[رانيا 2]

Driving a late-model Lamborghini on public roads is akin to watching an epic film in mono – the senses are teased but left unchallenged.

Driving a Lamborghini on a track, however, is a mind-blowing charge of adrenalin. No speed limits, g-forces only capped by available grip, engine wailing, tires screaming, brakes cooking – it's pure sensory overload.

With an invite in hand, I left New York City for an afternoon and headed north 90 miles to the Monticello Motor Club. Lamborghini chose the private venue to host a hands-on introduction to the LP 570-4 Spyder Performante and LP 550-2 Bicolore, two of its newest Gallardo models. The freshly arrived convertible and coupe join the ranks of more than a dozen Gallardo variants that have been released over the years.

While tooling around the countryside on public roads in a new Lamborghini is utterly enjoyable, the only place to truly experience an Italian exotic, or any sports car for that matter, is on a closed racing circuit, and that's exactly what I'm here to do.