Richard Petty Driving Experience

**erikzola** · 10-05-2008, 05:38 PM

Has anyone done a Petty driving experience recently? I saw the old 2005 posts here on LS1. I'm thinking about doing it this fall but want to see what others think. The track would be Orlando. I hear it's not the best one though.

Your thoughts.....

**Tide** · 10-05-2008, 06:01 PM

A couple buddies and I did the Dale Jarrett one in Talladega a few months ago. It was an absolute blast.

I don't have any basis for comparison against the Petty one, though I'd assume they were similar. I *do* recommend getting the most expensive package that you can afford, though. The 5 or 6 lap ones just aren't long enough I would think. We did the 20 lap package.

How fast you go depends on you and how comfortable your ride along instructor feels you are handling the car. My instructor cut me loose about 5 laps in and said "Hammer down when you're ready". I topped out at 179 mph. It's a bit surreal, to be honest. After a couple laps, your body adjusts to it and it doesn't seem that fast. There's so much downforce on the car and the banking is so steep you barely have to steer. Just keep the throttle down. I've got some great video on a DVD somewhere. I'll see if I can find it.

Do anything stupid and they'll yank your ass out in a heartbeat.

**0rion** · 10-05-2008, 09:36 PM

dega would be the ultimate place to do that at. They do one up in Michigan a buddy of mine wants me to go do with him. He's done it once before and said it was a blast.

**cant.b.caught.z28** · 10-05-2008, 10:07 PM

my dad was just telling me that he got 2 tickets for the richard petty experience this weekend... He was talking about going to florida

**B34M3R** · 10-05-2008, 10:11 PM

Daytona International Speedway FTMFW!~!!!

**flat-top** · 10-06-2008, 05:07 AM

A few years ago I did the RPDE at Daytona. It was $99 for 3 laps. Of course I was the passenger. The driver's name was Rick. When I got in the car, I said, "Rick, drive it like you stole it."

I'm not into Nascar anymore, but what an experience. They say you do about 160-170mph. Yes, I'd do it again.

**redls1** · 10-06-2008, 05:18 AM

I did it and it was great. I want to go to one of the bigger tracks and go faster. We went to the disney one and they limited you to 122mph. My wife did the ride around and went faster. I was on the instructors ass and he keep at bay thats for sure. I had to go high one time so I didnt hit him. I got a shirt, you"ll get a certificate of how fast you went. We took a ton of pics and the wife made a book for me.

**JonB** · 10-06-2008, 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by flat-top

A few years ago I did the RPDE at Daytona. It was $99 for 3 laps. Of course I was the passenger. The driver's name was Rick. When I got in the car, I said, "Rick, drive it like you stole it."

I'm not into Nascar anymore, but what an experience. They say you do about 160-170mph. Yes, I'd do it again.

I did the same a couple years ago totally worth the money. I would like to go back one day and do the driving experience.

If your in fl and around the orlando area you might as well make the short trip to daytona. I would think daytona would be way better than orlando.

**fccs** · 10-06-2008, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by redls1

I did it and it was great. I want to go to one of the bigger tracks and go faster. We went to the disney one and they limited you to 122mph. My wife did the ride around and went faster. I was on the instructors ass and he keep at bay thats for sure. I had to go high one time so I didnt hit him. I got a shirt, you"ll get a certificate of how fast you went. We took a ton of pics and the wife made a book for me.

Gay disney.. lol now the 170s 180s would be fun, but 120? Half of us on this board go faster then that on the highway daily I think id ask for my money back if they didn't let a driver go faster then that aha.

**redls1** · 10-06-2008, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by fccs

Gay disney.. lol now the 170s 180s would be fun, but 120? Half of us on this board go faster then that on the highway daily I think id ask for my money back if they didn't let a driver go faster then that aha.

122 mph was the fastest they would let me go. We have all been faster on the hwy but the turns were cool. I dont regret it.

**hollywood2005** · 10-06-2008, 09:32 AM

i have always wanted to do this but never have

but i did take a curve at 128 on my bike last week and scraped my foot pegs
thourgh most of it

that will get your heart pumping

**cant.b.caught.z28** · 10-06-2008, 02:23 PM

I take my bike out on track days and when my boots scrape goin 80 around corners its scary enough... I would shit myself going 130 and scraping the peg

**flat-top** · 10-08-2008, 10:08 AM

I'm a trackday whore myself!

if you get a chance, go to Calabogie in Canada...unbelieveable

.

**cant.b.caught.z28** · 10-08-2008, 04:27 PM

I usually just go to hallet, OK, and everyonce in a while Heartland park, in topeka KS.
Maybe when I get out of college I will have the chance to travel more to tracks.

**9t8z28** · 10-08-2008, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by 0rion

dega would be the ultimate place to do that at. They do one up in Michigan a buddy of mine wants me to go do with him. He's done it once before and said it was a blast.

X100!! My favorite track!