DESK TO GRIDPRIVATE EXPERIENCES · 2027
A McLaren Artura Trophy at speed

Private wealth client experiences · 2027

Your clients have been to the big game. Have they ever been part of the story?

Private access to an active McLaren racing program at five of America's premier motorsport weekends—including Formula 1, INDYCAR, IMSA and WEC. One driver. An improbable pursuit of outright victory. An experience your clients can follow all season.

  • 5Premier race weekends
  • 10Races in the 2027 season
  • PrivateClient experiences, hosted by Ray
Explore Private ExperiencesSee the 2027 calendar

Tested with Bryan Herta Autosport in a McLaren Artura Trophy Evo, October 2026

Endorsed on film by the team's general manager

Formerly at Morgan Stanley, supporting financial advisor teams

02 The 2027 calendar

The biggest weekends
in American racing.

In 2027, McLaren Trophy America races on the same weekends as Formula 1, INDYCAR, IMSA and the FIA World Endurance Championship. Your clients come for a headline event and are hosted inside a team that's competing in it.

Where are your clients based?

INDYCAR WEEKEND · APRIL 2–4

Barber Motorsports Park

The debut. Can a driver from a desk run with the Pros? The season opens in Alabama on an INDYCAR weekend.

For your guestsBe there at the start of the story, before anyone knows how it ends.
Birmingham, AL01 / 05

What's not settled yet: Ray's seat and season depend on funding and aren't contracted. Regional suggestions are only suggestions: no event, guest place or hospitality is held or exclusive until a contract is executed. The Miami Trophy timetable is to be confirmed.

Miami attendance: about 275,000 over the 2025 weekend (GP Destinations). McLaren Trophy rounds share these weekends; that does not include Formula 1, INDYCAR, IMSA or WEC team, garage or paddock credentials.

03 The access

More than a ticket.
A place inside the racing story.

Premium sports hospitality gives your clients a good seat and a good lunch, and ends at the final whistle. Here they're hosted by the driver, inside the team he races with, and they leave knowing the people whose result they'll be following.

The McLaren hospitality building at a race weekend, with McLaren cars parked in frontMcLaren Trophy Race Centre

Race weekend hospitality

A base in the McLaren Trophy paddock, close to the cars and the people running them.

The McLaren Trophy America field lined up on the grid at Sonoma RacewayMcLaren Trophy America

The grid and the cars

Walk among the field before it races and stand beside the car your clients are following.

Ray reviewing data with BHA engineersBHA test day

Engineers and race preparation

Hear how the team reads data, sets up the car and plans a weekend.

Guests at a private dinner overlooking a pit lane at duskIllustrative image

Private dinners

Candid conversations with Ray about risk, preparation and competing, away from the crowds.

Conventional premium hospitality

  • A suite or hospitality ticket
  • Watching from a distance
  • Over when the event ends

Desk to Grid

  • A host your clients know by name
  • Inside an active McLaren Trophy team
  • A season they keep following, with the result still to be decided

All proposed entitlements are subject to BHA, series, event and vendor agreements. Access is to the McLaren Trophy operation only, never a Formula 1, INDYCAR or WEC team, garage or paddock. We never promise new clients, referrals, asset growth or financial returns.

04 The story

What if someone who started racing at 30 wins outright in his first professional season?

The test day film · Putnam ParkYouTube ↗

Almost nobody takes this path. Ray Cheng began racing at 30, while keeping a full-time career in AI product leadership after earlier roles at Morgan Stanley and Meta.

In October 2026 he tested with Bryan Herta Autosport in a McLaren Artura Trophy Evo. He matched a professional driver's benchmark and, on newer tyres, went a second quicker. Afterwards, the team's general manager said he would have no hesitation putting Ray in a race car if sponsorship could be secured.

In 2027 he's aiming for an Am entry that fights for outright wins against the whole field. A test isn't a race, and nobody knows yet whether he'll do it. That's the story your clients get to follow.

  • “You were quick. You were consistent.”
  • “You matched his times. And on newer tyres, you went a second quicker than him.”
  • “You listened, you went out and did it.”
  • “If you came to us and said, I have a sponsor, I wouldn't have any qualms about putting you in a car.”
Phil Howard, General Manager, Bryan Herta Autosport, on Ray's test against pro driver Bryson Morris
30The age Ray began racing
Oct. 2026First test with Bryan Herta Autosport
1.36MOrganic views in Desk to Grid's first 38 days
10,506Combined cross-platform followers and connections

Test session at Putnam Park, not a race result or proof of race-winning pace; laps were set in different runs and conditions. Audience self-reported from native analytics. Views aren't unique people. Followers and connections as of November 1, 2026, with possible overlap.

Portrait of Ray Cheng
05 Who you're working with

He knows
your world.

Before racing, Ray worked at Morgan Stanley, helping financial advisors and their teams with digital marketing, social media and LinkedIn relationship development.

From there he moved through Meta into AI product leadership. He understands how advisor teams build relationships, and that every invitation, recap and post has to clear compliance first.

06 The experiences

Four ways
to be part of it.

Each is a proposed program, shaped around your clients. Prices are indicative until confirmed in a formal quote after a consultation.

Aerial view of the Monticello Motor Club circuit surrounded by autumn forestMonticello Motor Club

Local client eventMonticello Motor Club, New York

The Monticello Experience

Your own private motorsport country club experience.

Indicative · until confirmed$30,000–$65,00010–20 guests · One-day private event
  • Private group driving experiences with Monticello's professional instructors
  • High-performance vehicle activities selected for the group's experience levels
  • Premium clubhouse hospitality and curated food and beverage service
  • Personal hosting by Ray, including driving insights and guided conversations
  • Exclusive keynote or fireside chat on calculated risk, preparation, competition and unconventional ambition
  • Professional event photography and a bespoke highlight film
Plan a Monticello ExperienceFull details
The Bryan Herta Autosport crew with their race carsBryan Herta Autosport

Destination VIP experienceIndianapolis area

Inside the Race Team

Go where almost no race fan gets to go.

Indicative · until confirmed$40,000–$70,0006–12 guests · Two days
  • A proposed race car ride-along at an approved BHA test day, subject to passenger configuration, insurance and track approval
  • Privately hosted BHA facility and shop experience
  • Race engineering, vehicle preparation and technical insights
  • Private dinner with Ray and selected participants
  • Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum visit, subject to scheduling
  • Professional photo and video coverage, with a bespoke event recap
Explore the Indianapolis ExperienceFull details
A McLaren Artura Trophy race car at speedMcLaren Artura Trophy

Premier race weekendA selected 2027 race weekend

Race Weekend Insider

Don't just watch the race. Live inside the journey.

Indicative · until confirmed$60,000–$95,000+6–12 guests · Two to three days
  • Premium hospitality at the selected event
  • Approved McLaren Trophy team garage and paddock access
  • Meet-and-greets with Ray and available BHA personnel
  • Private hosted dinners and networking events
  • Race-day programming and personal hosting
  • Professional photography and a bespoke branded experience film
Reserve a Race Weekend ConsultationFull details
Concept render of a graphite and silver McLaren Artura Trophy in a wet pit lane at duskConcept render

Season-long partnershipAcross the planned 2027 campaign

Founding Season Partnership

Don't just host an experience. Become part of the entire story.

Indicative · until confirmed$275,000–$450,000+Custom guest allocations · Full 2027 season
  • One Monticello Experience, one Indianapolis immersive experience and one Race Weekend Insider
  • Season-long partnership recognition
  • Negotiated branding on the race car, driver gear, apparel and permitted assets
  • Co-branded media and original episodic storytelling throughout the season
  • Agreed rights to approved imagery, video and event recaps for marketing use
  • Client-facing speaking engagements and exclusive updates
Discuss Founding Partner AvailabilityFull details

Custom inquiry

Shared Regional Experience

Several advisory teams in the same region can share a hosted day or race weekend. Scope, guest numbers and investment are worked out together in a proposal, and each team's participation is approved separately.

Ask about a shared experience
07 Inside each experience

What the days
could look like.

The Monticello ExperienceSample itinerary · One-day private event

A curated day at Monticello Motor Club in New York, offering high-performance driving and intimate interaction with Ray.

Morning

  • Arrival and clubhouse welcome
  • Safety briefing and group introductions with Ray
  • First driving sessions with professional instructors

Midday

  • Hosted lunch in the clubhouse
  • Fireside with Ray: calculated risk, preparation and competition

Afternoon

  • Driving activities matched to each guest's experience
  • Driving insights and guided conversation with Ray
  • Closing reception, with photography throughout

What it's for: A premium local experience for valued clients and qualified prospects, with a memorable shared story.

Venue, availability, catering and insurance are confirmed per proposal. Final cost depends on configuration. Client travel and lodging are stated in each proposal.

Full details
Inside the Race TeamSample itinerary · Two days

A two-day immersive experience with Bryan Herta Autosport combining team access, race preparation, a live test environment, a proposed race car ride-along and Indianapolis motorsport heritage.

Day 1 · Behind the operation

  • Privately hosted BHA facility and shop experience
  • Meet-and-greet with available team personnel
  • Race engineering, vehicle preparation and technical insights
  • Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum visit, subject to scheduling
  • Optional simulator or technical demonstration, subject to equipment and team access
  • Private dinner with Ray and selected participants

Day 2 · Experience a professional test

  • Attend an approved BHA test-day environment
  • Observe garage operations, preparation and engineering debriefs
  • Interact with available mechanics, engineers and driver and team members
  • Proposed ride-along with a qualified driver, if the passenger configuration, insurance and track approval are confirmed
  • Personal Q&A and post-test discussion
  • Professional photo and video coverage, with a bespoke event recap

What it's for: A highly exclusive two-day program suited to top-client appreciation and smaller curated groups.

BHA has expressed its ability to support this type of experience and has hosted similar programs previously. Specific dates, activities and access still require confirmation. A ride-along is not guaranteed: the passenger vehicle configuration and insurance terms must be verified first, and track permission granted. Client travel and lodging are stated in each proposal.

Full details
Race Weekend InsiderSample itinerary · Two to three days

A fully hosted experience built around an actual 2027 McLaren Trophy America race weekend.

Arrival

  • Private hosted dinner or exclusive reception
  • Optional pre-event speaking session
  • Locally curated off-track activities

On track

  • Approved McLaren Trophy garage and paddock access
  • Meet-and-greets with Ray and available BHA personnel
  • Behind-the-scenes conversations on race preparation, engineering and strategy
  • Premium hospitality at the selected event

Race day

  • Race-day programming and personal hosting
  • Photography and film coverage
  • Optional post-event debrief

What it's for: A premium destination client experience and a direct emotional connection to a live professional sporting campaign.

BHA has confirmed that it can support hosted racing experiences, subject to specific access arrangements. The price shown is an indicative floor; Miami or especially elaborate hospitality may require substantially higher pricing. Access covers the McLaren Trophy operation only, not Formula 1 paddock, garage or team access. Event dates are subject to official confirmation. Client travel and lodging are stated in each proposal.

Full details
Founding Season PartnershipSample itinerary · Full 2027 season

The premier commercial package integrates private client experiences, season-long storytelling, and agreed race-team and driver branding across the planned 2027 campaign.

Before the season

  • Partnership and branding agreed, subject to approvals
  • Curated Monticello Experience
  • Original storytelling begins

During the season

  • Two-day Indianapolis and BHA immersive experience
  • One premium Race Weekend Insider
  • Milestone communications and exclusive client updates

After the season

  • Season debrief opportunities
  • Agreed activation and audience-engagement reporting
  • Priority discussions on what comes next

What it's for: Sustained relationship-building plus public-facing brand visibility throughout an extraordinary, ongoing racing story.

Race car and gear branding, rights, exclusivity and inventory are negotiable and subject to team, championship, manufacturer and existing sponsor approvals. Client travel and lodging are stated in each proposal.

Full details
08 The founding partner

Don't just host an experience. Become part of the entire story.

The premier commercial package integrates private client experiences, season-long storytelling, and agreed race-team and driver branding across the planned 2027 campaign. It's intended to offer more than the three events bought separately; final economics are set in a proposal.

Indicative · until confirmed$275,000–$450,000+Custom guest allocations · Full 2027 season
  • One Monticello Experience, one Indianapolis immersive experience and one Race Weekend Insider
  • Season-long partnership recognition
  • Negotiated branding on the race car, driver gear, apparel and permitted assets
  • Co-branded media and original episodic storytelling throughout the season
  • Agreed rights to approved imagery, video and event recaps for marketing use
  • Client-facing speaking engagements and exclusive updates
  • Personalized messages, milestone communications and season debrief opportunities
  • Agreed activation and audience-engagement reporting
  • Priority discussions regarding additional experiences and partner activations

Race car and gear branding, rights, exclusivity and inventory are negotiable and subject to team, championship, manufacturer and existing sponsor approvals.

Discuss Founding Partner Availability

Going further: a presenting or title-level season partnership starts above $450,000, with enhanced negotiated rights, more event inventory and broader content activation.

Concept render of a graphite and silver McLaren Artura Trophy in a wet pit lane at dusk
Concept render. Not affiliated with or approved by any firm. Branding and marks require approval.

Use your team name only, without a firm name. Renders take up to a minute and are private concepts, subject to your firm's compliance review.

09 Start a conversation

Tell us who
you'd bring.

Only your name and email are needed to start. Ray reads every inquiry himself and replies to arrange a private consultation. Nothing is booked or confirmed until a contract is executed.

Add more detail (optional)

Sent privately to Ray at Desk to Grid. Subject to your firm's compliance approval.

10 FAQ and terms

The fine print,
up front.

Is Ray's 2027 seat confirmed?

No. Ray is pursuing an entry into the 2027 McLaren Trophy America championship with Bryan Herta Autosport. The seat and season are not contracted and depend on funding. Experiences that rely on a race weekend are confirmed only once that is settled, and the proposal will say what happens if it isn't.

Are these prices final?

No. They are planning estimates. A formal quote and scope of work follow a consultation, and nothing is booked or held until a contract is executed.

Are travel and lodging included?

Only where a proposal says so. Each proposal states explicitly whether client travel and lodging are included or excluded.

Does this work with my firm's compliance rules?

Inquiries and participation are subject to your firm's compliance approval, including any gifts and entertainment policy. Advisor co-branding, event invitations, recorded client appearances and marketing communications need the appropriate approvals before use.

Are guest places already held at these events?

No. Hospitality, guest places and access are arranged per proposal, subject to agreements with BHA, the series, each event and vendors. Nothing is held or confirmed before a contract is executed.

Can guests ride in the race car?

Possibly, at an approved BHA test day. BHA has supported ride-alongs before, but the passenger configuration of the car and the insurance terms have to be verified before a ride can be offered, and the track must approve it. It isn't guaranteed.

Does the Miami round include Formula 1 access?

No. The McLaren Trophy round is part of the Miami Grand Prix weekend, April 30 to May 2, with its own timetable still to be confirmed. Access covers the McLaren Trophy operation only, not a Formula 1 paddock, garage or team. The same applies to the INDYCAR, IMSA and WEC weekends.

What about insurance, waivers and filming?

Team access, ride-alongs, track activity and filming all require permissions and suitable insurance. Guests may be asked to sign venue or team waivers, and filmed appearances need each guest's consent and your firm's approval.

Can several advisor teams share an experience?

Yes. Ask about a Shared Regional Experience: several teams in one region share a hosted day or race weekend. Scope, guest numbers and investment are agreed in a proposal, and each team's participation is approved separately.

Will this bring us new clients?

We don't promise that, or any referrals, assets or financial return. What we offer is a rare, personally hosted experience and a story your clients can follow.

Terms
  • All prices are planning estimates pending formal quotes and a scope of work.
  • The 2027 race seat and season participation are not contracted.
  • Team access, ride-alongs, track activity and filming require permissions and suitable insurance.
  • Client travel and lodging are explicitly included or excluded in each proposal.
  • Inquiries and participation are subject to relevant firm compliance approval.
  • No bookings or hospitality inventory are confirmed before contracts are executed.