Richard Petty Driving Experience
WOW! One of our customers treated the whole office to the Richard Petty Driving Experience, which is basically "here are the keys to the NASCar, bring it back when you're done"! Well ok, it's not quite that relaxed; but after signing a few forms, and a few more forms, and a few more forms, we're treated to a short video and then we're off! It was a little scary .. ok, it was very scary .. standing there listening to the guy explain how to pull the fire extinguisher and get out of the car quickly etc.Basically the way it works is that you follow a pace car, keeping 3-5 car lengths behind. If you get too close, he'll wave you back; and if you're too far then the flag-man will give you a certain flag signal. You're supposed to creep up on the pace car until you get waved back and they don't mind waving you back a few times, but too many and you get booted. I was waved back about 3 or 4 times, and was never told I was too far back. I surprised myself with how confident I felt.
If you keep up with the pace car and follow his line, then they will take you up to (but not beyond) 140MPH. My top speed was 139, so I think I did well! I actually felt really comfortable and I wanted to go faster. The car was amazing to drive, and it all felt very natural. Interestingly enough, many other people were talking about strong Gs in the turns and how they had to fight against them. However when I drove I just relaxed and let the seat support me through the turns, which meant I wasn't fighting anything (in fact that added to how much fun I was having). I wonder if this is because I'm used to lateral Gs from all the coaster riding..?
My lap speed more-or-less improved each lap, which is exactly how it's supposed to work:
| Lap Number | Lap Time | Average MPH | Top MPH |
| 1 | Warm Up | ||
| 2 | 48.16 | 112.12 | 132 |
| 3 | 48.24 | 111.95 | 132 |
| 4 | 46.70 | 115.62 | 136 |
| 5 | 46.19 | 116.90 | 137 |
| 6 | 45.81 | 117.89 | 138 |
| 7 | 45.26 | 119.32 | 139 |
| 8 | Cool Down |
After the drive we all got a report card, some photos, and a congratulations speech. Then we went to eat steak .. it totally ruled :)
