Mario Andretti Racing Experience

[chargd72]

Over the weekend, me and 5 other dudes drove up to Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.  They tell you that you will be driving a Formula 1 "style" car that is capable of speeds over 150 mph.  When we got there the cars were much closer to Formula 3 open wheel cars and we knew they wouldn't be letting random people come and hit 150+ in these cars.  When I was about to go I turned on the GPS on my phone to record the stats.  After about 2 laps they turn you loose and let you open up the car.  The cars stuck to the track very well but I could tell I wasn't doing anything near 150.  All the cars have rev limiters that keep you under 5000 rpm.  I was riding just under the limiter the entire time thinking I was probably around 110-120.  When I pulled in to pit lane I checked my GPS and top speed said 87mph.  I thought is for sure was wrong.  When my buddy pulled in and his said 88mph I knew they were accurate.  When I go to turn my driving suit in they hand me a certificate saying I went 159 mph.  What a joke.  It definitely feels like you're going fast being so low to the ground in an open pit car but I don't know how more people don't complain about this.  All in all, it was cool to drive the car on a real track but it is something I will never do again.  Just thought I would share in case someone else was considering doing one of these since it's not cheap.

[Ghoste]

Thanks for the accurate report.  There are a few of those driving experience things out there so now I wonder if they all operate the same?  It still has to be fun though.

[chargd72]

Thanks for the accurate report.  There are a few of those driving experience things out there so now I wonder if they all operate the same?  It still has to be fun though.

It was still a lot of fun.  Having a good group of friends made it better though.  However, I could see F1 fanatics being extremely disappointed.

[Silver R/T]

Sounds like fun, but I'd rather drive my car at 100+mph on open highway somewhere than pay whatever it costs to drive around 85mph in circle.

[johnnycharger]

I have had Andretti "experience" by way of drinking at his winery. I will be doing Gotham Dream Cars version of this in a month. I am planning on taking a Lambo out for the three laps. has anybody else done this?

[Troy]

I as at the Mid Ohio Indy car race many years ago and Mario almost ran over me on his pit bike. He had a big ol' grin and it was pretty funny. Didn't cost me anything either.

I don't know how excited I'd be about getting to drive that slow on an oval. I think most of the NASCAR type "experiences" have you moving much faster (the one at Kentucky Speedway does for sure). Mid Ohio has a driving school in all sorts of cars - including Formula Fords - and I'd be surprised if they didn't come close to those speeds in their Honda Civics with the beginners. I've gone faster than that in a go-cart...

Troy

[1970Moparmann]

Interesting.  I'm going to a Rusty Wallace one this Sunday.  I'll have to turn my phone GPS on and see what the speed is.  They claim 140 is the top end..... We will see.

[Ghoste]

By all means yes, and then be sure to let us know.

[chargd72]

Interesting.  I'm going to a Rusty Wallace one this Sunday.  I'll have to turn my phone GPS on and see what the speed is.  They claim 140 is the top end..... We will see.

Yes!  Please do because I'm thinking that they are all going to be around the same speed.  If you have an Android or iPhone there are multiple free apps under "speedometer".  Just make sure it logs top speed.  I'm interest for the outcome.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Did the ride along Richard Petty Experience in Orlando,FL (Disney)...claimed 120+mph

The way that car stuck to the track it felt every bit of it! 

[1970Moparmann]

Well, did the Rusty Wallace drive today - AWESOME!

Right out of the gate, I asked what speeds can we go, the instructor answered "as fast as you can handle".

The 45 minute class was to put a fear of god into everyone.  It got to the point even I was like "oh crap". 

First did a ride along with a driver - he hauled ass - estimating at 140.   This was 4 laps.

Then, jumped into #5, and started driving.  The track driving program was called a "Happy Hour" - simply meaning it was green all the time.  People getting on and off, plus the professional drivers were on the track.

12 total cars were on the track at once.  8 singles and 4 professionals for the ride-a-long.   It was an amazing experience!  My buddy and I already want to do it again.    We did a total of 12 laps, and it takes a solid 4 to get used to the car. 

I downloaded the GPS app that showed max speed, but the damn thing didn't work.  Based on the real time video I bought, my best lap showed a speed of about 118.   Honestly, I thought I was doing about 20 more. 

If you have the need for speed, this is up your alley.   If you are wishy about it, most likely you won't like it.   One buddy didn't feel comfortable and he was only driving about 60-70.  I passed him at least 2 times.

Pictures and a video-

Good 'ol # 5-


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201492494422263

[Mike DC]

Over the weekend, me and 5 other dudes drove up to Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.  They tell you that you will be driving a Formula 1 "style" car that is capable of speeds over 150 mph.  When we got there the cars were much closer to Formula 3 open wheel cars and we knew they wouldn't be letting random people come and hit 150+ in these cars.  When I was about to go I turned on the GPS on my phone to record the stats.  After about 2 laps they turn you loose and let you open up the car.  The cars stuck to the track very well but I could tell I wasn't doing anything near 150.  All the cars have rev limiters that keep you under 5000 rpm.  I was riding just under the limiter the entire time thinking I was probably around 110-120.  When I pulled in to pit lane I checked my GPS and top speed said 87mph.  I thought is for sure was wrong.  When my buddy pulled in and his said 88mph I knew they were accurate.  When I go to turn my driving suit in they hand me a certificate saying I went 159 mph.  What a joke.  It definitely feels like you're going fast being so low to the ground in an open pit car but I don't know how more people don't complain about this.  All in all, it was cool to drive the car on a real track but it is something I will never do again.  Just thought I would share in case someone else was considering doing one of these since it's not cheap.

 
150mph turns out to be 87?

Man, at that point I would want my money back.  You gotta draw the line somewhere.  

I know those Driving Experiences usually fudge the numbers by 20-30mph, but advertising 150 and delivering 87 is just ridiculous.  You can get a minivan up faster than that on public roads.    

[Dino]

What you can't hit 150 in that Charger of yours?  Pfffft   

J/K      

That would've been fun if you were able to get it over higway speed...  Then again they may limit all of them to 87 so you can't accidentally go back in time, your buddy is lucky to still be here!   

[Indygenerallee]

Man That is sweeet, I would have been busting to get to that "Days of Thunder" Cole Trickle Chevy City car!!! 

[young99]

I did the Dale Jarrett Racing Experience at the Talladega Superspeedway and absolutely loved it. It was 2 years ago and would love to do it again. You do have a passenger with you but you have full control of the car. Wearing the HANS device without a head set would be hard without a passenger. They use hand signals for passing and lane changing.


Hitting the Talladega banks with the throttle mashed to the floor is amazing. You feel G's forcing your stomach into the seat. The track slips they gave me said 180mph as my top speed and cant remember my best lap time. It really felt like i was going that fast but maybe i was not. However, it was a ton of fun.