For my bdy in Sept, my partner gave me a gift cert for the Richard Petty Driving Experience. You pick a track (closest was Richmond International Speedway), and they suit you up and plop your ass in a 600 HP NASCAR race car.
I did the "rookie" experience, cause I've only been on a track once before. (Yes, I'm a poseur.) Your instructor takes off in a car in front of you, and leads you around the track for 8 laps. You're supposed to keep up with him -- hanging about 3 car lengths back.
If you're doing well, he picks up speed each lap. The Richmond track is pretty small (3/4 mile -- Richmond "International" Speedway??? Give me a break!), so about the fastest you can go is 109, which is what I did. Some people did less.
It's not cheap -- $379. And for that, you're literally on the track less than 5 minutes!
Surprisingly, it was really simple. They really have made it simple, so anyone can do it. The points where you accelerate/decelerate are marked on the track. The instructor only picks up speed if you're doing well. Once you reach 4th, you don't ever have to shift again. There's no passing allowed -- in fact, they pretty much make sure that the 1 or 2 other people on the track are nowhere near you during your run. The track is banked, so I never felt any sense I could lose control. (109? I know most people here have done more than that in their Elise!)
The staff were all really nice, and seemed intent on making sure everyone had a good time -- maybe just a bit too much so, but all in all, they did a really good job.
Would I recommend it? With someone else's money, yes! But I think BSR's F.A.T.T. is more for your $$$, and I know there are other courses similar to Richard Petty's that offer more, too (including passing).
Still, it was quite an experience, and I did have fun doing it. Besides, I got to drive the Elise 2 hours each way, so THAT was fun!
I did the "rookie" experience, cause I've only been on a track once before. (Yes, I'm a poseur.) Your instructor takes off in a car in front of you, and leads you around the track for 8 laps. You're supposed to keep up with him -- hanging about 3 car lengths back.
If you're doing well, he picks up speed each lap. The Richmond track is pretty small (3/4 mile -- Richmond "International" Speedway??? Give me a break!), so about the fastest you can go is 109, which is what I did. Some people did less.
It's not cheap -- $379. And for that, you're literally on the track less than 5 minutes!
Surprisingly, it was really simple. They really have made it simple, so anyone can do it. The points where you accelerate/decelerate are marked on the track. The instructor only picks up speed if you're doing well. Once you reach 4th, you don't ever have to shift again. There's no passing allowed -- in fact, they pretty much make sure that the 1 or 2 other people on the track are nowhere near you during your run. The track is banked, so I never felt any sense I could lose control. (109? I know most people here have done more than that in their Elise!)
The staff were all really nice, and seemed intent on making sure everyone had a good time -- maybe just a bit too much so, but all in all, they did a really good job.
Would I recommend it? With someone else's money, yes! But I think BSR's F.A.T.T. is more for your $$$, and I know there are other courses similar to Richard Petty's that offer more, too (including passing).
Still, it was quite an experience, and I did have fun doing it. Besides, I got to drive the Elise 2 hours each way, so THAT was fun!
