??? for anyone who has done Richard Petty driving experience

[Mickeyfaniam]

We gave our son the Richard Petty driving experience for his birthday. My question is if he has never driven a car with a standard transmission will he have a difficult time? Should we find a car for him to practice on first? Actually he has tried a standard Honda Accord and didn't do too well. Now he's worried. Thanks for any info.

 

[HvnzCaress]

I'm not 100% sure but I think the information I've read on the driving experience (really hoping to afford it for my husband as a surprise) was that you had to be able to drive a standard. Perhaps he better get practicing.

 

[Shells9]

He will definately need to know, and will need to be pretty good at it to enjoy the experience. After you go through the informational portion and start to drive, there is a pace car in front of you. You can only go as fast as the pace car will let you. DH's fastest lap was 164 mph I think, at Homestead. I would call 1-800-BePETTY and talk to them to be sure. Your son is going to be to out there -- FLYING around banked curves, and for his own safety, needs to understand how things work.

If his skills are slow to develop, you might want to change him to the ride along experience, and save the driving for later.

Have fun -- everyone at the driving school is so nice!

 

[melindaandrob]

This was a gift for my dh also, he drove in Jan. he LOVED it. Being comfortable with stick shift is important, all the guys nearly or did stall the first time they started to drive.
The ride along is just as exciting as driving!

 

[milmore104]

I gave my DH the Kings exp. for a Birthday surprise. You need to have a drivers license as well as being able to drive a stick and drive it well. Your son better get practicing. I was signed up for the rookie exp. but was denied the exp. because I wasn't that great on a stick. I did the ride along. And that was GREAT!!!

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

Thanks for the replies. My son's older brother took him back out last night and he did fairly well this time once he got going. He drove and down shifted just fine. His problem was stalling a few times while trying to get going. He is one to catch on to things pretty good. His brother is going to come spend some time with him before we go so he should be OK. HIs brother also says that his car has a very touchy clutch...the worst he's ever driven....so that doesn't help.

You do leave me with another question though. If a driver went to drive and was unable.....and lets say he did the ride along instead...would they refund the difference?

 

[HvnzCaress]

Again I'm not 100% sure but I don't think they would do a refund. As I understand it, if it rains and they can't drive they will attempt to reschedule later in the vacation or for up to a year but will not refund the money.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

Actually a reschedule would be fine with me...we do plan to return within the year. Thanks.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

Just had another idea
would they take an alternate driver? ...say, my husband...my son could ride with him.

 

[milmore104]

Your son could not ride with your DH. I believe you can switch drivers but if your thinking about that I would wait to fill out all that paper work until you decide who is going to drive.
Also this is non refundable. They will reschedule it for a year if you can't make it back say good bye to your money.

 

[Shells9]

The only "ride alongs" are the actual paid for ride alongs. The paying drivers cannot take riders with them.

Oh, and budget some money for the awesome photos they take -- they are too cool!

 

[Millipore]

I would say you need to be very good at using an ordinary clutch before attempting to use a racing clutch.

If you son is stalling out in an Accord when trying to get started he will surely (and don't call me shirley) stall the race car.

Shifting while moving is not the issue - getting the car moving is...