Just back From Daytona, and RPDE

[rp23g7]

Hey everyone, just got back from our yearly cruise.

We went to Kennedy Space Center one day before, and had 16 laps at Daytona with Richard Petty Driving Experience another day.

I thought I was ready for this, as I had done 20 laps at California Speedway a year before, NOT.

The only way to describe Daytona is, BAD FRIGGEN **SS.

Just driving into it is intimidating, its way bigger than I thought, and the turns are huge.  Uploading my second set of laps and my wifes Ride a long to Youtube.

My wife lucked out and got 9 ride along laps at California, since it was so hot and the camera didn't work on the first two rides, but her Daytona ride along is priceless.

At California they did a Lead-Follow drive, kinda intimidating, since you cant see the wall that good since you cant turn your head, at Daytona they have the instructor in the right seat, Way better.

The track is intimidating, I thought No sweat.  You come out of the pits pretty much at turn 1, around 80-90mph, no big deal, but going down the backstretch you can see the whole turn, and it looks like a wall.

I actually slowed down, but the instructor giving feedback helps a lot.

My first set of laps were slow, low 100s, you can tell the cars and the track were built for speed, at 130 or so the car wanders around especially on the turns, and I was kinda fighting the car, it wants to come out of turn 4 right next to the wall.

The second set, my average was 155, with a top speed of 162mph, cars were only set up to go 165mph.  At that speed the car stays where you put it, and is a rocket around the track, the curves are a blast.  The force pins you down, and your actually looking out the top left corner of the windshield.

That glare into turn 1 really sucks though, trying to line up for it, and not being able to see for a second or 2 at 160mph really sucks.

BUT WHAT A FRIGGEN BLASST

My video

secrace - YouTube

Carlys video

97547 20131026 182108 100 - YouTube

[rp23g7]

I rented a 2013 Dodge Charger for a few days to drive, if you haven't driven one....pros and cons....

It was a 3.6 VVT Auto trans, comfy car, lots of power for a V6. 

I think it had cylinder deactivation, it would go into Economy on the freeway, you couldn't really tell unless you got on and off the throttle quick, then it would feel like the engine was missing a bit.

Cool LED tail lights, neato dash stuff, everything but navigation.  The transmission interface SUCKED. 

Floor console shift, electronic.  Trying to do a quick, Drive, Reverse, Drive, or the opposite sucked since it was electronic, it wouldn't actually shift it you did it quick, or you would go back and forth missing the gear,

[Aero426]

Looks like it was a great experience!

Now imagine 40 mph faster with 40 other cars, on worn tires.   

[rp23g7]

Looks like it was a great experience!

Now imagine 40 mph faster with 40 other cars, on worn tires.   

Yeah I cant imagine what its like at 200mph, 3 cars wide, and trusting someone to tell you its clear

[JB400]

Sounds like a cool experience

[tan top]

 great stuff !! would love to do that one day 

[bull]

Very cool.

[Lord Warlock]

Looking at pictures of the track really don't do the turns justice, those are steep banks on the turns.  I've been on the track several times for the annual car show they hold the weekend after thanksgiving (turkey rod run)  They used to let people drive around it at the end of the show, and let any year into the show until it got too large.  They usually draw 5000+ cars every year and now restrict it to older cars until the last day. 

Anyway, looks like you had a blast, does look fun legally driving 155.

[remta1]

cool looks like awesome fun

[hemi68charger]

That's awesome....... Sounds like you had a great experience !!!