I was thinking about signing my boyfriend up to experience racing on a real track as a surprise birthday gift. I was hoping if anyone here has experienced Richard Petty's Driving Experience, or know someone who has, and if they think it's worth it or not. It's a great deal of money (for me it is anyway), and I know my boyfriend is CRAZY about racing, and he's actually been flirting with the idea of making it his career. He has no idea where to start, so i thought this might be a fun way to at least get a taste of it.

Any comments about this? Please let me know, I need to book a slot for my boyfriend soon before it's all full. Thanks everyone!!

 

I dunno, me and my ex both loved Nascar and racing, but we had 2 chances to try RPDE (once in Vegas, once in Fla). Each time we ixnayed it due to price...we were even making good money at the time.

I gotta think, esp. in the south where racing is much more popular than it is here in New England, that there are cheaper ways you can get your bf behind the wheel of a stock car.

Have you tried local tracks near you?

 

Loads of fun!!! But I didn't have to pay for it. I got two sessions as a passenger. I think the bill was $100 per session. Each session was around five laps at 160mph in Atlanta. It was a lot of fun and he would remember it.

I didn't get to drive, but it was still a lot of fun.

One of the local tracks probably holds a drive training event where you bring your own car and instructors teach you how to race it on the track. Summit Point in WVA. calls it Friday at the track (FATT) and is $175 for the entire day.

 

If he's ok with driving his own car on the track, check out http://www.chinmotorsports.com

For $250 he can drive Road Atlanta, Roebling Road (Savannah), or Sebring (Florida) with an instructor in his car with him. Plus he'll do a few hotlaps in the instructors car as a passenger.

Also, you can you AMEX Awards Points on RPDE, if you have a personal or corporate card and have been saving up points.

 

I've got a friend who was a driver/instructor for Richard Petty's Driving Experience. He loved it and and claimed to students loved it. I know several people who have done it and loved it. In fact they liked it so well that I would like to do it and I'm a fan of open wheel cars NOT Nascar. I do own and drive a racecar but only on road courses. Still, I'd do it.

The other options mentioned above are excellent also.

 

I have done several RPDE at Atlanta, Charlotte, Bristol, Phoenix, Fontana, and each one was a lot of fun. And they were the King's Experience (individual sessions where you drive on your own for 15 laps). I would not recommend anything but the King's Experience. However, note I did not have to pay for my sessions- perks of the job.

But I have also taken my car to the tracks (which I pay for) and, personally, had much more fun. Only because I felt more comfortable and was familiar with the handling of my car. And you get a lot more time track time- which is more important if he wants to compete.

RPDE is great and your boyfriend will have a lot of fun. But for the price of RPDE (the King's experience) you will be able to buy at least 2 or 3 days at the tracks mentioned in a previous post.

Either way its a great gift idea!

 

I did the California Speedway deal, it was the funnest day I have had in a few years!!! 160mph flat out all around the track. There is nothing like a race prepped 6-700hp car under your ass, no matter how tuned your street car is.
MAtt

 

I did it at Las Vegas Speedway. 16 laps.

It was alot of fun. Even better fun was Russel Racing School in No.California. Three days of CART racing and instruction. I would have to say, Russel Racing is a experience of a lifetime.

 

Thanks everyone for your advice and suggestions. I can only afford the rookie experience, sorry huskergirl, can't afford the king's experience, haha.

but after this, i'll see if my boyfriend is willing to race his own new car. I think he'd baby it too much to take any chances. haha.

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!!!

 

Hey, if cost is an issue, you might want to consider Mazda's Rev-It-Up.

http://www.mazdarevitup.com/starthere/f_default.asp

I'm thinking about doing it this year. Those who've done it say it's very well worth the $40 (for a day). I'm not sure how far you are from Atlanta though.