Richard Petty Ride Along: Review

First time experience for a NON-NASCAR fan.

What was I doing here? Well it was free for Annual Passholders of Disney and had to be used by March 31, 2010. I had just gotten a pass because they had a special for 15 months. This experience on paper was worth a lot of money and I was going to use it. I was determined to get full benefit of any extras.

I wasn’t sure about this but knew I would never go on my own and this was an opportunity of a lifetime. At least that was the way I presented it to myself while at the same time telling myself, ” You’re crazy”. I waited to the very last day and went fully expecting a very long line.

No line.

Quickly you sign a form show your pass and you are pointed to the uniforms to put on. Two pieces or one piece depending on your size. I found myself questioning myself more but moving forward.

Most of life is about just showing up. I showed up. One foot in front of the other.

Realizing they do this every day with hundreds of people and I had not read anything in the news of deaths or accidents – how bad could it be. As I went outside I could see the cars, the helmets and a few other brave souls.

No chickens.

I kept moving while the fear built. Or was it excitement. It was something and made me all tingley.

They gave you a key to put in your name which would be part of your picture later if you wanted to buy the extras. They had video for inside the car if you wanted to buy that. I just wanted to make it through and not chicken.

Now the helmet and a neck brace and off you went to the car. The next challenge was getting your legs up and inside the car and then getting  the rest of your body to follow. Now I am not a small person so this was very challenging. Inside I went with assistance.

Then they put seat belts, lots of them, on you. Snug. Very Snug. Found out from skinny person it feels the same to them. They make sure you are not shaking around inside that car. The driver says hello. They have you look out the window so they can take a picture.

Richard Petty Ride Along Animation from still pictures.

It was exhilarating while frightening and breath stopping.

We were going pretty fast. Up close to the wall and down near the field. All I kept thinking is – How the heck do those race car drivers do this and be so close to the car in front of them. My foot was on the imaginary brake the whole time. It was incredible. It would be much better another time with less fear.

It was hot. The car was hot. Being so snug you could not move.

Three times around went very quick and yet very slow as I held my breath.

My finger impressions are still on the inside of that car.

It was easier to enjoy in the aftermath after my fear and shaking had subsided. I was glad I went and tried it. I don’t ride roller coasters. This was an incredible experience that I would have never done without the prompting of a free ride. I will always remember the noise, the heat, the fear, the excitement, the joy, the shaking, and the feeling of pushing through one fear and coming out on the other side.

An accomplishment.

Try it. Especially if you are a race fan. See what it is like to be inside a car traveling at excessive speeds around a track. Imagine someone right in front of you. Feel that wall so close to your side of the car.

Enjoy!

Richard Petty Ride along experiences are throughout the country by checking their website you can do this too. Sign up for emails so you get notice of discounts or check local travel organizations to see what discounts they have. No appointment necessary, just show up.

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Eileen Lud­wig of Free­lance Tourist brings to the world insights about places to travel, dis­counts, Stay­ca­tions, Restau­rant Reviews, movie reviews, and fas­ci­nat­ing tibits. She is owner of three other sites: Pho­tog­ra­phy, Web Design School, and Social Media School Each are in dif­fer­ent stages of devel­op­ment and evolution.

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