Guests on Necker Island, a retreat in the British Virgin Islands, will be able to dive underwater in a submarine dubbed the Necker Nymph for $25,000 a week. But that’s only after shelling out around $300,000 for a one-week stay on Necker, the private island owned by billionaire and Virgin Group chairman Richard Branson.

Beginning on Feb. 20, two riders and a pilot will be able to take the plunge from land or from a boat. The underwater plane uses the downward pressure on its wings to fly through the water for up to two hours at a time, while an open cockpit will give riders a 360-degree view.

The Necker Nymph’s typical speed is 2 to 5 nautical miles per hour and it can dive more than 100 feet, said Karen Hawkes, a spokeswoman for Hawkes Ocean Technologies, the company that designed the Nymph.

A statement released Friday by Virgin Limited Edition, the luxury arm of Virgin Hotels, described the Nymph’s launch like a plane’s takeoff. “Gliding on the water’s surface like an aeroplane on a runway, one of the three pilots will operate the joystick to smoothly dive down.”

Vacationers will be able to fly the Necker Nymph while chartering the Necker Belle, Branson’s 105-foot yacht, or the submarine can be launched from shore. Necker Belle is rented out to guests for $88,000 a week, bringing the full Necker Island experience to more than $400,000 per week.
0:00 /2:39Underwater flight

Riders must follow SCUBA procedures and be trained or accompanied by a certified pilot before entering the underwater plane. SCUBA tanks are mounted in the submarine and passengers must wear masks while underwater, said Hawkes.

The Necker Nymph claims “near-zero” environmental impact because its “positive buoyancy prevents the sub from landing on a reef, and its low light and noise emissions ensure the fragile ocean ecosystems remain undisturbed,” Virgin said.

I should start by saying I have a history with World Class Driving. On two separate occasions, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in their US Tour, where I drove 5 exotic cars on the back roads of Washington State on separate half-day events. I learned to appreciate the drivability of exotic cars in a touring environment, but it lacked the eminent danger of high speed crashes, yet still offered envious members of law enforcement opportunities to hand out tickets for “5 over” the posted speed limited, just because.

I recently flew down to Miami to meet up with the World Class Driving team for a very special experience: The 200MPH Xtreme Event. On December 13th, 2009, I and 15 other lucky individuals drove deep into the Everglades to drive 7 exotic cars to their limits. We would later use of those cars to try to break the 200 MPH barrier, all without the prying eyes of law enforcement.

If you’re not familiar with the necessary tools to achieve a somewhat dangerous and absolutely exciting milestone of the 200 MPH barrier, let me explain. For starters, you need a few miles of flat asphalt, as racetracks typically lack a straightaway long enough to hit 200 MPH (without NASCAR sponsor dollars and equipment). Lacking asphalt, salt flats or high desert will suffice (which are alternative locations for 200 MPH Xtreme events).

For this event (their 5th thus far) World Class Driving secured the Dade-Collier Transition and Training Airport, which was built in the 1950s for the supersonic passenger program that never quite materialized. The two primary landing strips offer more than 11,000 feet with which to achieve the day’s goal. We later found out that even more space would have been appreciated and needed. At 200 MPH, these cars cover a football field in length every second.

The second key ingredient in achieving 200 MPH is the proper equipment. In our case, it involved a handful of exotic automobiles, 3 of which were used for high speed runs, while the others were used for training. On the unseasonably hot and humid day (which unfortunately isn’t exactly conducive for high speed), the World Class Driving Team supplied us with a host of super cars:

· Bentley Continental Supersports

· Ferrari F430

· Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

· Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

· Lamborghini Gallardo LP560

· Maserati GranTurismo

· Mercedes McLaren SLR

The day was broken into two parts, morning and afternoon. Event attendees were put into 3 groups and rotated among 3 different sessions. The objective was to give the opportunity for event instructors (all having professional racing experience, lead by LeMans Champion Didier Theys) to evaluate driving skills, bond with drivers and give attendees the necessary skills to safely achieve the 200 MPH goal.

The first session (in an ideal world) is the braking and handling workshop, where participants drove a Ferrari F430 or Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera on a short course with many turns, to get a feel for the handling of super exotic cars. Even with the short course limitations (3 or so gears to work with), the cars are able to hit close to 100.

The second session was the high speed cornering workshop. This was particularly important in order to get a good start and safe finish to the high speed run. In order to hit 200 MPH on the runway, a quick entrance was absolutely essential, particularly on this hot and humid day. Just as importantly, knowing when and how to brake safely in order to make the critical turn at the end of the runway, was a focus.

The third and last morning session was originally meant to be a break time in the hospitality tent, but World Class Driving partnered with Bentley to give participants a unique opportunity to drive the new Bentley Continental Supersports. Known as a premier luxury brand, Bentley isn’t historically synonymous with high-performance. That misconception disappeared in about 3.5 seconds, which is how long it took to hit 60 MPH from a standstill. The other participants agreed with me: The Supersports can’t be dismissed, once driven.

Although I was able to hit 165 in back-to-back high speed runs (using less than half the runway), the power and speed wasn’t nearly as impressive as the entire package. When you see a new Bentley Supersport for the first time, you know it’s something special. Once inside, the unmistakable scent of high-grade leather and classic English fit and finish is nearly outshined by the extensive use of weight-saving carbon fiber throughout the interior. My only disappointment about the Bentley Supersport was that it wasn’t going to be used for the high speed runs in the afternoon (due to prior engagements).

After a hearty lunch and briefing, the group drew numbers to determine order for the 200 MPH runs. In turn, each participant would have 2 test runs and 2 top speed runs, with the option to evaluate all three featured cars: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560, Ferrari 599 GTB and Mercedes McLaren SLR. Theoretically, participants have 3 opportunities to reach 200 MPH, but this would prove to be more challenging than anticipated.

For my first run, I was assigned the less-popular Lamborghini LP560. Although rated with a 200+ top speed, many participants (and a few instructors) were skeptical it was going to do the trick. Even on a test run, where I wasn’t encouraged to go flat out, I managed a 195 MPH top speed (the highest speed for that car in the first round). With big ceramic brakes and feisty transmission, the Lambo was a thrill to drive, despite the lack of enthusiasm from the crowd.

On my second run, I took the Ferrari 599 GTB out for a spin. The favorite of both participants and instructors as the 200 MPH favorite, the $400K super car certainly delivered. Although my initial entry to the straightaway was lackluster, I still managed a tantalizing 199 MPH. The transmission was silky smooth, power endless, but the brakes didn’t have the same grab as the Lambo, which caused me a bit of stress at the end of the runway.

While everyone else scrambled to get time in the Ferrari, I was happy to test out the Mercedes SLR, also not quite as popular, but unarguably capable of crushing the 200 MPH barrier. Fortunately, I drew the Ferrari again. This time, my initial entry was so bad I aborted and I quickly returned for a second try. The next entry attempt was decent, but I still wasn’t able to break 200 MPH. Instead, I nearly broke the car when unable to slow down in time for the exit corner and came to a full stop 5 feet from the end of the runway (where the lights act as teeth that eat exotic bodywork).

I had a tough choice to make for my fourth and final run. The McLaren was unable to break 197 MPH thus far, even with instructors driving. Meanwhile the Lambo picked up favorability as the first of the 16 participants hit 200 MPH behind the wheel. The next 2 Lambo drivers followed suit, hitting 201 MPH respectively. Meanwhile, the 599 GTB seemed to fade, particularly its brakes. The driver that followed my run in the 599 ended up clipping a runway light with the front end (easily a $10K+ mistake) when cornering at the end of the runway.

That left me with an opportunity for a “sure thing” run with the Lambo, or an “almost sure not to get there” run in the McLaren. In a moment of truth, I decided to go the route of the overall “experience” by driving the McLaren, instead of the “200 MPH” guarantee with the Lambo. I also counted on the afternoon cooling to give me even a small chance at breaking the barrier in the SLR. Regardless, what I would get was a very unique driving opportunity in all three world-class exotics, of which the McLaren was the only one I had yet to drive.

Unlike the 599 and LP560, the Mercedes is a big, heavy touring car with a true automatic slush box. Despite that, it has massive horsepower, and was surprisingly quick to speed as I rounded the entry to the straightaway. Pensive about stopping in time to avoid the $200 runway lights at the end of the course (and more expensive auto repairs), I was quick on the brakes and ended up with a 198 MPH speed. The big disappointment was that the brakes on the SLR are so fantastic (particularly in comparison to the 599) that I could have used the critical extra runway to hit 200 MPH.

Despite ending the day a hair short of 200 MPH, I had an absolutely amazing time. I built friendships with participants and instructors alike. I even had the pleasure of hanging out with Ezra Dyer, columnist for Automobile Magazine, whose coverage of the Xtreme event should appear in the March issue. A second highlight came about when one of the instructors (whose name I will protect) confided that he’d evaluated all participants driving ability and gave me 8 out of 10, the highest overall participant score (the average was 5.5).

World Class Driving’s 200 MPH Xtreme event is truly an once-in-a-lifetime experience and worth every penny. In the span of one day, I was able to drive seven exotic cars to their limit in a safe setting, with the help of professional racecar drivers as instructors. Essentially, I became a better driver, not just the driver of a fast car in a straight line.

Although I enjoyed the Lamborghinis and Ferraris to no end, I was surprised by my pleasurable experience with the Mercedes SLR, and even more so, the Bentley Continental Supersports. If I had to choose a daily driver, it would probably be the Bentley Supersport, regardless of the size and weight. The German performance engineering and English luxury heritage makes the Supersports a very comfortable and competent car. It should be noted, in case any manufacturers are reading this, that I would not kick any of the exotics out of my garage, given the opportunity to own one. Feel free to check out pictures from the World Class Driving Xtreme 200 MPH Event here.

While anyone with a Hot Wheels track growing up might know that the stunt can be done, a real-world reenactment with a real car and real driver is so dangerous it is referred to as the “Death Loop” by professional stuntmen. While it might seem that a driver could merely power in at a high speed to carry enough momentum to complete the loop, the truth is that the g-forces on the driver at anything above 30 mph can be catastrophic. So stuntman Steve Truglia trained with jet pilots to learn techniques that would help him deal with the centripetal forces.

Nor will you get cold as the machine has been ingeniously designed to route the engine coolant through the handle bars, with the rear mounted, enclosed radiator keeping the operator nice and cozy. The first point to make is that this is not a V8 grafted on a traditional snow blower carriage but a purpose-built unit crafted around a motor of this magnitude. It functions very much like a traditional blower by way of operator input and feedback and offers effortless safe operation.

Maneuvering the massive beast (it has a total wet weight of 912lbs) is a snack thanks to the hydraulic-drive 4WD skid steer on independent walking beams which offers a zero turning radius. It’s also as fast as you like, with an infinitely adjustable speed range on the drive wheels via dash mounted flow control. At the opposite end of the scale, it has more than enough torque to pull your car out of the ditch before the hydraulic motors stall.

Adding to the well-balanced feel of the unit, just 15 pounds of down force on the handlebars will lift the auger blade off the ground in order to climb stairs/walkways for ease of snow removal. Safety has and continues to be paramount with spring return to centre “fail safe” type directional controls with emergency stop and tether cords. Safety is one of the key theme, with a flashing blue light (as required by law in many areas) being the least of the safety features. No-one will fail to hear you with those twin throaty exhausts, which come standard with 92 decibels at the controls, though if the rhumba of a V8 exhaust is music to your ears, you can obviously go much louder.

Even at the standard baffling, hearing protection is strongly suggested. The powerful yard machine lights and a dashboard with backlit gauges complete the package to ease the burden of this normally reviled task. The custom 42 inch, two stage auger has a Chevrolet 10 bolt truck differential with spool and a centrifugal auger clutch with shear pin protection, further adding to the image of this “automotive theme blower.”

As each unit is custom-built, optional extras for the snowblower are both diverse and outrageous as the base unit – there is unlimited auger choices from single to multi stage designs and various motor combinations to suit the religious preferences of the customer (Chevy, Dodge Hemi, Ford) and such exotica as a V-10 or a diesel engine or remote starting can be accommodated. And if, after a while, you feel you’ve outgrown the 400 horses, this particular engine is well catered for in the performance modification area, with Lunati camshaft, Milodon Gear drive, Holley and Edelbrock components to name a few, and there’s always the fuel injection option too, if you feel you need to throw the snow out of the county or ensure your seat in the “neighborhood blower blingster hall of fame.”

Joe Bartlett

Listen here.

What do riding at Laguna Seca, touring beautiful Northern California in some of the world’s most exclusive exotic cars, and mashing cars with legendary Monster Truck “Gravedigger” have in common? Easy. These are the pulse pounding activities you’ll be doing if you win the SPEED Dream Ride sweepstakes.

SPEED, in conjunction with Castrol Edge, Prestone, Quiznos and American Legacy, presents to you the opportunity to participate in the ultimate driving experience. Five winners and their guests will spend three days at the famed Laguna Seca track in Monterey, riding along with Mario Andretti (in a two-seater IndyCar), Kyle Petty (in a NASCAR stock car), Jason Pridmore (on a two-up MotoGP sportbike) and Tanner Foust (on a Drifting course) … and if riding shotgun isn’t enough to jack up your adrenaline, winners will take turns crushing cars behind the wheel of the menacing black and green Monster Truck known as “Gravedigger” and touring the beautiful Northern California countryside piloting a collection of Super Cars.

Pictured are the famous corkscrew bend at Laguna Seca (above) and the legendary Monster Truck, Gravedigger (below).

Check out their website at www.speeddreamride.com to register and win this supercharged Dream Ride! The sweepstakes begins on November 26 and you should be there no questions asked.

It’s that unmistakable Ferrari-like sound of a 570 brake horsepower turbo-charged V8 engine. When you do turn the car loose, it’ll get you from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds; encroaching on a full second faster to 60 than its predecessor, the f430. And it keeps accelerating enough to break the 200 mph barrier!

Don’t think for a moment it’ll involve hanging on for dear life because Ferrari insists that while it is the beast you’re all anticipating, it is capable of remarkable comfort (and incredible style) in every day use.

The Italia’s new generation electronics, chassis, engine, and F1 inspired steering wheel all promise a drive for the ages.

Let’s face it, you know you want one.

Maybaching is a singular experience, whether behind the wheel or way in the back, cocooned in leather and sipping Dom Pérignon from a crystal flute while a chauffeur works the controls up front (now that’s a designated driver). Such are the pleasures offered by the two original Maybachs: the 18.8-foot-long 57 sedan and the 20.2-foot-long 62 limo, which cost $335,250 and $385,250, respectively.

Keeping in mind that the 57S tips the scales at more than three tons, we find it to be remarkably quick and surprisingly agile. Its huge brakes rein in its mass with authority, and its adjustable air suspension, which can be set from soft to sporty, works as intended. It’s actually kind of spooky being able to drive a car this big very quickly over snaky mountain roads without even reaching the squeal threshold of its custom-designed 275/45R-20 Michelin Pilot Sport tires.

And there’s the perfection aspect. Every visible hard surface is hand-rubbed to a deep luster, every soft surface is creamy leather, and everything that moves does so silently and precisely.

Now available for use by Vulcan Motor Club members.

You’ll enjoy one of the most thrilling open wheel races, BBQ, and beverages on five large screen TVs (including a 20′ monster) – all while surrounded by a collection of the world’s most exclusive and exotic supercars. Join us at 11:00am for the pre-race show – prior to the 12:00 noon EST live race start.

Tickets are available and space is limited. Reserve online now, or call Susan at (908) 879-7777.