Driving Experiences at Walt Disney World Speedway

MAY 2014: Two characters from the Academy Award-nominated 2006 animated feature film “Cars” – Aiken Axler and Sage VanDerSpin — enter the line-up for the Richard Petty Driving Experience beginning Saturday, June 14. The two full-size custom character cars, #28 Aiken Axler and #80 Sage VanDerSpin, will be used in the new Piston Cup Junior Ride-Along program. For just $59, the Junior Ride-Along program gives children ages 6 to 13 (and at least 48 inches tall) the chance to experience real-life racing excitement as they ride shotgun with a professional driving instructor for three thrilling laps in a specially equipped Piston Cup race car. Junior Ride-Alongs do not require reservations and are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Find out more information about program offerings, dates and times by visiting Drivepetty.com or call 800-237-3889.

Piston Cup
Piston Cup


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Indy Racing Experience | Richard Petty Driving Experience | Exotic Driving Experience

The Indy Racing Experience, the ultimate experience for race fans and car enthusiasts, began offering the chance to drive or ride in cars that were used in past Indianapolis 500 events at the Walt Disney World Speedway on November 17, 2008. Since 2001, the Indy Racing Experience has been giving patrons nationwide the ride of a lifetime in its customized 2-seat IndyCar Series car at all the tracks on the IndyCar Series schedule. Race fans have also had the chance over the past two years to get behind the wheel of an IndyCar machine and drive around the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Both the drive and ride options will be available at the Walt Disney World Speedway.

The Indy Racing Experience is open 350 days a year. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, and during a two-week span when the PGA Tour hosts an event just outside the track.

Drivers and riders must be 18 years of age or older.

You can reserve online at: http://www.indyracingexperience.com/ or call 888-357-5002. Ask to speak with Shonda Kennedy at extension 106 or e-mail her at [email protected].

Prices as of January 2009 are $399 for 8 driving laps and $109 for the 3-lap ride-along experience.

Read Gary K.'s Indy Racing Experience in the AllEars® Guest Blog HERE.


The Richard Petty Driving Experience began in 1997 at the Walt Disney World Speedway.

Open every day, weather permitting, except Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Experience may be closed due to inclement weather, testing or private events. Call ahead to ensure that the track is open.

Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Advance Reservations are required for all driving programs.

The official website is: www.drivepetty.com

Visitors are welcome and Pit Entry is free.

There is a shuttle service from the Ticket and Transportation Center, inquire when you make your reservations.

The high speed driving experience now offers 4 types of programs (prices as of 4/10):

  • Ride-along Program – Experience real life racing thrills by riding shotgun in a 2-seat stock car driven by one of our professional instructors for a simulated 3-lap NASCAR qualifying run at speeds exceeding 150 MPH. You must be at least 16 years old to ride.
  • Rookie Experience – Your hands are on the wheel, your foot is on the gas, and you're in the driver's seat for 8 laps around the speedway in a 358 cubic inch V-8 NASCAR style racecar that roars with 600 horsepower. Prior to driving, students will go through 2 elements of safety and instruction training, in-car and on-track instruction. After driving like the "King", students will receive a graduation packet that includes a time sheet with a breakdown of each lap driven. Program runs approximately three hours, but can last up to a half a day. You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license to drive. Reservations are needed.
  • The King Experience: Get ready to advance to a higher level of confidence in your driving ability and take on increased speeds. This program consists of 2 power packed sessions, 8 laps of rip roaring power and 10 laps of increased speed and excitement. Prior to driving, students will go through 2 elements of safety and instruction training, in-car and on-track instruction. Between your driving sessions, drivers will receive one-on-one feedback from the Pit Road Instructor, as well as additional instruction from the on-track driving instructors. After your two driving sessions, students will receive a graduation packet that includes a time sheet with a breakdown of each lap driven. Reservations are needed. Cost:
  • Experience of a Lifetime – Think you can handle 30 laps of white-knuckled, heart pounding speed? Taming the speedway in 3 driving segments allows you to improve your driving line, increase your speed and encourages the idea that you may change careers in this, the ultimate half-day driving experience. Prior to driving, students will go through 2 elements of safety and instruction training, in-car and on-track instruction. Between your 3 driving sessions, drivers will receive one-on-one feedback from the Pit Road Instructor, as well as additional instruction from the on-track driving instructors. After your 3 driving sessions of 10 laps each, students will receive a graduation packet that includes a time sheet with a breakdown of each lap driven. Reservations are needed.

Cost:

The Ride-Along Program

$ 109.00

The Rookie Experience

$ 449.00

The King Experience

$ 849.00

The Experience of a Lifetime

$ 1299.00

Directions: Follow the signs to the Magic Kingdom, keep left approaching the toll plaza. After passing through the toll plaza, turn left at the WDW Speedway sign. Mention that you are going to the Speedway at the Toll Plaza and so you won't have to pay the parking fee.

For reservations and information please call 1-800-BE-PETTY

The "Exotic Driving Experience" began January 16, 2012. The program allows anyone with a driver's license to get behind the wheel of a "supercar" — a rarified class of automobile. The Exotic Driving Experience features supercars by Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, and Porsche; future plans include the addition of other exotic models. The program is offered through the Richard Petty Driving Experience, and operates approximately 150 days annually on The Exotics Course at Walt Disney World Speedway, a new track configuration at the motorsports complex. Driving Experiences start at $189 for six laps around the circuit. Thrill Rides with a professional driver at the wheel are available for $99. Reservations can be made at exoticdriving.com or by calling 855-822-0149.