Petty Driving Experience

[Terk-1]

I was thinking of doing the "riding experience". When I called for information, she told me that it would be $89 plus tax at the WDW Speedway for 3 laps around the 1 mile track at 145 miles an hour, which she said would be done in about 3 minutes.

Has anyone done this? Is it worth the money?

 

[Terk-1]

Can anyone help me here???

 

[DisneyWorldDad]

It was worth it and then some!

You take a simulated qualifying lap around the speedway, which is at race speed (150 mph or so). It really gives you a feeling of what the drivers go through.

DWD

 

[Terk-1]

Thanks DisneyWorldDad!! I wanted to do the rookie experience, but since I don't know how to drive a standard, that was out. Are there days that are busier than others there? What about time of day? If there is no one waiting, can you go again?

 

[DisneyWorldDad]

Terk-1....

When I did it, it was a weekday and I was the only one there doing the ride along. I would imagine that if you went back around and bought another ticket, you could get right on. It really is a neat experience. I never let go of the "sissy" handle the whole way around! It was hard for me to keep my perspective on where I was on the track, until I passed the flag stand. I found myself dizzy after I got out of the car as well. When you take off down pit road, it is at "race speed". I kept thinking to myself that he had better slow down so that we can make the 90 degree turn to enter the track between turns 1 & 2 but he never did!

 

[Terk-1]

Thanks again for your response DisneyWorldDad! I was thinking of doing this one morning before heading to one of the parks during the week. I only wish I knew how to drive a stick (Aaaahhhhhhh)!

Even though I can't drive the car, the riding experience sounds like a blast!!! I'm guessing this will be one of the highest points of my trip!!!

Few more questions. Since I'm going on this trip solo, there won't be anyone with me to take a picture. Are there CM's or staff members at the track that will take some pictures for you? Also, are all the cars labeled with Richard Petty?

I read somewhere that they have retired vehicles of Dale E. (3), Dale Jr. (8) & Jeff Gordon (24) that they use at the "experience" tracks. I would absolutely LOVE it if I could even be a passenger in one of Jr's retired cars. That would be a ride of a lifetime!!! (can you tell I'm a big fan of #8?)

Thanks again for all your help!!!

 

[DisneyWorldDad]

Glad to help!

They took a professional photo of me when I was in the car, (similar to the type they take as you walk into a park) but I was so pumped when I got out of the car that I forgot to check on the details of how to get it! It's such a laid back atmosphere, that I'm sure if you took a camera, one of the Driving Experience employees would take a picture.

My car just happened to be a replica of Jeff Gordon's, but I'm sure it had the RP Driving experience logo somewhere. Being originally from NC, I was an Earnhart fan myself. I grew up about 30 min. from RCR and 30 min. from Petty Enterprises as well. My college roommate's stepdad was Dale's Uncle, so I understand where you are coming from! I live about 15 min from Dawsonville, GA, so I'm a Bill Elliott fan now.

DWD

 

[Terk-1]

DWD,

I was planning on doing this once, but am so excited from your posts, that I have planned on doing it twice (once towards the beginning of the trip & again towards the end).

They have a picture in the new Birnbaum's guide with the cars having the number 43 on the lights.

Thanks again for all your info DWD!!