If you want to know what it feels like to chase the tail of a Ferrari 812 Competizione down a winding mountain road whilst a Lamborghini Aventador fills your rearview mirror, I can confirm that it is as thrilling as you might hope. Your heart beats wildly, the butterflies in your stomach feel like they are doing the tango, and your senses have never been more alive.
Which they need to be, when you are sandwiched between several million euros’ worth of automotive fine art. As part of a procession of supercars exploring some of the best driving roads our region has to offer, with an orchestra of V8, V10, and V12 engines providing a thunderous soundtrack, you can practically taste the adrenaline.
Welcome to the Monaco chapter of Fast Lane Drive, the club for supercar owners who love to share their passion for exotic and luxury cars with other like-minded individuals. François Willm and Marine Grapin are responsible for opening this exclusive, members-only club in 2023. It has already grown to 55 members and is just one of more than 20 Fast Lane Drive communities around the world. Monaco Life was invited to their latest event, which set off from the elegant Bastide Saint-Antoine hotel in Grasse, following a hearty breakfast and a briefing from the organisers.
From Alpine turns to photo ops
The lineup of cars included some beautiful examples of automotive magic from Porsche, McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Audi, as well as France’s second-greatest sports car (behind Bugatti), the Alpine A110, which managed to hold its own among this daunting company. The morning drive took in a variety of roads around the Route Napoléon, with stops for coffee and a chance for the drivers and their guests to take a closer look at each other’s weapon of choice. At one point, an unexpectedly closed road meant that we all had to perform a U-turn on a narrow country lane — not something you want to attempt in a supercar with more than 800 horsepower under your right foot — but everyone kept their cool and avoided the ditch. No pressure!
Each time our procession came to a small village, it was like the circus arriving in town. Children and grown men alike stopped and stared, whipping out their phones to capture the moment when some of the world’s most exciting cars trundled through the narrow streets. Drivers always observed the speed limits, although they were likely silently cursing the many speed humps — the natural enemy of a road-hugging supercar.
Outside the urban areas and back on the open road, as each car took its turn to accelerate up to the permissible speed limit, it brought to mind that iconic Star Wars moment when the spaceships jump to lightspeed. Almost 30% of Fast Lane Drive members in Monaco are, or have been, professional drivers, and they certainly know how to get the most out of a great sports car. The day’s events were carefully documented, with a professional photographer and a fearless cameraman onboard the support cars to capture every moment, and the overall organisation was impeccable, as you would expect at this level.
Lunch, laughs and lifestyle
The day ended with a late lunch at the iconic Mas Candille in Mougins — a chance to relax and get to know the other participants. This community is as much about socialising as it is about driving, and philanthropy also plays a part, with charity events providing opportunities to give back.
Philanthropy and networking appeal to those who can afford the world’s most exclusive cars, but the atmosphere here is far from elitist; it is friendly and fun. In everyday life, the club’s members are business people and entrepreneurs, but about once a month they come together to share a love of driving and to discuss the finer points of their pride and joy with other enthusiasts. In terms of pure excitement, it beats a round of golf. As well as planning regular drives through the countryside, the club also organises track experiences and exclusive events tailored for luxury and sporting icons, partnering with some of the world’s top brands.
However, this club is just as much about the people as it is about the cars. On the day Monaco Life was invited, it was refreshing to see fathers bringing their young sons to share the excitement, and a good mix of men and women participating. Traditional car clubs are often dominated by men, but Fast Lane Drive boasts a high proportion of female members, who usually spend just as much time behind the wheel as their partners. There is a wide range of ages, and the mix of spoken French and English adds to the cosmopolitan atmosphere. Membership in one chapter grants access to all locations, including upcoming communities in Tokyo and Paris.
Global access, local energy
Fast Lane Drive was started in the USA, where it has grown quickly, but it feels particularly well suited to Monaco and this region, which combines an abundance of supercar owners, spectacular driving roads, stunning scenery, and an array of refined dining locations perfect for starting or ending a memorable day.
When you buy a supercar, you are buying into an exclusive lifestyle — and that is what this club is all about: maximising the pleasure of ownership, not just through driving, but through sharing the experience with others. Although, for me at least, the driving is the part I will be replaying in my mind long after the day has ended. That kind of experience is priceless, regardless of how wealthy you are.
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All photos courtesy Fast Lane Drive