When life gives you an opportunity, you might as well jump in and try it. I received a gift certificate for 16 laps around Daytona with the Richard Petty Driving Experience, so yesterday I went up and gave it a shot.
Overall, I had a great time, and I certainly recommend it for any race fan. I suspect that anyone reading this has very dim prospects for racing on a superspeedway, so this is your best chance to drive around on one, even though the speed is reduced.
I had to follow a pace car, but I did exactly what they told me, and they eased the speed up as far as they would go for a 16 lap package. We got to 155 mph. I know, I know, they race around Daytona at much faster than that, but this was like dancing with a pretty girl: you get to thinking, “hey this is nice, I want to hold her a little closer and dance a little longer”, but you can only do what you are allowed. Besides, I’ve never gone 155 before anyway.
Gotta give a pat on the back to the RPDE staff. Without exception, they were the friendliest, and most welcoming group I could have hoped for. They were really having a good time too, and made the whole experience better. My pace car driver was former FASCAR champion Brian Bellaw. There was also truck and sprint racer Dustin Henderson, and former Volusia mini stocker Rusty Robertson. Thanks guys!
So there 'ya go; if you have ever wondered what its like, jump in and give it a shot!
A final note: in the picture you can see that the stands were packed with my loyal fans.
That looks good and sounds like real fun Rex. I would to love to try it but probably never will. I’ll probably have to stick to the likes of lil’ 500. but that was fun too. Ocala tonight?
So how was the repave job on the track? I have had a freind that did this at Atlanta. And he also very much enjoyed it. The USA track in Lakeland had something like it years ago with a late modle being driven. David my brother and Aaron his son did that and had lots of fun. So like bonie said give it a try, if you can.
I got to do it at the Disney track when I was asked to write and article for them. It was an awesome experience to say the least. I also did the late model deal at Lakeland when comparing the two the Late Model was far more fun but the cup car was also bad ass!
Our family was given tickets for the Daytona 500 Racing Experience so we went the day after Christmas in 2009. While we did the tour of the track, the RPDE was going on and we got to stand on pit road right next to the cars. I did talk my family into doing the ride along because they didn’t think they could handle those speeds. Maybe this year for Father’s Day I will send my guys to do this. I for one want to drive but not sure if I can shift since I was never good at it.
[QUOTE=carolwicks;64000]if you didnt remove my post which was not offensive in any way then there is some kind of problem with the board… it disappeared.
carol[/QUOTE]
Carol this group of post is about the King of racing. Any talk of Tony in this group of posts WILL be removed.
My wife gave me a RPDE at Disney for my birthday a few years ago and I was REALLY disappointed. It felt like I was going about 80 miles an hour and the guy wouldn’t let me go any faster. I can’t remember what he said my average speed was but it felt ALOT slower. I had to “fake” a big smile for my wife when I got out of the car. LOL!
O boy…I hope you did not leave your wife or female friend to wounder around alone… Brian Bellaw pretty damn nice guy if I say so myself to bad he does not have a ride anymore but Fascar has just seem to run off there drivers due to BS. I know the Dustin Kid not a man of many words. hmm Rusty can’t say that name rings any bells what storys did he tell you Id like a little backround on the guy… if you think about it 155 at a track that size :smilie_bett: o hey boneman did you ask if you could do your own belt? I mean I dont think id want a guy between my legs and after all your a race car driver…
I did this at Disney back in 02. Rob Underwood was my pace guy, I was a little disappointed when I had set fast time of the day at 126. At the time the limit was 125. I did 130 in a Dodge Ram getting there so it was a little boring for me.
what would have happened if you had have blowed by the guy you were fowlling
Aint gonna happen! I’ve tried that with a few girls, but the steering wheel keeps getting in the way.
I hope and pray that Mr. Abney is asking, “what would happen if I ‘blew by’, or passed the pace car I was following?” No, they did not appear to have a way of shutting the car off. I guess I could have driven through the tunnel and made a run for it.
Boneman! It was great to see you and thanks for the kind words about our staff and our program. Now, let me educate you folks about what we do. We provide an exciting experience for people who have never raced to get a once in a lifetime chance to wheel a NASCAR style stock car. Let’s just say if Wayne Anderson showed up to do one of our programs, the first thing I would wonder is what the heck he was doing here! Second, I would suggest that he pass along his experience to a family member(not Dickie ) or possibly a well deserving crew member that would appriciate more. In saying that, let’s say if Ted vulpius showed up. First, I would pretend as if I was glad to see him (just kidding teddly). Then I would tell him that he’s probably above what were doing but to have an open mind and just enjoy himself.///////now as for the poster that suggested that that he had " the fastest time of the day. I find that interesting because we don’t keep track or post such times or speeds. As for the poster that suggested that his instructor wouldn’t take him fast…we have 3 teirs of programs which each have a limit or top speed that we are permitted to take you. At Orlando, 8 laps 122, 16 laps 126,and 30 laps at 131. If an instructor takes you above those limits just because we think your capable, and something bad happens then we would have to find “real” jobs. In fact, roughly only 40% of our students reach the limit for our 8 lap program. All that is required of them is to remain at three car lengths and stay in our tire tracks. As you can see, the general public has a difficult time doing that. I have actually had people I raced with come out and not reach our limits ( not boneman. He was really good). So in closing…purchase a ride along or drive for your Valentine and I promise it will be a homerun. And you might even get lucky
1/2002 at Disney, I still have the free picture they gave me for the fastest speed. I will look around and I may still have the print out they gave me. Rob Underwood and Gary Vivian were the instructors.
