Can anyone tell me about the Richard Petty driving experience?

[WDWSuperFan]

My husband wants to do this on our next trip. Of course he wants to drive, not ride. I worry about safety. Anyone ever done this, what was it like? I know he would love it, and want to surprise him with it on our trip, but wanted to find out more about it.

 

[kj2mom]

I did the ride along while my husband did the rookie experience. It was a wonderful experience for both of us. He had to take a 'class' before driving so I joined him a little later at the track. I believe the rookie was 8 laps although this was 6 years ago so I could be wrong. He followed an instructor around the track and as long as he maintained the correct distance between him and the professional driver the driver would slowly increase speed. If he failed to maintain the distance, whether too close or too far, then the driver slowed them down.

Not sure how else I can help but please let me know if I can. It was definitely a highlight of our trip. We are big NASCAR fans, our son is actually named after a driver (a Petty driver at that).

I also did it as a surprise for my husband. We were going on Dec 29th so one of the Christmas gifts he opened was a certificate that I had made and gotten laminated that said this entitles you to one Richard Petty Rookie Driving Experience. I had the date all set and actually his mom did the same thing for his Dad and she bought me the ride along so it was a fun morning for us!

 

[WDWSuperFan]

thanks for your reply kj2mom,
The certificate was a great idea! I know my husband would be excited and love the whole experience. He too is a nascar fan.

 

[pooch]

check out mousesavers. Don't know what's out there now but I got a code from them for 1/2 price! Saved $50!

Pooch

 

[eeyore45]

Also check out the reviews on www.allearsnet.com (put Richard Petty in the Search there!) (and my dad is a huge Nascar fan as well!!)

But be careful!! I got this for my dad last Oct - he LOVED it, but as part of the pre planning trip I printed out some of those reviews, he got online, found some more and then he paid to upgrade to the King experience!! He loved it!! It was rainy that week, and so I had booked it for him for our first day, he ended up only getting in a lap or two, and then kept going back (each time getting at least one lap in He thought he got his monies worth that way tho!! lol)

When he finally did the whole thing he then booked the ride along experience for my mom - tricked her into going back with him, then surprised her with it (he bought a shirt or something that was the wrong size!!)

I believe they can even transport you from Disney - I'm sure I read someone on the Dis did ask concierge so even if you dont have a car, you can do this!!

Oh, and my dad was a Florida resident, and they gave him a discount!! When I booked I gave him some info, then they called to confirm something with my mom - the caller ID said "richard petty" Dad busted a gut trying to figure out why Richard Petty was calling my mom!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

If you do it in the morning, don't plan anything important for the rest of the day. After DH did it, he floated around the rest of the day, alternating between telling me over and over how much he enjoyed it and calling all his friends (and I swear some not friends) back home to give them a full description. And this is a person who rarely gets excited. Just before he got in the car, he handed me his sunglasses and his hands were actually shaking he was so excited! I'd say he LOVED it.