5 Valentine’s Day Gift Experiences for the Gearhead Who Doesn’t Need More Stuff

Got a gearhead to buy for? At a complete loss for good gift ideas? In the spirit of swapping adventures for stuff, we rounded up five unique automotive experiences —from off-roading excursions to go-fast track time— to help you narrow down your search. Whether you’re shopping for Valentine’s Day or some other special occasion, one of the experiences on this list is sure to get those creative gift-giving wheels turning.

So, to hell with the familiar. Let’s try something new!

RallyPro Performance Driving School Experience

Nestled in North Central Florida is the Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park (or the FIRM), a 430-acre, full-service motorsports facility offering one-on-one high performance driver training. From road racing to tactical driving, the FIRM offers expert instruction for budding racers, Hollywood stunt drivers, military personnel, and regular ol’ go-fast enthusiasts.

If you live nearby, consider picking up a Drivers Club Membership, giving your gearhead access to public track days, special events, and private instruction sessions. If you’re considering making this a destination gift experience, we suggest purchasing a RallyPro Performance Driving School Experience. As the first major, full-time rally school in the U.S., the FIRM serves up over 22 miles of configurable and diverse terrain on which to hone one’s skills, mastering fundamentals like handbrake turning, controlled slides, and more.

The park is open year-round, with half-day (4 hours) or full-day (7 hours) courses available. Pricing puts this gift experience at the top of the budget, with packages starting at $1,000. So, maybe consider it one of those super special occasion presents.

If Florida is a little too far outside your travel range, check out DirtFish Rally School in Snoqualmie, WA, Rally Ready in Dale, Texas, Team O’Neil in Dalton, New Hampshire, or Vegas Rally in (you-guessed-it) Las Vegas, Nevada for a similar experience closer to where you live.

Arizona Desert Guided UTV Tour

Looking for some off-road adventure that’s a little more budget-friendly? Consider a guided UTV tour through the Arizona desert, where rugged trails through sand, water, and dirt meet gorgeous views of the Bradshaw Mountains.

Explore some creepy-but-cool abandoned gold mines and ghost towns and hear local lore from a certified, knowledgeable guide, while you take in the unique desert wildlife. Depending on the weather and trail conditions, you may even be able to check out 800-year old ancient ruins!

Tours generally run 2-3 hours and cost about $180-$210 per person. The company—Arizona Outdoor Fun—also offers private tours as well as shooting excursions that include target practice at an outdoor shooting range.

You can find more great UTV/ATV tours all around the United States, from High Point Hummer & ATV in Moab, Utah to Sunburst Adventures in Clarkesville, Georgia. Polaris Adventures offers an all-inclusive adventure by tacking on a hunting experience in Sumner, Missouri. And if you’re looking for a gift experience that screams Valentine’s Day, make it a true couple’s retreat and nab some guided UTV rides on a trip to Hawaii or Aruba!

SCCA Road Racing Membership

If you’re looking for a gift experience that can keep on giving throughout the year, consider purchasing an SCCA Road Racing Membership for your beloved gearhead. Pricing starts at $50 depending on the membership package, and even if your loved one isn’t interested in competing, there’s plenty to choose from.

“No matter what your motorsports interest, there’s a program to match it in the Sports Car Club of America,” says the organization. “Want to drive your car at speed on track? Learn more about car control? Push your precision driving and car control skills? Get trackside as a racing official? Race within inches at triple digit speeds? Whether it is competition driving, working the course, or race administration, SCCA puts you in the middle of the action.”

Plus, an SCCA membership comes with a ton of perks. In addition to nationwide event access, members get a one-year subscription to SportsCar Magazine and special offers for other popular publications. They can save money on hotel accommodations and rental vehicles, as well as automotive or racing equipment. And best yet, they get access to a tight-knit group of fellow enthusiasts who are passionate about car culture—and are eager to share their knowledge.

You can find your region here, to see what kind of programs are available where you live. And remember, if a full-blown membership is a little intimidating, you can always pick up an SCCA StartingLine school package or sign up for a Track Night where you can get a taste for what SCCA is all about.

Xtreme Xperience Exotic Car “Race”

Interested in driving something a little more high-class around the track? With Xtreme Xperience, you can take full control of a 400+ horsepower luxury supercar, such as Lamborghini Huracan, Ferrari 488 GTB, Porsche 911, or Dodge Hellcat Widebody for three laps on world-class racetracks around the country.

The company tours 35 cities hosting 50 events a year, so you’re bound to find a gift experience that works with your location and schedule. Prices start around $199 and include 3-4 laps, a 25-minute safety training class, a professional instructor in the passenger seat, safety equipment, and access to the Pit Area.

“The program is designed for guests with little to no track experience, and since our supercars are equipped with semi-automatic transmissions you don’t need to know how to drive stick,” explains the company. However, if you’re beyond the newbie stage, you can use the paddle shifters during your laps.

Additionally, you can always take it up a notch at the Supercar Academy. “Hosted exclusively at NOLA Motorsports Park, this program focuses on taking your performance driving skills to the next level through 1-on-1 coaching with four extended track sessions, skidpad exercises and more, all with VIP accommodations throughout. You’ll work your way through our fleet of exotics honing your skills along the way,” says Xtreme Xperience. If that sounds more your speed, click here for details—just get your wallet ready, as prices start around $2500 for the Academy Xperience.

Jeep Jamboree USA

With a great reputation and a serious bang for your buck, Jeep Jamboree USA hosts some of the most comprehensive off-road weekend adventures in the country. Sure, you can pack up the Jeep and head out on your own to scratch the off-road itch. (And we highly recommend that you do!) But there’s something to be said for letting the professionals handle all the planning once in a while. Besides, this is a gift experience—treat yourself!

With Jeep Jamboree, you’re not just getting a well-researched and designed route—you also gain the expertise of an experienced and knowledgeable guide. Learn new techniques and make some new friends, all while taking in the beautiful scenery of some of the most unique places in the U.S. (Plus, depending on what kind of jamboree you sign up for, you may even find that all of your meals and accommodations are included in the trip price.)

While Wranglers are the recommended vehicle of choice, all Jeeps are welcome as long as they meet the company’s requirements and can handle the trail ratings. Prices vary quite a bit, depending on how comprehensive of a trip you’re looking for, so check out the list of available adventures here.