WEST BADEN, Ind. -- From Mercedes to Maseratis, a slew of exotic cars are hitting the roads this week -- not in Los Angeles, but in southern Indiana.

The World Class Driving Festival is under way at the West Baden Springs Hotel, 6News' Ben Morriston reported.

The flashy event features $12 million worth of luxury vehicles, but it's more than just a car show, organizers said. Participants can pay to get behind the wheel of their favorite vehicles.

"We set it up to drive a number of different cars, some I've never seen before," said Tom Campbell, who drove in from Memphis, Tenn., to take a spin in a Maserati GT.

Packages to drive as many as 12 exclusive cars vary from $900 to $2,800, organizers said.

The festival is the brainchild of Jean Paul Libert, who said he chose southern Indiana because of its ideal driving terrain.

"On the countryside we have great roads so people can really experience the car. We have twisty roads; we have roads which are a little bit faster," he said.

The hotel hopes to make the festival an annual event.

"This year we’re planting the seed for something that's hopefully going to grow into a giant oak tree over the years and we'll be a big as the Concours d'Elegance out in Pebble Beach," said hotel spokesman Mark Bommarito.

The festival ends Sunday.