A Special Dirt Course Created for Just One Day

LEXUS operates under the brand slogan "AMAZING IN MOTION." As you know, the company engages in a variety of activities beyond just its products to embody this slogan. One of these is "LEXUS AMAZING EXPERIENCE." The concept is to "provide innovative and surprising experiences as a form of adult play."—Under this concept, LEXUS has previously organized a range of meticulously planned events for general users, including driving lessons, golf competitions, and luxurious vacation experiences abroad.

As part of this initiative, held in mid-October was theLEXUS AMAZING EXPERIENCE The 6th DRIVING LESSON in Miyako Islandevent. Set on Miyako Island, a remote island located approximately 290 km southwest of the main island of Okinawa, the event aimed to allow participants to enjoy driving various LEXUS models while honing their driving skills.

The event spanned three days and two nights. The first day was allocated for free driving around Miyako Island. I took the wheel of an "RC300h" and toured the southern paradise. Driving while taking in the breathtaking scenery of the azure sea and sky was a truly extraordinary experience for someone accustomed to the hustle and bustle of city life. However, even more amazing programs were prepared for the following day.

Held in February this year,the 5th Driving Lesson featured a special snow driving course at the Tokachi Speedway in Hokkaido."LEXUS AMAZING EXPERIENCE" has consistently offered special experiences. This time, on a vast site facing the sea on the southeastern side of Miyako Island, an authentic dirt course was created solely for this event. "We visited this location multiple times over four months to make this course a reality," said Taka-yuki Kinoshita, a racing driver who serves as the principal for LEXUS driving lessons. Standing on the elevated ground overlooking the entire course, I was simply breathless at its scale.

Adult Play That Engages Intellect and Senses

Two programs were prepared for this driving lesson. One was the "Dirt Track," where participants drove on the dirt course in two high-powered FR cars,GS FandRC F". The other was the "Off-Road Safari," navigating unpaved roads in theLX570". The instructors were also a stellar lineup: Tatsuya Kataoka, the 2015 Super GT GT300 class champion, and Tsugio Nitta, who holds the record for most wins in the Super GT GT300 class, led the "Dirt Track" session. Seiji Ara, a winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Kumi Sato, who competes in the Nürburgring 24 Hours race, guided the "Off-Road Safari."

One of the hallmarks of the LEXUS Driving Lesson is that it's open not only to LEXUS owners but also to non-owners. In fact, some participants were owners of imported cars. However, with special content prepared for each event and a limited number of spots, it is an extremely competitive selection. According to a representative from Lexus International, this event had a capacity for 5 groups (10 people), but the number of applicants was more than ten times that. One participant, who had finally been able to join after several attempts, shared this with a beaming smile.

The first experience was the "Dirt Track." The objective was to drive the RC F and GS F, sports cars with high power outputs of 477ps/530Nm, on a gravel course with low grip and slippery surfaces, allowing participants to experience their excellent handling characteristics while learning smooth driving techniques. The course began with a downhill straight, followed by a medium-speed left-hand corner, then a slightly steep uphill leading to a tight left-hand corner, a constant-radius turn, and finally an S-shaped section to the finish. The course was designed to be varied, fun, and challenging by utilizing the natural terrain.

After observing the instructor's driving from the passenger seat, it was finally my turn at the wheel. "On low-grip surfaces like this, every driver input significantly affects the car's behavior, so smoothness is key." I momentarily forgot the instructor's advice and pressed the accelerator too hard, causing the rear wheels to spin easily and preventing smooth acceleration. In corners, I had to brake decisively and carefully apply the accelerator after turn-in, otherwise the car would drift wide and not turn as intended. Flaws that go unnoticed on paved roads became glaringly apparent. With each subsequent lap, I reflected on my driving and worked to correct my mistakes. This process was incredibly enjoyable. Looking at the other participants, they too were gripping the steering wheel with a mixture of concentration and enjoyment. It reaffirmed my belief that sports driving is truly an adult pursuit that engages both intellect and senses.

A Lifestyle Brand Aiming to Enrich and Enhance Life

"This program is designed to showcase the full capabilities of a true off-road SUV, with downhill, uphill, and mogul sections. Let's go on an adventure together," said instructor Ara. The "Off-Road Safari" section truly offered an adventure, navigating unpaved roads in the LX570. The LX570 effortlessly cleared courses that made drivers question if they could actually get through, such as steep uphill climbs resembling walls and mogul sections with randomly placed large rocks. While the "Dirt Track" focused on skillfully extracting the excellent performance of the GS F and RC F, the "Off-Road Safari" left me awestruck by the LX570's off-road prowess.

The final program of the day was a time trial on the dirt track. However, instead of competing for the fastest lap time, the challenge was to get as close as possible to a predetermined target time. Participants declared their target time, either the expert time of 50 seconds or the basic time of 1 minute, and drove to achieve it. "Naturally, those with higher driving skills maintain a more stable drive, so aiming for the target time is essentially about refining one's own driving," explained Taka-yuki Kinoshita. Indeed, my own lap times varied by two to three seconds with each run, making me realize that I still had much to learn. From morning until dusk, the participants, including myself, were engrossed in driving.

During this event, participants stayed at "Konpeki The Villa All Suites," a resort hotel that opened last year on Irabu Island. Meals consisted of course menus prepared by the hotel's chef, utilizing local ingredients. Driving while enjoying spectacular views, learning the joy of controlling a car, and then soothing the pleasant fatigue with a luxurious villa and exquisite cuisine – each of these was, in its own way, an amazing experience. LEXUS is more than just a car brand; it is a lifestyle brand that aims to make life more enjoyable and fulfilling, with cars at its core. Reflecting on the three days spent in this southern paradise, I was once again convinced of this.