Auto Racing

[funshipm174]

Just out of curiosity, I'm wondering how that program disney offers where you can take a class, and then ride in a "indy car" several laps around the track is. I have just recently found interest in this sport and was hoping someone on this board experienced the thrill of this attraction ( I think like $300.00!)

Can anyone tell me if they liked it and thought it was worth it?


TIA

 

[BettyCv]

It is the Richard Petty Driving Experience. You can find more info. here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=749005&highlight=richard+petty

There is a "ride along" option for $99. For the actual driving experience, the cost is over $300 but from what I've been reading, there's a 20% discount with AAA or a 10% discount with the Orlando Magic Card ( a free card).

All the reviews I've read have been very positive, except one that said they had a difficult time getting a "rain check" when their original date was rained out - you might want to check into their policy on that.

Betty

 

[funshipm174]

Thanks for the info

 

[Becky2005]

My DH has done Richard Petty twice at 2 different racetracks (not at WDW though) and absolutely loved it! It was worth every penny (AND we actually made a vacation out of going to the tracks! LOL!).

The first time was at Charlotte with the Rookie Experience. I surprised him with it as a gift. He loved it so much that he saved up to do the Experience of a Lifetime and he did that one at Atlanta.

You do have to be able to drive a stick shift car and you do have to be able to get in & out via the window!

I thought their customer service was excellent and they really took care of everyone (even us family members who were just watching! ).

It is true that they have a no-refund policy if it rains, just that they will issue you a voucher to do it at a later time. I'm not exactly sure all the details because it didn't apply to us.

 

[FishNette]

I've been debating about giving my husband the $300 driving experience vs. the $99 ride along. I've heard that the Driving Experience is a lot of class time & when you actually get to drive, you have to follow a line of cars BEHIND a pace car, so you're really not driving very fast.

With the Ride Along program, the professional driver takes you on the track at speeds above 160 mph.

Can anyone confirm this?

If this is true, I think the THRILL would be more in going fast than in taking classes to drive yourself around the track at 70 mph. Agreed?

 

[BunsenH]

FishNette,

Your info is not quite accurate. When you do the Rookie Experience, there is some instruction, but it will seem too little rather than too much. Most of the 'down time' is waiting for your turn. You do not follow a line of cars at 70 mph. You are alone behind one of the instructors. He will adjust lap speed based on your percieved skill. I reached 122 mph, others in my 'class' made it to about 125. The ride along is faster, since it is a professional driver, but the top speed at the WDW 1-mile tri-oval will be about 135 mph.

Don't worry about the Rookie Experience providing the THRILL you seek. Driving a 550 hp stock car for 10 laps at 120+ mph will get the adrenline pumping.

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

Just out of curiosity, I'm wondering how that program disney offers where you can take a class, and then ride in a "indy car" several laps around the track is. I have just recently found interest in this sport and was hoping someone on this board experienced the thrill of this attraction ( I think like $300.00!)

Can anyone tell me if they liked it and thought it was worth it?


TIA

Of course, if you really HAVE to drive an "indy" type car, you could always go over to Tomorrowland in the MK and take a spin on the Indy Speedway.

Sorry, couldn't resist....

 

[Becky2005]

The ride along is faster, since it is a professional driver, but the top speed at the WDW 1-mile tri-oval will be about 135 mph.

THANK YOU!!! It was driving me crazy trying to find the top speed! I *knew* there was a top speed you were allowed at WDW because it was specifically stated that at WDW there was a restriction of X speed. This was several years ago though when DH did the other tracks. DH was saying he had gone faster than the limit at WDW (I think his top speed was 165 mph).

I wanted to double check the top speed since I didn't see it specifically listed again and see if maybe he wanted to try it out at WDW. I thought maybe they got rid of the restriction but I got a non-answer answer when I sent a specific question to RPDE - the answer was "all tracks have a maximum speed".

 

[FishNette]

FishNette,

Your info is not quite accurate. When you do the Rookie Experience, there is some instruction, but it will seem too little rather than too much. Most of the 'down time' is waiting for your turn. You do not follow a line of cars at 70 mph. You are alone behind one of the instructors. He will adjust lap speed based on your percieved skill. I reached 122 mph, others in my 'class' made it to about 125. The ride along is faster, since it is a professional driver, but the top speed at the WDW 1-mile tri-oval will be about 135 mph.

Don't worry about the Rookie Experience providing the THRILL you seek. Driving a 550 hp stock car for 10 laps at 120+ mph will get the adrenline pumping.

Thanks for the clarification! Now, I'm not sure which one would be the best experience for my husband.

 

[kkana]

definately have to look into this a bit more :thewave:

 

[gizfish]

Thanks for the clarification! Now, I'm not sure which one would be the best experience for my husband.

If he is a typical guy, and the money is not a problem, I am betting he would rather drive than be driven.