Ray Chang cashed out his 401(k) to buy his first Ferrari, a used red 360 Modena with tan interior that cost $100,000. And that was the start of The Motorsport Lab, an exotic car experience that puts drivers behind the wheel of iconic vehicles like Ferraris and Lamborghinis. The company stages autocross events — driving through a winding course marked with traffic cones — laid out in large parking lots usually located at malls, stadiums, or colleges.
Chang and his team of “driving sherpas” provide safety and steering instructions, then ride next to — or drive — car enthusiasts while they sample the speed and handling of a sleek V10 Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari 360 Modena, or Ferrari F430.
“It’s all about discovering of the raw power and stunning looks of these supercars,” said Chang, whose passengers have included 80-year-old grandmothers and eight-year-old boys. He spoke about the euphoria of a 493 horsepower engine that can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in under five seconds.
“Just the keys alone for a Lamborghini cost three grand. That says it all. The rarity, cost, and liability of these high-performance cars is why driving them is on many people’s bucket lists. They symbolize the ultimate lifestyle, and no one builds a better race car than the folks at Ferrari. I wanted to make these futuristic, cool-looking cars accessible to the average person without costing a fortune.
“With the autocross car control event, drivers get three laps around the course while sitting or driving in these exotic cars. I have 10 cars— five Ferraris (red, yellow, black) and five Lamborghinis (gun metal gray, orange) — that are also used for road rallies, corporate experiences, and racing lessons. Six of them are always active at events across the country; the others are back-up cars.
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“The cars are served every week on a meticulous schedule, and it’s not cheap. It seems I drop 5 to 6 grand every time they’re in the shop. It’s $500 for an oil change; $1,000 just for tires, which we go through on a weekly basis. And you have to hope and pray that they don’t break down in August, because that’s when Italy seems to be closed down for the whole month and it’s hard to get parts.
“But it’s all worth it, because being inside a supercar is like being in a reality show starring yourself. I myself never get tired of the experience. But my everyday car is boring. It’s a white Rav 4.”
Cindy Atoji Keene can be reached at cindy.atoji@gmail.com.