Indy Racing Experience Orlando Speedway
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The Indy Racing Experience puts you in a real IndyCar Series Car. These cars have been retrofitted for two passengers. Depending on which experience you choose, you can either sit behind a professional driver or take part in the driving program that puts you behind the wheel of an actual IndyCar. We chose to do our experience at the Walt Disney World Orlando Speedway, one of the two locations where you can actually drive the vehicle.
The Indy Racing Experience has 2 different programs available in Orlando:
Ride-Along:
You ride as a passenger. The car, with authentic racing powerplant, can reach speeds up to 130mph as you make 3 laps around the course.
$109 - Plus Tax
Drive Experience:
You follow a lead car making 1 warm up lap, 6 laps at speed and 1 cool down lap. You determine the speed you're comfortable with as you race the course.
$399 - Plus Tax
Book either online or by calling 1-888-357-5002
The Indy Racing Experience will take place daily at 4:00pm until sundown. Participants need to arrive by 3:00pm for classroom instruction and to fill out the required paperwork. When you arrive and have signed the waivers, you'll be fitted in a full fire suit, helmet, gloves and fire shoes. (Dress comfortably and please bring socks.)
From here you'll go through an orientation if your doing a drive program. You'll learn how the car works and every effort will be made to ensure that you're comfortable both in and out of the car. There will be a special sitting area where guests can watch you drive and take photos/video of your experience which I definately reccommend doing since they don't offer the photo and video options such at Richard Petty Driving Experience.
When using Disney transportation, take the Richard Petty Driving Experience Shuttle from the Ticket and Transportation Center which picks up next to the Magic Kingdom Kennel. Please note that all programs are subject to close if the weather is inclement. Call ahead to verify that the track is open.
Real cars real history - Check out some past stats put up by the car you'll be driving!
Racing Experience Review
Here is your chance to get up close and personal with an Indy Car. The Indy Racing Experience offers a couple options at the track. One is a ride-along and the other is to actually drive an Indy Car. I had the opportunity to experience both the ride and drive programs and am glad I did, as they are very different from each other.
A ride-along is a great way for anyone to get the ultimate thrill ride (in my opinion) and feel the true power of a race car as you circle the track at 120mph with a professional driver behind the wheel. You won’t find that at any theme park. The ride-along is absolutely amazing and is very reasonably priced for the experience. You’ll reach speeds of around 120-130mph while a professional driver rockets you around the mile speedway. This experience gets you up to speed quick and gives you a taste of what these cars can actually do. Very exciting experience, well worth the money and I’d have to recommend it for any thrill seeker.
Photo By: Corey Martin (William Perry driving an IndyCar)The Orlando Speedway is one of two places where you can actually get behind the wheel and drive one of these $250,000 machines that have graced the famous bricks of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. If you’ve chosen to do the drive experience, you’ll first be given a safety class going over the on-track instructions and details of the car, pedals, switches, etc. No need for shifting in this experience, however you are required to use the clutch when leaving and returning to pit road. You’ll be following a lead car around the track; the goal is to keep pace about six car lengths back. The lead car will gain speed, as you get faster and more comfortable. You will instantly feel the power of this car, you only sit about three inches off the ground when you’re in the vehicle. This makes the gravity force that much stronger and it takes a little getting used to. You're also sitting in the middle of the car, sunk down in a jet-fighter-like cockpit. The feeling is absolutely unmatched to anything I’ve ever been in or driven. The responsiveness of the vehicle is completely amazing and handles like you think it would. Trust in the vehicle, these cars are meant to do one thing, go fast! If I had the chance to do the programs again for the first time, I’d do the ride-along first and then the drive experience. This way I would have really known and felt what these cars were capable of doing. All programs require you to wear a full NOMAX racing suite, helmet, shoes, and gloves. You must be at least 18 years old, 250lbs or less, and under 6’5”. I will recommend wearing shorts, and don’t forget to bring socks. The Walt Disney World Speedway offers the ultimate Orlando thrill ride in my opinion. For anyone that seeks thrill, or just has a passion for cars or going fast, this is a must-do and well worth the money. Having experienced both the Richard Petty Driving Experience (NASCAR) and now the Indy Racing experience it's nice to be able to compare the two. Here is how all my experiences stack up: Indy drive-along, Indy ride-along, and then the Richard Petty drive. I think it's safe to say it's hard not to have a good time at the Walt Disney World Speedway. Every time I’ve been there I’ve absolutely had an experience I’ll never forget and memories to remind me forever. If you’re still on the fence, book a ride-along and thank me later! Have questions? Feel free to ask below! Also, be sure to let me know about your experience at this ride! I'd love to hear from you.
William Perry
Founder
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