December 26, 2006 – Dallas, Texas – Enjoyment of the finer things in life has never been more within the reach of a larger number of Americans. Driving an exotic car for the day, traveling on a private jet, cruising the seas on a luxury yacht, even toting a designer purse around for the evening can all be done at a fraction of the cost of ownership. Making this possible are innovative new trends such as fractional ownership of exotic autos and car country clubs. The Rent Exotic Cars Network (www.RentExoticCars.net) is now linked to a new directory devoted to exotic and luxury car clubs. Exotic Car Clubs (www.ExoticCarClubs.com) includes listings of fractional ownership car clubs, and car country clubs across the United States and the world and has become the Internet’s most comprehensive source for information on these new trends. According to Fedor Suica, “It just makes sense that we are going to see more enthusiasts utilizing fractional ownerships, and even joining car country clubs, to enjoy these cars without the burden associated with outright ownership.” Suica, of Showcase Exotic Rentals (www.showcaseexoticrentals.com) in Newport Beach, CA, also serves as treasurer of the Exotic Auto Rental Association (www.exoticautorentalassoc.com). “These other extensions of the exotic auto rental business are in their infancy, but growing fast,” adds Ron Sturgeon. A leader in the exotic auto rental industry, Sturgeon is president of DFW Elite Auto Rental.com (www.DFWEliteAutoRental.com) in the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex. The fractional ownership concept for exotic automobiles is simple. A group of people share ownership of a fleet of exotic and luxury automobiles, spreading both the costs and benefits to each member. Once a person has joined the group, they gain access to all the positives – status, excitement, and the best possible driving experience – that come when you sit behind the wheel of a luxury automobile, yet with none of the issues – insurance, maintenance, or storage — that come with owning high performance automobiles. For a member in good standing, once you’ve scheduled your car, you can just get in and go. Car country clubs take a different approach to membership, more similar to what might be found in a golf country club. Club activities would typically be centered on a road racing course, managed and maintained by a third party. An individual owning one or more luxury or exotic cars would join a car country club to use the private track for performance driving or serious hobby pursuits. The tracks are safe, laid out for speed, and the whole environment is designed to help bring out the best in participating owner-drivers. Car country members are also usually offered the optioned of top end garaging for their prized vehicles.
In a Wall Street Journal article last year, Rachel Emma Silverman said, “The clubs are opening at a time when interest in collector cars is booming. In addition to favorable demographics – a big cohort of wealthy baby boomers who grew up during the height of American car culture – televised car races and reality television shows featuring car makeovers have also driven interest.” It’s a trend worth watching, says Cheryl Lyman, the Pres. of CS Publications, and webmaster for Rent Exotic Cars.net.
