
08/01/2015 at 17:06

Also in San Antonio. Really dislike Austin- too much traffic, too many hipsters, too full of itself.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Torque Affair
08/01/2015 at 17:14

Try working there. The only 2 road cars to really impress me this year have been a McLaren F1 and a Pagani Huayra. I don’t even bother turning my head for 458s or Lamborghinis any more.

Jason Channell > Clown Shoe Pilot
08/01/2015 at 17:21

How about a new Ducati Panigale or the new R1?

Clown Shoe Pilot > Jason Channell
08/01/2015 at 17:27

those might get my attention

fintail > willmederski
08/01/2015 at 17:44

I live in an area where those cars are almost daily sightings. Doesn’t impress me much anymore. Then again, my head will turn more when I see a Datsun 810 (woody no less) than some luckybro in a new Lambo.

fintail > Mr. Ligier 812 GTC4Lusso Rubicon Pista
08/01/2015 at 17:46

Many plain jane premium cars, the Germans especially with subsidized leases, can also pencil out to be a good deal.

Not to mention it doesn’t seem uncommon for the guillotine set to write them off for “business” use, too.

SouthTexGopher > aglawyer
08/01/2015 at 18:17

You. I like you.

I really dislike Austin. I absolutely love our down to earth city, our wonderful people and our incredible food.

Mr. Ligier 812 GTC4Lusso Rubicon Pista > Color-Commentary
08/01/2015 at 19:12

Well that's a big hit either way. Always, always make sure your insurance covers whatever it is you're doing. If it doesn't, get event specific insurance. I had someone destroy my LP560 on track at Thunderhill. Had the HDPE insurance. Paid me out in a week.

Stuttgart Shuffle > Nisman
08/01/2015 at 20:28

Don’t kid yourself, you’d be happy every day if you could look at a garage filled with your heros.

PatBateman > Stef Schrader
08/01/2015 at 21:09

Ahhhhhhhh-Meeeeeennnnnnnnnn...

Color-Commentary > Mr. Ligier 812 GTC4Lusso Rubicon Pista
08/01/2015 at 21:11

Interesting! Thanks for the tip.

PatBateman > aglawyer
08/01/2015 at 21:11

If you are an Aggie (as your SN suggests), your argument is invalidated due to pre-existing bias.

AlexPDX > willmederski
08/01/2015 at 22:02

This x10000000000000

Lincoln Clown Car > Torque Affair
08/01/2015 at 22:37

That’s 10 times as much power as a Honda Civic Si - ten times!

Yeah, but my Si has VTEC, yo, so we’re about even.

Frenchlicker > Lincoln Clown Car
08/02/2015 at 01:46

You forgot the mandatory “Yo.”

whoapower > Clown Shoe Pilot
08/02/2015 at 02:24

I was there that day and wow... just wow! Of course P1’s area amazing but I couldn’t take my eyes off the Paganis nor the F1.

whoapower > Torque Affair
08/02/2015 at 02:26

Only issue with the video, @2:38, he says The Drivers Edge ( www.thedriversedge.net ), but it was Edge Addicts ( www.edgeaddicts.com ) who hosted the event. They both host events at COTA regarly. The Lambo event was quite a bit of fun.

aglawyer > PatBateman
08/02/2015 at 07:19

I am an Aggie, but my dislike for Austin goes beyond the fact that it is the home of my alma mater’s former arch-nemesis. I did live in Austin for a short time, and, still, dislike it. Further, I am one of the current generation of Aggies who feel the era of UT being a nemesis has passed. I do not advocate for the return of an annual face-off, in any sport. At this point, there’s no upside for A&M in that situation- either we win, which wouldn’t be all that surprising, given current circumstances, but still gives UT a recruiting weekend, or we lose, which equates to a recruiting advantage for UT. Of note, recruiting remains the only playing field on which we continue to compete against UT.

Otherwise, we have surpassed UT in size, annual athletics profit (not revenue, yet), research expenditures, “best value” education, and a whole host of other factors, athletic and non-athletic.

aglawyer > SouthTexGopher
08/02/2015 at 07:19

TACOS! Living in a 1M+ city, but with doable traffic, and that small-town vibe!

jtso > aglawyer
08/02/2015 at 12:57

Too full of non-Austinites. The traffic and hipsters didn’t drop out of the sky.

jtso > Torque Affair
08/02/2015 at 13:01

No need to be rich. This vid is what most people feel after a track day, especially their first.

Most people are like the Lambo guy who hated the turns and just wanted to see a top speed, but after a while they realize how satisfying it is to execute a corner perfectly.

Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. > Torque Affair
08/02/2015 at 13:08

I spent the week in Austin, and hands down the best part of the week was supercar spotting in the Downtown area. Sadly, my co-travelers were not interested in a trio to COTA. Seeing a GTR, a 458, numerous Hellcats, and an AMG GT all in the wild on the streets is an experience that is hard to beat (for free).

Lincoln Clown Car > Frenchlicker
08/02/2015 at 13:46

Au contraire, Mr. Licker sir.

Frenchlicker > Lincoln Clown Car
08/02/2015 at 15:01

My mind must have just skipped over it. I blame a cracked phone screen.

Dirty987S > Torque Affair
08/02/2015 at 15:09

Oh dear Sandrine, have you never travelled outside your beloved USA with regards to other motorsport venues? Really COTA, the most “impressive” track in the world? I live within 1 hr from each the Nurburgring and Spa-Francorchamps and gonna roll the dice here and say Spa for sure is the definition of impressive.

Torque Affair > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S.
08/02/2015 at 16:40

Yeah I remember them driving up to the W.

Torque Affair > Dirty987S
08/02/2015 at 16:41

I actually haven’t traveled outside of the US specifically for racing. But yeah I’m sure Spa and Nurburgring are in a class of their own.

Mat.G > Torque Affair
08/03/2015 at 00:53

Oi! You leave knitting out of this! It never did anything to you.

Also i am now wondering how hard it would be to knit a Ferrari. BRB calling my Nan.

Torque Affair > Mat.G
08/03/2015 at 06:07

haha...you’re right! It never did.

Splendo > Torque Affair
08/03/2015 at 12:13

Kinja'd!!!

Best part of video:

“Hey, that Wolf looks familiar.” :D

Edge Addicts and Indigo Auto Group are both first class organizations, that’s for sure. I took part in Indigo’s Cars4Kids event the last couple Christmases. Giving presents to the kids at the hospital is more fun than being on track.

ecafsub > jtso
08/03/2015 at 16:22

Hey, Joe! How ya been! Talk to Fizzy lately?

FutureHeelToeHistorian > willmederski
08/03/2015 at 17:19

Agreed. Current supercars have performance that inspires awe, but they don’t beguile like they used to.

This is the era of the mass produced supercar. (I mean that historically, not compared to Camrys). They are outrageous to drive, but they are meant to appeal and dynamically be accessible to an increasingly wide customer base. This dilutes the magic a little... But it also means they should depreciate like hell in 15 years, so I won’t complain.

Torque Affair > Splendo
08/03/2015 at 19:03

That’s awesome! Haven’t heard of Indigo but their event sounds great.

jtso > ecafsub
08/03/2015 at 19:39

Holy crap, is that Og?

Splendo > Torque Affair
08/04/2015 at 09:40

Indigo owns Lambo Houston and Porsche North Houston.

ecafsub > jtso
08/04/2015 at 10:19

Guilty as charged :)

ecafsub > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S.
08/04/2015 at 10:26

The first F1 race here, downtown was lousy with supercars and their d-bag owners. I recall a photo of some Saudi prince in his Lambo with his pet leopard. If I could find it, I’d post it. Ugh...

jtso > ecafsub
08/04/2015 at 12:16

Cool. Nope, haven’t talked to Fizz in a LONG time. I thought you and he still hung out. I discovered Treefort, but it’s weird and no one posts there. Well, maybe 3 others. If you are also still in Austin we should get sushi some time.

ecafsub > jtso
08/05/2015 at 13:10

we are indeed. drop me a line, this username at gmail.