Richard Petty Driving Experience
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Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,257
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From: calgary alberta
Richard Petty Driving Experience
Has any one done this at disney world and if so is it worth the $$ ?
http://www.expedia.ca/pub/agent.dll?qscr=tsdt
http://www.expedia.ca/pub/agent.dll?qscr=tsdt
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
I did a one day Skip Barber event up in CT at Limerock Park. I can honestly say, I have never had that much fun in one day with my clothes on.
We did evasive action, and threshold braking in a dodge neon R/T; wet skidpad in a dodge dakota, then onto the autocross track with the neon again. once we got used to the track, the vipers came out and we drove them bad boys around.... all with nothing but a comlete lack of respect for the car... every start was WOT and dump the clutch, while ever stop I came to utilized the handy E-brake... even the instructors were getting a kick out of it. I dont know too much about the Petty driving experience program, but Ill tell you this much, the Skip Barber event was worth every penny.
We did evasive action, and threshold braking in a dodge neon R/T; wet skidpad in a dodge dakota, then onto the autocross track with the neon again. once we got used to the track, the vipers came out and we drove them bad boys around.... all with nothing but a comlete lack of respect for the car... every start was WOT and dump the clutch, while ever stop I came to utilized the handy E-brake... even the instructors were getting a kick out of it. I dont know too much about the Petty driving experience program, but Ill tell you this much, the Skip Barber event was worth every penny.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Absolutely worth it.
I stumbled on to it as we were heading to the airport to go home so all I could do was the ride along since if you want to drive alone you must take the classroom instruction. I did not have time for that so only did the ride along.
As far as I am concerned, and this is only MY opinion, it's the best ride at Disney. We went 145 mph and I told the driver I would be glad to do his job all day for free. He declined my offer. I'd love to chauffeur people on the track at 145 all day.
It did not seem like we were going very fast but that's because there was only one other car on the track at the same time. In traffic with others at same speed it might feel totally different.
I loved it. Best money I ever spent at Disney and we go twice a year.
Kurt
I stumbled on to it as we were heading to the airport to go home so all I could do was the ride along since if you want to drive alone you must take the classroom instruction. I did not have time for that so only did the ride along.
As far as I am concerned, and this is only MY opinion, it's the best ride at Disney. We went 145 mph and I told the driver I would be glad to do his job all day for free. He declined my offer. I'd love to chauffeur people on the track at 145 all day.
It did not seem like we were going very fast but that's because there was only one other car on the track at the same time. In traffic with others at same speed it might feel totally different.
I loved it. Best money I ever spent at Disney and we go twice a year.
Kurt
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 884
Likes: 45
From: Hardeeville, South Carolina
Yep....I had a chance to do this in July at the Chicago/Joliet Speedway. Thy have a full blown Petty program.
Worth every nickel......No drive along for me, I drove the car, 147mph top speed and got to do 8 laps following/drafting right behind a professional...what a kick in the pants!
Gave me allot more respect for what the real NASCAR drivers do for a living too.....
Do it if you get a chance...
Worth every nickel......No drive along for me, I drove the car, 147mph top speed and got to do 8 laps following/drafting right behind a professional...what a kick in the pants!
Gave me allot more respect for what the real NASCAR drivers do for a living too.....
Do it if you get a chance...
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 334
Likes: 1
From: Averill Park N.Y.
Originally Posted by collectskulls
Has any one done this at disney world and if so is it worth the $$ ?
http://www.expedia.ca/pub/agent.dll?qscr=tsdt
http://www.expedia.ca/pub/agent.dll?qscr=tsdt
It was $400.00 for 8 laps. I was in the car alone and had to follow the instructor in another car. He controlled the speed which was a max of 140 MPH. Awesome horsepower. Car stuck like glue. I'd do it again in a minute.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 21
From: West Tennessee
Heck yes it is worth it. Pay close attention to the instructions. At Disney, most guys get on the gas far too late to get the lap times up. Roll off the gas at the cone, dont quickly release the throttle, then start easing into the throttle, firmly, coming off the corner. And remember the car WILL stick and stay off the brakes! You will be exhausted after your laps! 
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 2
From: Flanders NJ
I did it about 7 years ago and it was worth every penny. I drove the 6 laps at Disney, 128 mph, the instructor in front of said he would have let me go faster but they were not allowed to let anyone above 125 for insurance reasons. It was a ball, I got out of the car and was soaking wet and still shaking from the adrenaline rush. The Disney track is a short tri-oval, so there is no long straight away.
If you want a real high speed run do Pocono Raceway, you can get up to 165 on the back straight away and because it's a 2.5 mile track you get a much longer ride.
I think Disney is priced higher for what you get because it's Disney.
You can get a much better deal at other racetracks around the country.
If you want a real high speed run do Pocono Raceway, you can get up to 165 on the back straight away and because it's a 2.5 mile track you get a much longer ride.
I think Disney is priced higher for what you get because it's Disney.
You can get a much better deal at other racetracks around the country.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 473
Likes: 2
From: Champlin Minnesota
My mom and Grandpa won a trip from coca-cola to the Richard Petty driving school in Las Vegas, I got to go onto the pits and watch. My mom liked it alot, my grandpa absolutely loved it, he went back twice after that and did it again only more than 8 laps (think he did 20 or something?) Too bad I was only 15 at the time, for insurance reasons you have to be 18, with valid drivers license and insurance.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: CORTLANDT MANOR NY
I have done it twice once in Charlotte and once in Louden. Absolutely the best event I have ever participated in . Ran 157 MPH in Charlotte and 148 MPH in Louden. I did the program where you do 3 10 lap sets gradually increasing speed each time. A real blast. I don't know if the Disney deal is the same.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 1
From: Deep in the Heart of Dixie Alabama
Originally Posted by collectskulls
Has any one done this at disney world and if so is it worth the $$ ?
http://www.expedia.ca/pub/agent.dll?qscr=tsdt
http://www.expedia.ca/pub/agent.dll?qscr=tsdt
It is worth every penny. Very impressive.
Last edited by bamavettes; Nov 18, 2005 at 06:44 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
I did the Disney location as my first experience. It's not a bad track for a first time out -- except I was the first guy out first thing in the morning and the car pushed in the middle of 1 and 2 -- taught me one thing -- I LIKE LOOSE! 
I did it again a few years later at the Milwaukee Mile, which is a flat track -- again a different experience.
If you expect to "drive" like a race car driver, you'll be let down. If you can drive your car beyond the comfortable zone and feel it out, you'll be let down -- they don't push it/you at all -- you follow another driver (unless you do the ride along - that's fast and short).
I would consider going back for the Ultimate or King experience -- 4 or 8 laps ain't enough when your'e out there, and I'd like to test my driving skills a little more than that.
However, if you are a "typical" driver, then you'll find this to be quite rewarding. Better be able to drive a stick.
I'd like to do one of the 4 day programs like at Bristol or whatnot -- take the training wheels off!
Brian.
I did it again a few years later at the Milwaukee Mile, which is a flat track -- again a different experience.
If you expect to "drive" like a race car driver, you'll be let down. If you can drive your car beyond the comfortable zone and feel it out, you'll be let down -- they don't push it/you at all -- you follow another driver (unless you do the ride along - that's fast and short).
I would consider going back for the Ultimate or King experience -- 4 or 8 laps ain't enough when your'e out there, and I'd like to test my driving skills a little more than that.
However, if you are a "typical" driver, then you'll find this to be quite rewarding. Better be able to drive a stick.
I'd like to do one of the 4 day programs like at Bristol or whatnot -- take the training wheels off!
Brian.
Team Owner
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...did the Ride-A-Long @ Disney for $99 in 2001, 2002 did 18 laps(me driving following an instructor)@ Michigan International @ 164mph and in 2004 did 18 laps @ Charlotte(again, me driving following an instructor)@ 155mph. The RUSH is unforgettable. Next year, I'm supposed to do the two day Watkin's Glen Program for $2995. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Hoosier
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Originally Posted by ccryder
Yep....I had a chance to do this in July at the Chicago/Joliet Speedway. Thy have a full blown Petty program.
Worth every nickel......No drive along for me, I drove the car, 147mph top speed and got to do 8 laps following/drafting right behind a professional...what a kick in the pants!
Gave me allot more respect for what the real NASCAR drivers do for a living too.....
Do it if you get a chance...
Worth every nickel......No drive along for me, I drove the car, 147mph top speed and got to do 8 laps following/drafting right behind a professional...what a kick in the pants!
Gave me allot more respect for what the real NASCAR drivers do for a living too.....
Do it if you get a chance...
Did it in Joliet Oct 7th. Ride-along and 8 times around driving. I'll be doing it again for sure!!!!!