A ride along experience has been on my adventure list for a while. I love adventures but I like controlled risk. That means that I like adventures that I’m pretty sure that I won’t get hurt as long as I trust the equipment or the expert. That’s why I don’t really have a desire to drive a race car…not to say I wouldn’t if given the opportunity. I just knew that I would go faster with a race car driver than I would if I were the one behind the wheel.
My ride along experience was at the Kentucky Speedway located in Sparta,KY. It’s a reasonable drive from Cincinnati, Lexington and Louisville.
Upon arrival to the speedway, we were transported on a bus to the track.
Next, we got in line to get suited up.
Once I was suited up I noticed how warm it was with all of the gear on. I was told that drivers can lose 10-20 lbs. during a race. Unfortunately, I didn’t experience that on my ride-along.
I observed a few other people before it was my turn.
Due to my family members’ prior commitments that day, I had ask a random stranger in line to take pictures with my phone during my ride.
An employee helped prep my seatbelt before my Dukes of Hazard entry into the race car.
It’s definitely a tight squeeze to enter the car.
Every safety precaution was made for my ride-along.
My driver and I made small talk while the race car got new tires. That gave me the additional experience of observing how fast the pit crew can change tires.
During the ride-along you go 3 laps at speeds up to 165mph! The driver also takes you close to the wall to get the full experience. I couldn’t stop smiling during the ride. I was really trying to take in the whole experience. I’m really grateful that the driving was up to the professional. I can’t even image how crazy it would feel with lots of race cars on the track weaving around each other at even higher speeds!
There are pictures of your experience available afterwards if you want a keepsake.
The experience really gives you an appreciation for the skill and focus that race car drivers have. I thought this was a great adventure to try.
I’m not a huge race fan but that didn’t take away from how cool this experience really was. I think that anyone would love this adventure.
If you are a race fan, you definitely have to add this adventure to your list! This experience would also be a great gift idea.
You can find out more about the Richard Petty Driving and Ride-Along Experience from their website.
You can also experience the Ride-Along Experience at Kentucky Speedway August 22-24,2014. Check their website for more details.
Disclosure: I was given a complimentary ride-along experience for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
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