Richard Petty Driving Experience Questions??

[C.Ann]

Okay - rumor has it there is an email floating around that says if you book the 8 lap by Sept. 15th, you can get it for $199 as opposed to $300.. Does ANYONE know where I can get this email? Can I reserve this without the email? I was one of the lucky ones that got the "post card" for the reduced hotel rates - any chance I could sneak this reservation in via that?

My son-in-law - the biggest Nascar/Jeff Gordon fan ever - would absolutely FLIP if we got this for him!! I was thinking that maybe his parents, my DD & I could get him this as a HUGE surprise for our trip the first week of December..

He would be SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy!!

One concern though.. What do they do to guarantee the safety of the participants?

Thanks ahead of time for ANY info you can give me!

 

[Melisa1]

I booked the RPDE yesterday for my DH. I got the $199.00 rate with no problem. The lady that I spoke with said that they cannot offer the rate to the public but if you ask for it they will give you the discount. Hope that helps!

 

[camlace]

My husband did the rookie program a couple of years ago and loved it.

Not to scare you, but you do have to sign many forms/waivers/releases, etc. that state that you are about to participate in a dangerous sport that may result in serious injury or even death. They do provide helmets, the car has a 5 point seat belt (over the shoulder), and the cars are the same cars used in racing, so they have pretty much the same safety devices the real cars do (although I am not sure about the new neck restraints that were required after Dale Sr's death, my husband did the program before the neck restraint was required by NASCAR). There is a video presentation, track tour and car tour before you race, they want to make the experience as safe and fun as possible. I'm sure if you called them they would outline their safety procedures for you. The rookie program only allows speeds up to approx 127 mph, due to insurance, liability etc. I did the Ride Along with the professional driver and we were able to go around 145 mph since there was a professional driving.

My husband would do it again in a heartbeat, just a note...they do offer you 8 additional laps (usually no discounts) while you are in the class, so if you don't want to spend the extra money, make a strong commitment to yourself to just say NO, because once they get you in the race car and you experience the excitement its hard to say NO and that credit card comes out faster than you could ever imagine...speaking from experience...my husband bought the extra laps

Have a great time on your trip!!!
camlace

PS Be sure to bring cameras and video recorders, spectators are allowed to stay in the "pits" and watch, take pix, etc. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience.

 

[Scratch42]

Asked about the $199.00 rate and asked whether or not I could get it!

I got it!

It's my Christmas Present to myself!

I can hardly wait!

Scratch

 

[TiggerStac]

Hi,
Just an fyi, Petty experience is using the Hans device. We did it at Loudon a couple of weeks ago and had to use the hans..the new neck restraint.

 

[EeyoreJMH]

We booked this last weekend at the $199 rate for my FIL on our trip this October. We didn't have the code, and we were not able to book the rate the first time we called, but we tried back at a later time, got a different agent, asked specifially for the $199 special and received it!

Here is the website for the Richard Petty Driving Experience

http://www.1800bepetty.com/

Check out the FAQ for safety information and other neat tidbits.

 

[extreme8]

The number of releases you have to sign before driving borders on ridiculous.
The basic gist of it is that driving a race car is dangerous and if you do something wrong you could be killed, and even if you do everything right you could be killed.

As was mentioned earlier you're driving a purpose built stock car, full rollcage and 5 point harness. The car is setup to handle so well and speeds kept so low (at Disney under 125 mph) that you would really have to go out of your way to get yourself in any trouble.

FWIW, when I did the RPDE last September they used a Hutchins type neck restraint instead of the Hans that TiggerStac used.

 

[Terk-1]

How much is the ride along? How long does it last? Is there a height/weight limit? Is it fun?

 

[TiggerStac]

In the past ride along was $99.00 and it was 3 laps. Not sure if this had gone up or not.

 

[TooBoyz4us]

My DH called on Sunday morning and was told the 199.00 deal had expired

Are ya'll asking with a specific code? Is it the Rookie Experience that is on special?

One more question, do they charge your CC immediately, or do you pay on the day you ride?

Thanks!

 

[Scratch42]

Originally posted by TooBoyz4us
My DH called on Sunday morning and was told the 199.00 deal had expired

Are ya'll asking with a specific code? Is it the Rookie Experience that is on special?

One more question, do they charge your CC immediately, or do you pay on the day you ride?

Thanks!

It was stated that the special ended September 15, 2004 but you could do it until the end of the year.

Yes it's the Rookie Experience.

Yes they charge your CC right away!

Try calling again.

Scratch

 

[C.Ann]

My DD's father-in-law is calling right now to book this for my son-in-law - it's my Christmas gift for him..

PLEASE keep your fingers crossed that he gets it! My SIL will never, EVER stop smiling if I surprise him with this..

And better yet, his DAD wants to do it as well and that will make it EXTRA special - a father/son thing.. Last time they "drove" cars together was when SIL was about 8 or 9 and they were go-karts..

If we get it.....shhhhhhh...we're not saying a word until we drive him there that afternoon!

 

[C.Ann]

Son-in-law and his Dad are all set for Dec. 3rd at 1 p.m.!!



My SIL is going to absolutely FLIP when I surprise him with this!

For anyone interested, total with tax was $211.54..

 

[delswife]

Thanks C.Ann!!!

I just booked Del and Chris for Dec. 12 at 1:00!

Whoo-hoo!!

 

[Kris-PA]

The first time I called I was told there was no such offer for Disney Speedway, just Atlanta Speedway. The rep was not pleasant. I called again the next day armed with info and acted matter-of-fact that I knew about the $199 special & wanted to book it. I was able to with no problems for Mid-Nov for my husband & father-in-law. So if first you don't succeed, try try again.

 

[Villain Dude]

Called today ... and booked Oct. 25 for 1pm ... got the $199.00 rate.


Dude

 

[cmac0531]

Is this just for FL and GA residents???

My husband and I and his two best friends booked this a month or so ago and didn't get the $199 rate...

Do you think that we would be able to call and get this rate or is it only for new reservations??

 

[Maddle]

If you book this ahead - what happens if the weather is bad? (I'm thinking they don't drive the race cars if it's raining.) Do you lose out? Do they reschedule?

Thanks -
Maddle

 

[cmac0531]

Maddle -

If it's raining -- then you will need to reschedule the driving experience. They won't let you drive in the rain.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by cmac0531
Is this just for FL and GA residents???

My husband and I and his two best friends booked this a month or so ago and didn't get the $199 rate...

Do you think that we would be able to call and get this rate or is it only for new reservations??

-----------------------

If they cancelled to they would each be subject to a $75 cancellation fee.. That would still come out cheaper than the normal $400 range fee..

I don't believe it's just for FL and GA residents as the confirmation and forms that need to be filled out are being sent to New York state in our case..