Cameron Posted June 8, 2007 Posted June 8, 2007 WOW! One of our customers treated the whole company 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, although the difference between my slowest and fastest laps was only 7mph. This was taken by the people running the event (everyone got one). It's a little too cliche for my taste, but still somewhat cool. We had all parked right in the middle of the track area (through the tunnel), next to the garages. It was really quite fun. Time to get undressed again - it's tough to see, but I was *soaked*. After the drive we went out for dinner, and I demolished two pints of Guinness in about 5 minutes! This is Josh (our accountant) and I. We were both so nervous before the drive, but both did really well. Pay no attention to my "helmet hair"! Forget Danica Patrick, I'm the race-car driver who everyone wants! (The guy in the background (in the black DRIFT shirt) is the artist on the game I'm working on now). Such a relief to get the helmet off .. it reminded me of when I was a kid I'd take my ski boots off after a day on the slopes, and steam would come out! I had been so nervous before the race, but after about half a lap everything just fell into place. I was actually disappointed that I couldn't stay out there longer! Climbing out .. I was hot, sweaty, and had enough adrenalin in me to light a small city - it was awesome! And I'm done! I'm in the white car in the distance, returning to the pits. The red car in the foreground is the one used for the ride-along trips. I was right on the pace car the whole time, and apparently I didn't once get the "catch-up" flag. I was waved back 2 or 3 times (which is ok). Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast! And I'm off! Thankfully I didn't stall it out in front of everyone! The clutch was really heavy, compared with the super-light one in my car (my only fault with my car). Just call me Cameron "The Stig" Silver! Of course I doubt The Stig ever looks that pale and nervous. I'm not exaggerating when I say my ass was clenched so tight, it was the size of a single atom... The window net is added to stop stuff from hurting me (there is no glass in the windows). The instructor straps me in to the white car. I'm wearing a full 5-point harness, and it takes a bit of work to put it all together. It's nothing like sliding into a coaster seat! Note the steering wheel on the roof, you need to take the steering wheel ou It's tough to get in there since I can't move my head at all. And as much as I asked, they wouldn't let me run up and slide across the hood.. Time to climb in .. These are real race-cars, hence they don't have doors. The guy on his knees behind the car is checking the tyres. Josh (our accountant!) is lead away from his car, while I'm on the left being fitted with a HANS device. A HANS device fits over your shoulders, and attaches to the back of your helmet. It stops your head from leaning too far forward, or too far back. The I'm up next, in car 45 .. a 6 foot tall tower of quivering jello! Actually the guy told me it's good to be nervous, as nervous people tend to drive better than those who are "all testicles and chest hair". I'm not quite sure whether or not that's a compli All ready to go .. If there's a "dorkiest driver award", I'm fairly confident that I'd win it. Suiting up .. It was 95 degrees out there, and I was already sweating buckets. Not to mention the fact that I was quite terrified.. I'm last on the list (out of 31), and super nervous. No photos please! Kevin (one of our electrical engineers) wasn't doing the actual drive (since he doesn't know how to drive stick), so he opted to do a ride-along. On the ride-along you ride shotgun while an actual racer takes you for several laps at 200+ MPH. Apparently i After the initial welcome, suit fittings, and instructional videos, we all head out into the pit area. Don't we look like a pack of complete dorks?! The event took place at the Chicagoland Motor Speedway, in "beautiful" Joliet Illinois - home of a very large federal prison. These signs were quite a laugh..
mcjaco Posted June 8, 2007 Posted June 8, 2007 This is awesome Cam! I wish I remembered how to drive manual, I'd do this in a heartbeat. Glad you had fun.....and I'll try to forget the image of you and helmet hair.
SharkTums Posted June 8, 2007 Posted June 8, 2007 I've always wanted to do this! We even talked about doing it at Disney over our wedding but I can't drive stick. I know, I suck... That's awesome Cameron, glad you came home in one piece.
Masked_Maverick Posted June 8, 2007 Posted June 8, 2007 ^ No you don't last time I tried to drive stick I almost ran over a couple of kids and a small dog. Awesome Photo TR btw. Masked"I perfer Automatic."Maverick
Louise Posted June 8, 2007 Posted June 8, 2007 A Top Gear reference and a Red Dwarf reference.... DEFINITELY a Lou-approved TR!!! Looks like so much fun Cameron, you really did look nervous though!! Glad you enjoyed it. And didn't die.
cfc Posted June 8, 2007 Posted June 8, 2007 Like Elissa, I can't drive a stick shift, either. Back on good ol' Campbell Ranch, under my foot is where clutches went to die. Well done, Cameron.
Meteornotes Posted June 8, 2007 Posted June 8, 2007 Yeah, I would love to do this too, but my lack of manual driving skills will keep me from ever attempting it. Cool photos. Looks like you guys had an awesome time. dt
Carnage Posted June 8, 2007 Posted June 8, 2007 Looks like fun Cameron. I guess they wouldn't have been impressed if you just hit the gas and tried to outrun the pace car?
CoasterEricHP Posted June 9, 2007 Posted June 9, 2007 Nice that looks awesome. I was working at Seuss Trolley at IOA last year and I was talking to this guy and his son and wife who were waiting to get on the ride. I was joking with them acting like they were scared of the ride and the 0-8 mph "launch" and they played right along with me. The guy even said something about only doing left hand turns. After they got on I was told I was talking to Richard Petty. I felt like an ass.
BeemerBoy Posted June 9, 2007 Posted June 9, 2007 ^ LOL. Awesome report Cam! I've been meaning to get back to a track and drive it this time. I stopped in Daytona Intl. Speedway while visiting a relative once, and they just so happened to be doing it that day. I didn't have the time to drive, so I opted for the ride along for the heck of it, vowing to be back to drive next time. We topped out at 175mph! It was insane. I'm actually a big NASCAR fan, and I've seen races at Daytona before, so it was a huge thrill. Thanks for the report. It gave me the urge to suit up asap. Yeeehaw! Git-r-dun!
moinab Posted June 10, 2007 Posted June 10, 2007 I can drive a stick, but I get claustrophobic just looking at those pictures of you all strapped into the car. I would have a massive panic attack before I ever got to that point!
arrowfanman Posted June 10, 2007 Posted June 10, 2007 Awesome PTR Cameron! I actually think that first "helmet hair" picture looks similar to some expensive-ass Hollywood hair style! -Jahan
Cameron Posted June 11, 2007 Author Posted June 11, 2007 Thanks for all the comments - it really was a fun day. As for driving stick, there really wasn't much shifting involved .. in fact one guy was able to drive and it had been 6 years since he'd driven stick (and at that time he just spent about an hour driving his friend's car around a parking lot). We were in third gear by the time we left the pit lane, then fourth on the back straight, and we left it in fourth (the highest gear) the whole time. It was easy.. Besides, driving stick makes you a better driver in general - so it's even more incentive to learn. Cameron.
dubaidave Posted June 13, 2007 Posted June 13, 2007 Sorry to be English but, what is the deal with people saying they cant drive stick? Is that not a bit rude?
nemesis-storm Posted June 13, 2007 Posted June 13, 2007 Very cool, I'd love to do that ... Did you have much trouble getting in/out the car ? With yourself being tall or are cars designed for any height? Sorry to be English but, what is the deal with people saying they cant drive stick? Is that not a bit rude? Manual gear change rather than automatic. Paul ' I have to say the word 'gear stick' Chapman
TheStig Posted June 13, 2007 Posted June 13, 2007 Wow, I totaly forgot you were doing this, Cameron! I have to try it (when Im old enough I guess) in Daytona or at WDW or something. Too bad they dont have an F1 driving experience anywhere.... Oh, and driving a stick is simple once you get in first gear!
BeemerBoy Posted June 13, 2007 Posted June 13, 2007 ^ Don't quote me on it, but I think you have to have driven at at least one other track before you're condsidered "qualified" to drive Daytona. It may have changed, but I think that's what I remember hearing when I did the ridealong there. If that's the case, at least you've got WDW and Homestead within a reasonable distance.
mcjaco Posted June 13, 2007 Posted June 13, 2007 Lame! What's a TR about nascar without any crasing? Cameron has been known to be quite crass at times.
Golfie Posted June 14, 2007 Posted June 14, 2007 It only took me 5 minutes in a stationary car at the Auto Show to realize that focusing on a stick shift would cause me to crash in a very lame way.
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