McLaren owner #driveslikeagirl
Heather Cline-Wehrly’s Instagram bio boasts that she’s “a girl who loves her McLaren — and driving it!”
Last weekend, she did just that. Cline-Wehrly, the proud owner of a Mantis green McLaren 650S, joined 25 local supercar enthusiasts on a rally to Austin.
But this was no ordinary road trip. The fast and furious cavalcade’s final destination was “Senna: Driving Instinct,” an event at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) presented by McLaren Houston and Scuderia.
To commemorate the adventure, ClineWehrly posted a photo (@sheswithoutfear) of her bright-orange manicure complete with the British automotive manufacturer’s signature crimson “swoosh.”
“I may be the only woman driver, and I don’t mean that in a snarky way at all,” she said. “These kinds of events are important for me so I can show younger girls that they don’t have to be in the passenger seat. They can drive as well.”
Cline-Wehrly, 40, is the executive marketing director of a Spring finance firm; she’s currently on her fourth supercar. Her inaugural luxury-sports-car purchase, a Bentley, went down three years ago.
“I grew up watching racing shows with my older brother, and there wasn’t a huge female presence,” she said. “When I finally got the opportunity, I scooped it up and never looked back.”
Cline-Werhly switched to McLaren’s first supercar — the 570S model — before giving Bentley Motors a second try.
“I missed my McLaren so much — that’s why I have my 650 now,” she said.
To prep for COTA’s legendary Formula 1 track, Cline-Wehrly admitted to “geeking out” by practicing on the Forza video game.
David Bohn, McLaren Houston’s general manager, likened the three-day excursion to an adult summer camp. The Central Texas itinerary included accommodations at the Westin Austin at the Domain, dinner at Steiner Steakhouse, an exclusive track day at COTA on Formula 1, a private brunch reception at the Oasis and, of course, opportunities to test-drive the new McLaren 720S.
Though pricing on the automotive company’s sophomore supercar starts at a cool quartermillion dollars, the cost of the Senna: Driving Instinct experience rang in at an easier-toswallow $1,800.
“We’re all about making exclusivity accessible,” Bohn said. “Whether you own a Ferrari or a Toyota, you’re welcome here.”
One satisfied customer agrees.
“What I love so much is that McLaren has always been about racing, innovation and what’s next,” ClineWehrly said. “And it’s not intimidating. It’s a car that makes you feel like it could drive itself. I feel really safe driving it, and it’s fun.”
Judging by the volume of girl-power hashtagged images posted on Instagram, the weekend quenched her #needforspeed.