Starting at $200 a lap...

Pictured here is probably the world's only true racing limo. Designed and built by Michael Pettipas, the vehicle is a Formula 1-style car that can carry six passengers at white knuckle speeds.

According to the company's web site, laps start at only $200 (I sure hope helmets are included!). If you are crazy enough to want to try this for yourself, here is a link to the company's website.

The newest Navigator in town!

We are pleased to announce that our friends over at API Limousine have agreed to allow us to book their brand new 2009 Lincoln Navigator.

Custom made for API by Krystal (one of only two manufacturers that we buy from), the limo seats 13 and comes with all of the goodies that we have in our own cars including a direct ipod connection, satellite radio and an incredible four flat screen TVs.

This is the first we have ever promoted a vehicle belonging to another company, but having worked with API for well over two years, and we know that they operate under the same principles and standards as we do.

Super Bowl

If you are like me, I intend to have a few adult beverages this coming Sunday (I may have more than a few if the Cardinals pull it off!).

Because of this, I will be leaving the driving to someone else. If you don't have a someone else, or if you are the designated driver, and don't want to be, then why not call us? We have cars and special deals available!

Just got back from the Limo show

Not surprisingly, this year's annual Limousine & Chauffeured Transportation Show in Las Vegas was a little bit smaller than last year. Nevertheless, it was still very informative and although we didn't buy any new vehicles, the show did provide a great networking opportunity. I was able to meet the owners of several of the limo companies we refer out to across the country, as well as two of our local affiliates.

At the show. we also learned that we are going to be the recipients of an award for Reduced Emissions from Green Ride Global, the Company that administers our environmental reporting. In the accompany picture, I am with Ian Lipton, COO of Green Ride, Lynette Ashwood, our Account Director at green Ride and Lisa Campodonico, our Director of Marketing.

Off to the Limo Show!

Along with my entire management team, I am off to the annual International Limousine and Chauffeured Transportation Show. Each year over 3,500 of the top limousine companies and vendors converge on Las Vegas to share the latest in limousine design, technology and business practices.

The show also gives us an opportunity to renew our relationships face to face with our affiliates across the country. This networking helps us to ensure that we are only referring out to companies that have the same business philosophy as we do - i.e. customer service comes and environmentally sound practices come first.

Last year we came home with a new party bus - while I am not expecting to buy anything this year, who knows?

Make a Wish Winter Wine & Food Festival is a week from tonight!

Make a Wish's Annual Winter Wine & Food Festival is being a week from tonight at the Sacramento Convention Center. Sample from wines from over Northern California 60 wineries, 7 local microbreweries and 60 of the best restaurants in the Sacramento Area.

General Admission tickets are only $85. In addition there will be both a silent auction and a live auction. The live auction will feature four items donated by Luxury Limousines. These include dinner for eight at Hawks with wines provided by Frank Family and Crocker & Star, a ladies night out including a make up and photography session, and an Italian Tapas dinner prepared by Doug Carson. Of course we will be providing transportation services for all of these great items.

Hope you can join us for a fun evening which benefits this wonderful organization!

Bring out the Barrel!

21 El Dorado County wineries (including our favorite David Girard) will be participating in the annual barrel tasting this weekend. If you have never attended a barrel tasting it is a great way to learn about how a wine evolves while being aged. It also provides an opportunity to buy "futures" - basically pre-ordering a wine while it is still in the barrel for later delivery. This gives the winery some cash flow, and the buyer a discount from the "future" price of the wine.

Be prepared however, as the wine you are tasting now will be very young, and may not be fully representative of what the wine will become. This is what I find fascinating, especially in instances where the winery is using more than one type of oak in its barreling process.

For more information about barrel tasting, check out Chris Macias article in today's Sacramento Bee, and for more information on the event itself check out this link to the El Dorado Winery Association. Of course, as with anytime alcohol is involved, I suggest a designated driver, or even better yet, one of our limos!