You know the saying, “...and this time... it’s personal.” That’s how I felt about heading out to Exotics Racing in Las Vegas. This time, it was going to be personal, as this may have been the last time I would race here. The last couple cars I’ve taken out have been a little disappointing, de-tuned just a little too much, and not living up to their marketing potential. Why am I paying all this money to go out in cars that don’t even perform as well as my BMW? However, with Formula 1 season ready to start in just a few more weeks, I wanted to treat myself to one last drive, with one last iconic car: the McLaren 570 S. Understand that by the time I’m driving the 570 S, the car is already two years old and two generations behind the current model, the Mclaren 720 S, but what the heck, the overall package of the car is pretty much the same so let’s go give it a shot.

Interestingly enough, after all the times I've been to Exotics Racing, I had never actually seen the McLaren on site at Exotics Racing. I thought maybe the car was the thing of myths and legends, an automotive Unicorn eluding me all this time. Well it turns out some myths are based in fact, and walking out to the stable of cars, not only was I able to see the 570 S that I was scheduled to drive, but there were actually two of them there! Wow, sitting there in front of me, viewing both cars there, it suddenly occurred to me, this is same McLaren Orange for their Formula One color scheme. The orange color scheme here reflects back on the original days of Bruce McLaren's Formula One entries, a rich, bright, orange color scheme with black accent. To be honest, looking at the images of the car on the web and on TV, it looks kind of corny. But as I approach the McLaren here, this Fast Orange as I call it, it occurred to me this McLaren Orange is pretty damn cool!

So we head out to start our drive, I’m join by Hayden, the instructor from Exotics Racing. We head to the car and I notice the drops of rain. Oh boy, not only am I gonna take out this super car, a car known for its lightness, and this is the first time I’m driving it, but it’s raining? Yikes, a little intimidating. Hayden reassures me that the car can handle the rain, so pony up and let's get going!

The interior of the 570s is sparse. As in sparse. As in nothing much other than a button to start the car, a steering wheel to point it in the right direction and a gas pedal give make it go. It’s cramped but cozy. This feels like a sports car, I could just imagine what this space would be like as a daily driver.  We exit the pit area and pull up to the limit line to check the course and make sure I'm cleared for entry. Hayden gives me the go and I punch it right off the bat. None of this easing into it I figure if I’m driving a McLaren, I want to see what this thing can do, and fortunately, I found out.

Coming off that first turn, I nail it and as I shift into fourth, I can feel the G's push me back into the seat. Thank God! Finally, this car is living up to my dreams of a supercar.  The car is nimble, but almost to light. As I come to the end of the front straight, I can feel the front end bouncing around. It actually gives me a little chill as I wonder, "Is a wheel out of balance? Or is this the lightness of the front end at high-speed?"  Fortunately, just as the front end starts bouncing, it’s time to slam on the brakes, and slam they do. I apply a couple hundred pounds of pressure and the car jams down to a crawl a good hundred feet short of the turn. Wow! That was fast, and it totally throws off my timing as the tone of the track is set up primarily for softer drivers. The next couple of turns I have to override Hayden‘s commands to brake. He’s probably getting a little upset with me, but I don’t care. The car still takes a little getting used to but I’m actually enjoying it.

I pass a couple of Lamborghini's, a Ferrari. Then I'm told to slow down and let the ride-along car pass us, a pro driver in a Ferrari taking a passenger out for a run. Racing in mind, I stick to the bumper and I'm determined to get my money's worth and not let him get too far away. But then he pulls into pit lane so now I'm jamming on my own, feeling like a racer. And just then, as my Nirvana approaches, the back end kicks out and the fish-tail wakes me up! Oh snap! I don't know what catches me off guard more; the minor little slide out of the rear-end, or the fact that Hayden reaches across to grab the steering wheel so fast? Easy cowboy, I got this. I ease off the gas and the car settles back into the rhythm of the turn. But as quickly as it steps out, I step back on the gas and we punch it down the straight. That shift from 3rd to 4th is as good as it gets. The engine really comes to life, although there is still a slight turbo lag to deal with, the McLaren really gets moving. Oh man, this is fun!

After the run, 10 laps in all, I realize, there's no way I'm giving this up. So June is my birthday visit, and next up: the Nurburgring record smashing Lamborghini Performante. Oh, and this time, it's really personal!