Do you dream of a pumping car that goes from 0 to 100 km/h in a few seconds? You don't have to make room in your garage and your wallet right away. You can rent a supersport for a while and enjoy the adrenaline rush of driving. Where is this possible and what does it entail?
Article content:
- What does the term supersport mean?
- A quick tour through the history of supersports
- Where to ride a supersport in the Czech Republic
- What can you ride in the Czech Republic?
- How much does it cost to ride a supersport
- How to experience a supersport ride
- Who is a supersport ride for and who should skip it?
- Risks of supersport riding
href="https://www.adrop.cz/enWhat does the term supersport mean?
Supersport is a term associated with cars (and motorcycles) that are designed and built for high performance, refined design and superior handling. These vehicles are designed primarily for sporting purposes. And for the pleasure of the eye. It is also essential that you can legally drive them into traffic.
Supersports have aerodynamically shaped bodies, often with rear wings and diffusers to provide sufficient downforce and stability at higher speeds. The interior of such sports cars is often minimalist, with a focus on reducing weight and improving the driving experience. Last but not least, they are also significantly more expensive than their current competitors.
The definition of supercars was (and actually still is) rather subjective. According to one interpretation, the term supercar was used until the 1990s to refer to a two-seater mid-size car with at least 8 cylinders, a minimum power output of 400 hp (298 kW) and a top speed of at least 290 km/h (290 mph). According to another interpretation, it was enough that the car was fast with correspondingly sporty driving characteristics. It also had to be elegant and eye-catching.
But the super sports didn't stop there. There are even hypersports on the market that are just a hair faster. The term was coined at the same time as the Bugatti Veyron was launched with 1,001 horsepower and a top speed of over 400 km/h. But it's not just about speed, hypersports are also separated from super sports by price and exclusivity, it's just a slightly rarer item on the market.
href="https://www.adrop.cz/enA quick tour through the history of super sports
The first car to have the super sport designation in its name was a Chevrolet. Or rather, Super Sport (with the abbreviation SS) was an option package on a limited number of cars from the Chevrolet stable. It was first available for the 1961 Impala.
1920s
The term super sport (or super car in English) began to be used in the 1920s, but it was not until the mid-1950s that sports cars with truly exceptional performance appeared on the market.
1960s and 1970s
The Lamborghini Miura (produced between 1966 and 1973) is considered the first true supercar, with a mid-engined engine that was designed from the start as a road car. Other significant events of the 1960s include the creation of the Ford GT 40, which came about as a result of Ferrari refusing to join Ford. This stinger proved to the world that performance and refined design could go hand in hand.
The oil shock of the early 1970s marked the emergence of supercars to the point where their future looked bleak. Fortunately, the car industry survived and gave birth to legends such as the Porsche 911 Turbo and the Lamborghini Countach.
The 1980s
The 1980s, on the other hand, were very fruitful. The supercar market thrived so much that prices shot up nicely. And it was here that the legendary rivalry between Porsche and Ferrari flared up. The Ferrari stable was attracted by the first road racing car, the Ferrari F40, with a speed of around 320 km/h, while Porsche came out with the fastest production car for road use, the Porsche 959, which reached speeds of around 317 km/h. Both models were hugely influential in the further development of the supercar.
The modern era
However, the present day shows us that supercars are no longer just the domain of internal combustion engines. The Tesla S Plaid electric car, with a 0-100 km/h time of 2.1 seconds and over 1,000 horsepower, could tell a story.
And you wonder if any supercars could be found in our country?
Sure! For example, the Tatra automobile company has several supercharged sports cars, such as the Tatra Graphite with a top speed of 341 km/h and 400 hp.
href="https://www.adrop.cz/enWhere to ride a supercar in the Czech Republic
Where to go for an adrenaline-fuelled ride in a supercar?
Driving a supersport on motorways and motorways
Do you have a driving licence and fancy a ride in a supercharged sports car? No problem, driving a supercar in traffic is suitable for all male and female drivers. After all, you'll be driving in an environment that's familiar to you. But even if you don't take to the track, you'll still get a taste of the awesome acceleration and refined handling.
You can rent many models in Prague and Brno, of course, but also in many other cities such as Ostrava, Pilsen, Hradec Králové and Ústí nad Labem.
Driving in a supersport on a racing circuit or on a polygon
It takes a bit more experience behind the wheel to drive on the circuit. You'll need a fairly good physique and plenty of strength in your arms and legs. The track on the circuit is wide enough, which can be tricky. Driving at higher speeds leads to a narrower field of vision, so if you're doing 200 km/h on a wide road, it can feel like driving at 100 km/h on a narrower road. You need to react really quickly and not be afraid to brake hard.
In the Czech Republic, you can drive around the famous Masaryk Circuit in Brno with a length of 5.4 km, the equally famous Autodrom Most racing circuit with a length of 4.2 km, as well as smaller circuits in Sosnová, Hradec Králové, Pribram and so on.
Co-racing in supersport
Even those who don't have a driving licence yet, or simply don't feel like driving such a stinger, won't miss out. For them, there is a possibility of co-driving, where they sit in the passenger seat and an experienced pilot takes care of the adrenaline ride. You will also find the option of a ride-along at a number of locations across the country.
href="https://www.adrop.cz/enWhat do you ride in the Czech Republic?
Are you tempted by Ferrari or Lamborghini? What about other supercharged machines? At Adrop you'll find a bunch of sports cars that you can tame. Even without a midlife crisis.
Ferrari
The Italian car company founded by former car racer Enzo Ferrari is known to all lovers of fast cars. Ferrari cars are a symbol of success, speed, elegance and prestige even today. However, the brand is also one of the most powerful in the world.
Those who would like to get behind the wheel of the elegant sting can try an adrenaline-pumping ride on the circuit in the Ferrari 488 Spider, which goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of an impressive 325 km/h. Alternatively, head to Brno, Ostrava or Olomouc to tickle the pedals of the Ferrari 488 GTB, which has 670 horsepower under the bonnet and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds.
TIP: Would you like to enjoy this red Mazda for a longer period of time? Rent a Ferrari 458 Spider for up to 24 hours! The luxury convertible will be sure to draw admiring glances from passers-by, no doubt.
Lamborghini
Every true car-moto fan knows that the Italian Lamborghini is pronounced lamborghini, and that it is one of the most luxurious cars ever. Interestingly, the automaker is ending the production of internal combustion engines and switching to hybrid power. However, if you want to try driving the classic combustion beauties from this stable, you can easily make your dream come true.
On a closed polygon in Brno and Most, you can test drive the legendary Lamborghini Huracán, which has 600 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds. You can also drive the same car on the Masaryk Circuit with 14 challenging corners to practice your driving skills and a bunch of straights where you can try out the push-off. Did you know that compulsory third party insurance for a luxury Lamborghini Huracán can cost as much as a used mid-range car, with premiums reaching up to CZK 200,000? It's probably better to just rent it occasionally.
TIP: If you can't decide between a Lamborghini and a Ferrari, we recommend you try the clash of the titans, where you get behind the wheel of a Ferrari 458 Italia and a Lamborghini Huracán. It's up to you to decide which car wins.
Porsche
The German sports car maker produces high-performance cars that are still reliable and docile for everyday use. In 2006, the Institute of Luxury awarded Porsche first place for the most prestigious luxury car brand. It's certainly no slouch behind the Italian stallions.
Thanks to Adrop, you can experience driving what is undoubtedly the automaker's most famous car, the Porsche 911, for yourself. You can also saddle up in the limited edition Porsche 911 Carrera T GT3 kit, which has 500 horsepower under the hood and a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds.
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Chevrolet
Chevrolet, now part of General Motors, was founded in 1911 by Swiss-American car racer Louis Chevrolet and gave birth to the legendary American cars that fascinate driving enthusiasts to this day.
You can test drive the automaker's flagship, the Chevrolet Camaro, at a number of locations across the country. The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro supercar packs 450 horsepower under the hood and goes from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds. That's a longer time compared to previous cars, but the driving experience is more than awesome. Of course, you can not only rent the Camaro for a short drive, but you can also rent it for up to 2 days!
Ford
The American car manufacturer Ford is probably not the first choice that comes to mind when you think of a supercar, but it still has a lot to offer. Ford was a pioneer not only at the time of its creation, but it still is, for example, one of the first car companies to offer cars with engines powered by bioethanol. Where does it stand in the supercar field? As we wrote above, it produced the legendary Ford GT in the 1960s, which was produced in subsequent generations until 2022.
And what cars from the American automaker can you try? We definitely recommend an adventurous drive in the 415-horsepower Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 GT, which you can drive in traffic for up to an hour.
Other stings
Still haven't picked your favorite to saddle up? How about a Lotus Exige Sport 420 Final Edition with a racing chassis and weighing just 1,100kg? Then Beetle lovers shouldn't miss out on co-driving the BMW M4 CSL with its three-litre six-cylinder engine and 550 horsepower. Only 1,000 of these beauties were ever produced. Of course, you can also test drive a BMW M3 with 431 hp under the bonnet and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds.
href="https://www.adrop.cz/enHow much does it cost to drive a supercar?
The price of a supercar ride depends on a number of variables. It depends on the driving time, the model you choose and whether you're driving in traffic or on a closed circuit. In general, it could be said that driving in traffic is cheaper because it requires less cost to the operator. Classically you pay for the rental car, the instructor, fuel, normal service costs and of course depreciation.
When driving on a circuit, you add to all that the cost of renting a racetrack, which is not exactly the lowest. Driving on the circuit also requires more demanding servicing, before each circuit day the car needs to have all the operating fluids changed, the geometry adjusted and even the brake pads replaced.
href="https://www.adrop.cz/enHow the supercar experience works
Every sports car experience starts with the purchase of a voucher. Once you have the voucher in hand, simply make an appointment and arrive at the agreed location well in advance. Don't forget to bring your ID and valid driver's license. Then there are a few formalities to go through, where you get to know the rules of the operator, throw one autograph and get down to business.
In some places you have to pay a refundable deposit, in others you don't have to pay anything, so always check the rules of your chosen operator.
The instructor will first introduce you to the car, explain its specifics and teach you how to operate it. When driving in traffic, there is not much to explain about the rules, but when driving on a circuit (whether it is a race track or a closed polygon) you must first learn how to control the car properly on the track. After all, you will be driving at slightly higher speeds than you are used to.
Once you've got a feel for the car, the driving can begin. You'll always have an instructor with you, who will make sure the experience is as smooth as possible and is always ready to give you advice on how to get the best out of the car. Instructors are experienced professionals who will give you immediate feedback, help you improve your driving and ensure you feel comfortable and safe behind the wheel.
href="https://www.adrop.cz/enWho is a supercar driver for and who should skip it?
If you want to enjoy the driving experience from the driver's seat, you should definitely have done your mileage. It really does pay to do a bit of self-reflection, after all, these are very powerful cars that you'll wind through at high speeds, especially on the race track. So you'll often find that you'll need to have held your licence for a few years.
Younger drivers can ride in the passenger seat and learn driving techniques from an experienced instructor. Alternatively, go for a drive in a sports car on the road and motorway where speeds are not as high.
And who would rather find a different experience?
Adrenaline-fuelled driving at higher speeds might not be entirely good for individuals with heart conditions and high blood pressure, and should also be avoided by pregnant women. If you have a serious illness or suffer from anxiety, you should consult your doctor about this experience.
href="https://www.adrop.cz/enRisks of riding a supersport
Driving a supercar car carries the same risks as driving any other car. The cars are regularly serviced so their roadworthiness is perfectly fine. The biggest risk is therefore the driver and his skills. That is why it is always necessary to adapt the driving to one's abilities.
Of course, in normal traffic you have to anticipate how other drivers will behave, which is a daily bread for a seasoned driver. Your instructor will prepare you for the specifics of circuit driving. At higher speeds, your field of vision narrows and you need to react extremely quickly. That's why it's important to never overestimate your skills behind the wheel.
So which sports car will you try first?
