If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be a NASCAR driver you don't have to risk the speeding tickets to find out. You can drive on a race track instead. In Orlando there are plenty of opportunities to drive or ride in a race car. Whether you are looking to get behind the wheel or go along for a ride with a professional, you can enjoy a race-car experience in Orlando.
The Richard Petty Driving Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway takes guests around a track at 120 mph. You can get behind the wheel of a real race car and feel what it's like to be a NASCAR driver. Drivers can opt to drive anywhere from eight to 30 laps around the track.
If you would like to get the race-car experience without having to get behind the wheel, you can ride around the track three times with an experienced instructor. Children under the age of 18 must have a guardian present to ride. The Ride Along Experience costs $99 per person based on 2010 rates.
Richard Petty Driving Experience
Walt Disney World Speedway
3450 North World Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
407-939-0130
drivepetty.com
Located at Epcot theme park in Walt Disney World, Test Track is a vehicle-simulation attraction that reaches high speeds. The ride is family friendly and is one of the longest and fastest rides Walt Disney World has to offer. Each car seats six people, so the whole family can ride together. The ride simulates how General Motors tests prototypes. The ride lasts for five minutes, and the track is 1 mile long. Riders experience hair-pin turns, banked curves and bumpy roads at 60 mph. At the end of the attraction, guests barely escape a simulated collision.
The ride is popular and attracts many guests throughout the day, so you might want to get there early. You can get a Fastpass to the ride--a system that allows guests to use their theme park ticket to reserve their spot for a popular ride to avoid waiting in long lines--and return at a later time.
Epcot offers many other attractions as well, including a chance to learn more about the automotive industry at the Test Track Pavilion. Test Track is free to guests with general admission tickets to Epcot. A one-day park hopper ticket costs $82 for adults and $74 for children, as of 2010, but you can save by buying multiday tickets.
Walt Disney World's Epcot
1510 North Avenue of the Stars
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
407-824-4321
disney.go.com
For drag racing in Orlando, visit Orlando Speed World. General admission costs $10, and children under 12 are free, as of 2010. Drag racing takes place Wednesday and Friday evenings. Orlando Speed World is an NHRA Sanctioned Drag Strip. It also is the home of the largest street race in the world, the Orlando Street Nationals. There are additional special events that take place at the track throughout the year, including Night of Fire, an event showcasing jet dragsters, supercharged wheel standers and jet funny cars.
Orlando Speed World
19164 East Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32820-3701
407-568-1367
speedworlddragway.com
