SAHARA AND GENERAL MOTORS OPEN “THE DRIVE”

Announced a scant two months ago, Sahara and General Motors’ automotive performance park “The Drive” (website not yet active) will have its grand opening on Monday, April 10.

Eleven acres of outdoor test tracks will be available to drivers wanting to experience what it’s like to get behind the wheel of a sports car. Come on, Escalades weren’t built for carting kids to soccer practice… see what it’s like on a dirt terrain.

Much more than test-driving a car, you’ll actually get to see what they’re capable of.

Two tracks are available:

• • the performance course (two laps), a half-mile paved high-performance looped course offering the experience of speed and handling of sports car thrills. Vehicle choices include the Chevy Corvette coupe and convertible, the Chevy SSR, the Pontiac GTO, the Cadillac CTS-V, the Pontiac Solstice roadster (pictured above), the Cadillac STS-V, and the Saab 9-3 convertible.

• the off-road course (one lap) contains a HUMMER course and SUV course. The HUMMER course features foothill climb, v-ditch, sloped banks, moguls, obstacles, vertical steps, and a 15-foot “mountain.” The SUV course is designed for testing any other type of sport utility vehicle. The course is situated in the middle of the oval performance course and can be reached through a walking bridge. Vehicle choices include the HUMMER H2 and H2 SUT, the mid-size HUMMER H3, the 2007 Cadillac Escalade, the 2006 Chevy Silverado Diesel, and the 2007 Chevy Tahoe.

As new vehicles become available, “The Drive” will be expanded, to include models from Buick and Saturn.

Tickets are $10 for a choice of four laps on the performance loop, two laps on the off-road course, or a combination of the two. Drivers will be accompanied by either a professional or right-seat driver.

Reduced tickets are $9 for Nevada residents (through the end of April, Nevada residents who show a local ID will receive free tickets), $8 for military personnel, and $8 for GM cardholders.

The Drive is located at the Sahara Hotel and Casino on the corner of Paradise Road and Sahara Ave. (steps from the Sahara monorail stop) and is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. including holidays (subject to change depending on daylight). Minimum age is 18. A breathalyzer test and liability waiver is part of the registration. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license. Some vehicles may accept passengers, who must be at least four years old and weigh over 40 pounds.

For more information, call (866) 244-0095 or visit www.thedrivelasvegas.com (website not yet active).