Recommendations / suggestions for Richard Petty Experience

[MPTech]

My son (with some help from my wife and daughter) surprised me with airline tickets at Christmas to Dallas at the end of January. AND he (they) scheduled me for the Richard Petty Experience at Texas Motor Speedway! How cool is that! He also called me today to inform me that he will be doing it too (he's 26). (btw, don't tell my wife he's doing it too, she'd have a COW if she knew)

Just wondering what to expect and if there are any suggestions from anyone that has done this before.
I'm pretty stoked. I've done close to 120 in my roadster (once), but they state 150-ish.

Might also talk him into swinging by Gas Monkey Garage and seeing Richard Rollins :001_rolleyes:. We ate at his bar last year (food was Meh, but it did have atmosphere only a gearhead could love.)

 

[Steve Fehr]

Mark:

I did the Richard Petty thing out in Vegas a number of years ago. I did the three lap ride along followed by the six lap lead / follow. I think we hit around 140. These cars stick to the track. But just like our cars in turns - YOU DO NOT WANT TO LIFT or touch the brake. Just keep your foot on the gas.

Spring for the extra $100 to get the ride along too. Do it first. This will make your solo experience better because the initial awe will have subsided and you'll be prepared to appreciate the experience more.

You will have a great time.

And as a follow up you'll need to get out on a track that has left AND right hand turns. lol

Steve

 

[Mike P.]

Mark, that is a really nice gift! I have a friend that did it and said it was awesome!! Look forward to seeing a video. Mike P.

 

[33ratride]

Agree with Steve do the ride along before you drive, they won't let you drive as fast as they will take you. Also if you drive stay up against the lead car he will drive faster,if you fall back he will slow down to you so push him as hard as you want to go. And above all else have a BLAST.

Rick

 

[Tim M]

I did the 10 lap experience at Gateway a few years back. Be prepared for a much different feeling clutch, one that needs a lot of RPM to engage and get the car moving than the Cobra...don't stall on pit road! Once on track, as mentioned above, trust the car and your lead car that they are not exceeding the cars limits. It took me a few laps to realize that someone wasn't trying to pull me out of the car in the turns. Once I got up on the lead car and we started going faster, I had a great time. A friend of mine exceeded 150mph at TMS as he wasn't afraid to push the lead car. Again, trus the equipment and your leader...have fun!