[smee57]

Seriously considering making a reservation for my DH who is a BIG stock car fan. Wondering if it's worth it. I see it's located right outside MK. THis might make this the ultimate trip for him.

[MJD]

Originally Posted by smee57

Seriously considering making a reservation for my DH who is a BIG stock car fan. Wondering if it's worth it. I see it's located right outside MK. THis might make this the ultimate trip for him.

I would love to try that !!!

[smee57]

Yeah, I think he would, too. Especially given the way he likes to drive on the freeway now and then . I'm also wondering how long the experience takes. Gotta plan the perfect day, you know.

[karliebug]

My DH did the ride along experience on our last trip. I got a ticket off ebay for only $40. I think it costs $100 otherwise. He is a big nascar fan and really enjoyed it. They take your picture in the car and he said it was a lot of fun. We couldn't afford the drive it yourself package but that would really be awesome.

[Turnwrench]

I've done it and it's very well worth it if you DH is a NASCAR fan. They offer several different levels of program - from a $99 "ride-along" where you ride in the passenger seat and a professional driver drives, all the way up to the $1,300 Experience of a Lifetime where you get to drive the car by yourself for 30 laps. I went all-out when I did it and bought the Experience of a Lifetime. It was expensive, but as a big NASCAR fan I found it worth every penny.

When you arrive in the morning you are first directed to a classroom where you sign the obligitory and comprehensive waivers and are given instructions on what to do and how to do it. You also get fitted for a racing suit, but it's just a cotton overall-type thing and is not the fireproof suits that the real drivers wear. Then everyone gets in a van driven by one of the instructors for a tour of the track. You are shown the correct driving line, turn entry and exit points, and the flagstand.

Then you get into your car (caution - you have to climb in through the window just like the real drivers. Be aware of this if your DH suffers - as I do - from a girth impairment). The cars a real NASCAR race cars in every aspect except horsepower. They are somewhat detuned to about 600 hp as opposed to the almost 800 that the real Nextel Cup cars produce. Once you've got the car started and managed to get it moving without stalling (almost everyone stalls at least once), you follow an instructor who's driving a car in front of you. The goal is to stay 3-4 car lengths behind the instructor. If you get closer he/she will wave you off and you slow down. If you get too far away the instructor will slow down until you catch up. If you stay within that distance the instructor will go faster. So how fast you go is really up to you and how well you can control your car.

It was an amazing and exteremely fun experience. I was blown away by the power of the car and the grip it had in the corners. I entered every corner almost positive that I was going to slide and hit the wall or spin out, but the car just stuck and turned with incredible force. And just FYI - my top speed was 132 mph. I know that seems slow, but with as small as the WDW track is there's not enough room to go much faster.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[MerlinMatt]

TW, great info! "girth impairment" - I LOVE that!

I drive a Passat with a stick and about 170hp. 600 horses? Man, what a thrill that would be.

I have 2 questions that I think would be good for everyone...

How dangerous does it feel?

Also, just for general information, how long were you actually at the track?

[Turnwrench]

Originally Posted by MerlinMatt

TW, great info! "girth impairment" - I LOVE that!

I drive a Passat with a stick and about 170hp. 600 horses? Man, what a thrill that would be.

I have 2 questions that I think would be good for everyone...

How dangerous does it feel?

Also, just for general information, how long were you actually at the track?

Yes, it's true. I am either girth impaired or diametrically challenged, depending on who you ask. ;-)

It didn't feel dangerous to me at all, but you have to keep in mind that according to my wife I drive like I'm on a racetrack every day. I love going fast and enjoy thrills and high g-forces so take my opinion for what it's worth. The cars aren't necessarily difficult to drive, but they are very brute, powerful machines. The clutch is stiff, the engine is loud, the shifter is long and somewhat notchy. If you're a timid person you probably wouldn't like it. However, the instructors are great and are very careful to make sure that they don't go faster than your ability will let you drive. After all, they don't want wrecked cars and unhappy customers any more than you want to wreck and be unhappy.

How long you're at the track depends on which experience you do. If you do the ride-along you'll be there less than an hour. The 30-lap experience I did took about 3.5 hours (it's broken up into 3 10-lap sessions), and that's probably at the top end of time you'd spend there for any of the programs.

[hiner]

A friend of mine at work was given the experience from his DW for their 25th wedding anniversary. He said that it was totally awesome. He brought in a photo that they took and he looks good in the jumpsuit.

[iluvwdw2]

Wow!! That sounds like it's going to be so much fun.

[disneymom]

Do they have any more economical ways to drive by yourself? $1300 is a bit stiff for me but I am sure my husband would love it!

[Turnwrench]

They do. There are several different drive-by-yourself options. Check out their website for details: http://www.1800bepetty.com.

[disneymom]

Thanks for the site information. I appreciate it!

[pkc123]

My son and I did the ride-along last year.We loved it and recommend it to any Nascar fan.It was so much fun.I wish I could afford the drive program (hint hint if my DW is reading this )The power those cars have is awesome.You couldn't wipe that grin off our faces for a least a week.All we kept saying is WOW!! If you have the time at least do the ride-along you'll love it.

[disneymom]

Is this something that my 10 year old son could enjoy with my husband or would he be bored?

[pkc123]

I'm pretty sure you have to be 16 years old to do the ride along.