Richard Petty Driving Experience

[jean m]

This was absolutely the BEST RIDEof the week as far as DH and DD's boyfriend were concerned. They couldn't have had bigger smiles.$ 90 plus tax for the Ride- Along. They have a shuttle from the Kennel area at the TTC every 20 min. The Ride isn't done if it's raining. I didn't try it. may be a little scotch, but mostly I do better getting in and out of cars with doors!

 

[GONETODISNEY]

Glad to hear your husband enjoyed it. I am thinking of getting this for my husband while we are there. Can you tell me do they have any restrictions? Height, weight, age? Also, was the experience rather tame or outrageous? My DH has head injury, but this is a dream of his. Thanks for a great post.

 

[kbkids]

I'd be interested in hearing a little more detail too. I'm planning to surprise my husband with this in May for his birthday, except I'm going to do the 8-lap $300 package. (PLEASE DON'T LOOK AT THESE BOARDS, HONEY!) Anyway, my main concern is, well, hubby's tummy resembles Pooh's - I've heard that the doors don't open and that you have to go through the windows like the real race car drivers. Is he going to fit?

 

[Shelby5514]

My DH did the 8 lap program in 2000 and LOVED it. He's 6'2" and weighed around 250 at the time. He had more trouble with his height than the extra around the middle. You suit up in a jumpsuit, which they have in many, many sizes. And YES you have to crawl through the window to enter the car. Like I said he LOVED it at the time. (He is now into auto-cross racing so this dosen't thrill him anymore.) The highest speed they let you get is maybe 120, he was held back to around 110. You do follow a pace car around the track. After your 8 laps they do offer more laps at a discounted rate. My mother and I watched from the bleachers and tried to video tape as best we could. It was a great time for him and one your husband will never forget.
Shelby5514

 

[kbkids]

Shelby - do you remember what the discounted rate was for the extra laps?

 

[DisneyMom5]

I haven't read much about this activity - does the guest get to DRIVE the car, or just ride along? DH would only want to do it if he could drive, but I wasn't sure that was even possible.

 

[kbkids]

Disney Mom - this link will tell you more about it. You can do either - drive or ride - of course driving costs way more! You can get a little bit of a discount if you have annual passes.

http://allearsnet.com/btp/petty.htm

 

[DisneyMom5]

Just the info I needed, Thanks!

 

[ToddBreakey]

You can also find out more about the other packages the they offer at Richard Petty Driving Experience .

Wish I was going!!!

Shelby - I also autocross!! I drive a Mustang GT, what does your husband drive?

 

[Shelby5514]

The extra laps offered were around $175 for 8. I'll have DH post about his experience.

Todd- He also drives a Mustang GT--1984.

Shelby5514

 

[MrsJ Henry]

my husband wants to do the ultimate driving experience and drive the car himself for the 30 laps. has anyone done this and how was it?

 

[01Sweetpea]

How far in advance do you have to reserve this? Our trip for Feb is fairly booked, but if a day opens up, I would LOVE to give this as a gift to DH.

 

[jean m]

Originally posted by 01Sweetpea
How far in advance do you have to reserve this?
YOu don't have to reserve for the ride-along,but you need to call for the other rides. Call as soon as you know if you'll have time. We called in the a.m. for the ride along and they said to turn up from noon on as they had the ride alones that a.m.
Jean

 

[vicb]

I have booked the "rookie" pkg. for DH in Feb. He is very excited! And hoping for discounted lap opportunities. I have read that they are only offered if time is available (ie: full class takes more time, might not be enough time before next round comes in). I am thinking about doing the ride along experience after DH's class, they said I wouldn't need a reservation. I'll decide when I'm there, see how my "chicken" factor is and how my kids are at waiting.

I will post a review when we return.

 

[Shelby5514]

Shelby5514's DH here to tell you more about the experience. The program lasts about 4 hours from start to finish. If I remember correctly, there is a morning and afternoon session. Everyone from the 8 lap to 30 lap package runs at the same time. They run about 2 - 3 cars on the track at the same time, and they stagger them so you will not meet other drivers. When you arrive you check in to let them know you are there, and then get into a Richard Petty Jumpsuit for your session. You watch a safety video and they tell you about what is going to happen. When done with that, they take you into a van and drive around the track to show you the proper driving line to follow. They then take you to a staging area and fitted with helmets and you wait for your turn. The cars are 600 HP stock cars and they have a manual transmission. You do need to know how to drive a stick in order to do the program. Getting in and out of the car was tricky as I am tall, but not too much of a problem. If you are really heavy around the middle, it could be a problem. I was watching America's Funniest Home Videos and a heavy guy was having trouble getting out, and they had to pull him out head first! When your turn comes, they take you to the car and assist you in getting in. Once in, they strap you in with a 5 point harness. Once strapped in, they give you the go signal and your instructor takes off and you follow him. There are 4 gears on the transmission, and you will shift at the proper shift points, and you will be in 4th gear by the time you reach the track, then they tell you to leave it in 4th gear for the remaining time. The more you keep the 3 car distance from your instructor, the faster you can go. If you get too close or if you are out of the driving line, they will slow down. The maximum speed for drivers at this track is 125 MPH. I got to 124 MPH, and to me, did not feel that fast, and while watching other drivers on the track while waiting, did not look that fast to me. It was fun, but since I have done other racing, I would not waste my time and money again. If you have never experienced racing of any kind before, this is the ticket and an experience you will not soon forget. Once over, you turn in your jump suit, and they have souvineers and pictures of your experience. A little expensive, but a good way to remember your experience. Hope this helps, and your DH's will enjoy it.

 

[extreme8]

From a previous post of mine regarding my Richard Petty Driving Experience;

My wife gave me the gift of the RPDE just last month -September-and it was just great. It seems a little bit expensive before hand (as I'm sure you already know) but looking back it was worth every cent.
I did the Rookie Experience (8 laps) but there was enough time left over that they offered to add 10 more laps (an upgrade to the Kings Experience) at a substantial discount - an extra $200.

I did the morning session, which starts about 7:30. If you have your own transportation you can just drive to the track, if not their shuttle picks you up at the TTC.
You enter through the tunnel between turns 1 and 2 and go straight to the RPDE building in the infield. It's a nice building with a stock car on display, all the RPDE merchandise for sale, and bathrooms.
They sign you in, check that you have signed all the disclaimers and lead you into the back classroom to fit you with a drivers suit. While you wait for the other drivers to arrive and suit up they show a video of Nascar wrecks - like you're not nervous enough already.
The Staff is great, the leader of the class (Art) is upbeat and fun. They realize that even though it's a twice a day occurance for them, this is a big deal for us and they do a great job of being excited for us. They make you feel like a real driver, not just a tourist in a drivers suit. They introduce the instructors (Brett and Hollywood) and give you the rundown on what your morning will be like. Then it's...

Out to the track! Everybody piles into a van and you take a slow lap of the track. They tell you that you will follow an instructor who is 3 car lengths ahead of you the entire time. He decides how fast you will be allowed to go, (top speed your first time is 125 mph). They show you your marks, where to enter a turn, where to apex, where to lift, how to enter the track, how to enter the pits, explain the flags, etc. I found it interesting because my 8 year old races and I give him the exact same talk every time he gets in his car. The second lap is at about 60 mph, but it seems much faster in a top-heavy van.
Back in the pits everybody gathers around the cars for a safety talk and orientation. They explain the saftey gear & fire systems, belts, oil pressure lights, shift lights, etc.
They were full of comforting thoughts like when explaining the fire extinguishing system; "just because you see smoke don't mean theres a fire. Don't pull this unless theres flames all up in here (pointing to dashboard). Ah, you all look like smart guys. You get on fire I'm sure you'll figure it out."
Quite often during this talk I heard the phrase "I'ts never happened, but it could..."
Back to the tent to wait. I went last out of 15 guys. As each driver went out to his car they played loud music and introduced them to the crowd (familys of the drivers). It was cheesy but fun. I watched all 14 guys run, several stalling in the pits, some running terrible lines on the track, and began to unwind a bit.
I was very nervous in the beginning, but as time went on I became really relaxed and comfortable. After all, it's only a car.
Time to drive. Before you go out they fit you with a Hutchins device to prevent neck injury (they should make one to prevent groin injury - those harnesses loop around you legs in that area and they are tight!), and a helmet. You're sent to your car and climb on in through the window. Ever wonder why professional drivers put their helmets on inside the car? Because they don't fit through the window opening very well and you look like an idiot trying to get in.
I talked to the guy strapping me in and he informed me that his regular job is at the front desk of a resort and he only does this one day a week. Fortunately I was familiar with the 5 point harness and kind of double-checked his work.
Next thing I knew the instructor was pulling out and I was right behind him. I didn't stall, didn't blow any shifts, hit my marks, and pulled back into the pits 8 laps later with a top speed of 123.89 mph.
I've never driven anything that handled like those 600hp stock cars. It's like a video game, just point it and it goes. I went into my first turn thinking "there's no way this car is going to stick" but quickly realized that if there was any doubt about the car's ability to handle the track they wouldn't put us amateurs inside, so I just kept my foot in it and drove it down to the line. I was no where near the limits of that vehicle at any point in the ride - either speed or handling.
After it's all over you meet back in the classroom for a little ceremony where you get your certificates and a chance to buy your pictures. I bought mine
We're going back to DW in May and I hope I can convice my wife to let me spend the $$$ again. Well worth it.

Ok, when I re-read this post I realized it changed from a descritption of RPDE to a trip report , but I had fun remembering my experience and hopefully it will help you make a decision.

 

[funhouse8]

My husband just did this in Jan. He loved it. We called up the day bafore to make the appointment, It doesn't have to be made to far in advance. There are two classes the 8am and 1pm. We did the 1pm and were done around 3:30. His class had around 20 people in it, but I heard they will have up to 35. You have to wait till everyone is finished and then you go inside for your cert. with top speed. Ny husband went 122 and he also said he didn't think he was driving that fast. He had no problem getting in and out of the can and he is 5'6" and 195 pounds. It was the highlight of his trip. You can save 10% with the orlando magic card. Go and have fun! Gina

 

[Simba's Mom]

If they announce the drivers, does that mean that usually the whole family goes to watch? I mean, I certainly want to if that's usual, but since we're going in May, I don't want to just stand around shuffling my feet for 3 hours in the hot sun.

 

[extreme8]

A lot of the drivers had family members watching.
They have a small grandstand/bleachers under a tent for family and friends to sit and watch.
You're able to take pictures and talk to your driver, since they wait under the same tent while preparing to drive.

My wife watched the first time and was glad she went (so was I), but says she's not planning to go with me if I drive again.
It was great to have her there to share my excitement. All of our wives seemed to enjoy watching us drivers walking around patting each other on the backs acting like a bunch of kids.
We all know how unusual it is to see your husband acting like a child, right?

 

[funhouse8]

We stayed and watched. It was alot of fun. They took us around in the van to show us the track. Stopped by a pond shaped like a mickey head and looked for garter. Didn't see on but it was fun anyway. Back by the stands the CM were busy keeping us amused with sing alongs and karaoke. The time went very fast and the look on his face was priceless. I looked at it this way. He puts up with us in the parks and on our Disney vacations all the time. One day for him was worth it. We did the afternoon session and were done early. Gina

Once again don't forget to use the Orlando Magic card for a 10% discount.