(NAPSI)- You know the type.

Someone whose senses are ignited by the smell of high octane fuel. Someone who snaps to attention at the deep, low growl of a V8 engine and swoons at the sight of a very sleek, sexy body-with four wheels.

This, my friend, is the car enthusiast-a lover of all things automotive. But when it comes time to buy your motorhead a gift for the holidays, you've run out of gas.

"For car enthusiasts there is no greater joy than driving, thinking and talking about great automobiles," said Denny Clements, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "But if buying them the car of their dreams isn't in the plan, there are certainly great gift ideas that every car enthusiast would love."

Here are a few gift ideas to satisfy the car crazed, or even someone who would appreciate a unique, off-the-beaten-path gift for the holidays.

Improve Their Driving

Techniques

Imagine taking a "hot lap" around a professional speedway, all in the name of improving your driving skills. Your car lover can learn safe driving techniques, plus maneuver through turns on a professional track at a high performance driving school near you. The typical performance driving school teaches safe driving skills and basic race driving techniques to school participants, while they complete skid pad and slalom course drills.

The History of a

Luxury Vehicle

From tales of perfectionist engineers and racetrack testing to designers' inspiration, "The Lexus Story," provides a rare, insider's glimpse at how Lexus came to be one of the greatest success stories in automotive history. In this newly released inside account, noted journalist and author Jonathan Mahler takes readers behind the scenes of the making of a first-class automobile-from its first sedan in 1989 to its position today as the top-selling luxury nameplate in the U.S., set to launch the world's first luxury hybrid vehicle. Richly illustrated with hundreds of photographs, as well as never before published material from the Lexus archives, this impressive volume offers the kind of automotive lore that car buffs find irresistable. The book is available at book stores, Amazon.com and Lexus dealers.

New Wheels

for Their Wheels

Worn, old tires are not only unattractive, but they could also be unsafe. If an older vehicle still has steel wheels, try replacing them with new aluminum alloy wheels that freshen the look of any car. A true car enthusiast knows that good tires improve the ride, response and handling of any vehicle-helping to make the ride safer and more enjoyable.

Listen to Your Favorite Game-Anywhere

If your car aficionado spends plenty of time behind the wheel, then make the trip more pleasurable with the perfect accessory-the latest in portable satellite radios. With a satellite radio receiver, you can enjoy dozens of channels of music, news, sporting events, talk radio channels, and local traffic and weather across the country. With today's digital sound quality, you won't miss your college alma mater's next game, even if it's being played half way across the country.

This and That

Another gift to consider is a trip to a renowned automotive concours, such as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California, one of the premier concours in the world, exhibiting prewar and postwar automobiles as well as concept car designs. For more ticket and visitor information on the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, visit www.theconcours.com.

For a stocking stuffer idea, a traveling car care kit includes everything your car lover will need to clean and detail a vehicle away from home (items include cleaners, polish, wax, mitts, towels, sponges, etc.) Also, a digital tire pressure gauge would come in handy.

With a little more thought and a few new gift ideas, you just might be able to surprise the car enthusiast in your life this holiday season.


The newly released Lexus Story book is a unique holiday gift for the car lover in your life.