Two months ago, approximately, I received an email from Travelzoo that contained their offers for the day. Towards the bottom was an offer from a company called Imagine Lifestyles. “$150 to drive a Ferrari or Lamborghini on a race track.” As a European car buff, needless to say I was highly interested. This is one of the items that is on my bucket list, or things I would like to do before I die.
I thought about it for a couple days. Talked with friends at work and my wife, my wife was hesitant, understandably so. One of my co-workers said, “You have to do this Chris! ” So I took the plunge, when else am I going to get the experience of a lifetime, and at such a reasonable price.
So I bought the Travelzoo voucher. I then held on to the voucher before redeeming it on Imagine Lifestyles website. I had questions… I had called Imagine Lifestyles to see if I could get answers to my questions. Me: “What cars are going to be at the event? ” IL: “We’re not sure yet, there will likely be 2 Ferraris and 2 Lamborghinis to choose from.” Me: “I would really like to make a day of this. Would I be able to hang out for the day and take pictures of the cars before and after my runs? ” IL: “Yes” Me: “Great! Is there any chance I can do ride-a-longs, with other drivers? ” IL: “Sure”
Okay now I am really excited! I proceed to book my experience on the IL website, 11:00am on Friday October 12th. That should give me plenty of time to travel to Tacoma, hang out, take pictures, do my 3 laps, and maybe get a couple ride-a-longs.
Two weeks before the event I get an email from IL stating they are having a change of venue; it is now going to be at Sanderson Airfield in Shelton Washington. I was so extremely excited! In the email they stated they did this to provide the level of satisfaction that their customers would appreciate. Also in the email was a picture of a Lamborghini Aventador. I replied to their email asking if the Aventador was going to be at the event. (Please note I never once expected the Aventador would be there) There reply was they are going to have 2 Lamborghinis at the event, “A Gallardo LP560-4 and a LP550-4” (Quick note here, to the best of my knowledge there is no LP550-4. I assumed they meant the LP550-2) Right away I knew what car I wanted to drive, the LP560-4.
The day of the event I travel 143 miles one way to Sanderson Airfield. I get there at about 8:15am, 2 hours and 45 minutes before I am supposed to drive. I walk in to the registration booth. She asks me, “Are you here to drive? ” Me: “Yes” IL: “Can I have your voucher and ID please? ” Me: “Okay, here you go.” IL: “Print and sign this.” (The track release) Me: “Okay” IL: “Okay go get your helmet.” Next tent… IL: “Here you go” Me: “I’m going to need a smaller one.” IL: “Okay here” Me: “I’m not supposed to be driving yet, my laps are at 11:00. I thought I could take some pictures of the cars.” IL: “Yes you can but you have to be outside the fence.” About 60-80 feet away. IL: “You need to put your helmet on.” Me: “Okay… I brought a GoCam, can I borrow one of your basses? ” IL: “No, if you want video you have to pay for it.” Me: “Can I take a picture of me and the car using my camera and tripod? ” IL: “No you have to pay if you want a picture” IL: “Go get in line to drive.” next tent… IL: “You’re here to drive a Ferrari? ” Me: “No” IL: “You’re in the wrong line” Me: “Oops sorry” (Please note there was no one in either line) So I go around to the other line. IL: “Alright sir this Lamborghini is ready to drive.” (LP550-2) Me: “I was hoping for the other Lamborghini.” IL: “This one is ready now, do you want to drive it or not? ” Reluctantly I went. I drove my 3 laps of their very small track, about 2-3 tenths of a mile each lap if I had to guess. IL: “Alright sir, please step out here. Go turn in your helmet there.” Next tent… IL: “Did you drive a Ferrari or Lamborghini? ” Me: “Lamborghini” IL: “Here” They handed me a business card with a picture of a Lamborghini on it, not the one I drove. Me: “When I talked to you guys on the phone I was told I can do ride-a-longs? ” IL: “Yes, ride-a-longs are $70 per lap.” I handed over my helmet, and stood there a couple minutes. I wasn’t sure what to do. I can’t take pictures, I can’t hang around the parked cars, the staff doesn’t seem overly friend to talk to, and so I left.
This is not what I was expecting from my “dream day”. I didn’t get to drive the car I wanted, I didn’t get to take pictures, I didn’t get to hang out for the day, I was lied to and mislead. That afternoon I posted my frustration on Imagine Lifestyles Facebook page.instead of addressing my concerns, or apologizing, they deleted my post. For a company this is committed to providing high levels of “Luxury and service”, they sure fell short here.
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