Established by Rob Stanbury, the new RS Academy will operate from arguably the three best drivers’ circuits in the world – Germany’s Nurburgring, Belgium’s Spa Francorchamps and the ultra-exclusive, privately-owned Ascari Race Resort near Marbella in Spain.
The cars are equally impressive, with the lineup including the Renault Megane R26.R, Caterham R500 Superlight, BMW M3 CSL, Porsche GT3 RS (997), Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera and the Radical SR3. However, the fleet will be constantly expanded in line with membership.
After paying an initial membership fee, which includes insurance and a racing instructional course, members are given a number of points which they can use up on hiring the cars - the more exciting models, such as the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, commanding more points than the lesser cars.
Interestingly, Rob Stanbury previously worked with P1 International, a similar road-going supercar club established by former F1 driver Damon Hill that went bust earlier this year. According to Stanbury, a number of important differences between the new RS Academy and existing supercar clubs should protect it.
The cars, for example, will be owned by the club (rather than the banks), so the members’ investment will be better protected. An option of shared membership should allow many more enthusiasts to indulge their passion with like-minded friends, and the car fleet will be upgraded at very regular intervals to keep interest going.