Bugatti Had Bolide Owners Warm up in a Porsche 911 Before Hitting the Track—Here's Why
The warm-up supercar was the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, which makes a piddling 518 hp but is revered as one of the best pound-for-pound driver's cars in the world. The 911 GT3 RS is just 3,268 pounds and has carbon fiber everywhere. The 911 GT3 RS also has an active aerodynamics system to increase downforce when cornering, and a drag reduction system for straights to increase top speed. The 911 GT3 RS—which starts at $241,300—is no slouch, in other words.
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That is, except when compared to the $4.3 million Bugatti Bolide, which has a W-16 engine and isn't intended for the street, or even legal for it. Bugatti chose the Circuit Paul Ricard for the drive, the track where they used to hold the French Grand Prix. Bolide owners were eased into their new rides with morning runs in the 911 GT3 RS.
'Before owners unleashed their machines in full-track sessions, they participated in expert-led training to ensure they could harness the Bolide's capabilities with confidence. Each driver worked closely with a dedicated instructor, refining their technique,' as Bugatti described in a press release. 'The morning session saw them on track in Porsche 911 GT3 RS models, sharpening their skills in preparation for the afternoon, where they transitioned to their own Bolide.'
Personal instructors on hand included Andy Wallace and Bruno Spengler, who have each raced in 24 Hours of Le Mans. Just four Bolides were on track, each with different looks based on what owners wanted.
'The four customer cars presented truly distinct specifications—one combining sleek 'Black Carbon' and 'Ruby', accented by striking gold-painted rims, another fusing 'Black Carbon' and 'Blue Carbon', a third in full 'Nocturne', and the fourth adorned in 'Black Carbon' and 'Argent,'' Bugatti said.
Bugatti did not identify the owners of each Bolide or reveal their lap times, except to say that the owners 'inched closer to the limit with every lap,' which is probably for the best, because it's almost impossible for amateurs to compete with pros like Wallace and Spengler. Some of the owners may have even walked away from the event thinking that perhaps the Bolide was too much car, and the 911 GT3 RS just enough, though that's the kind of thought that you only tell your confessor.
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