Anybody ever taken the course and driven one of their cars around a track?
I had the opportunity in 2002 when I was in Orlando for something else. Had to go through an interview and training before they would let you drive by yourself on the track. Even then they put you behind a rabbit car with a professional driver to follow. Steve Bok was my instructor and a real good guy.
Orlando is a short track but I gotta tell you diving into the corners at 120-130 mph and then coming out of the corner and sliding up the track next to the wall will get your attention!
It's actually harder to drive the car slow as it naturally wants to turn left. I was used to drag racing at NHRA tracks in the sportsman bracket with my 66 Dodge Charger and the training I received circle track style came in handy in my subsequent straight line style. My Charger was a 13 second car in the quarter.
My god, it was the thrill of a lifetime to drive a circle track in a Bush car. My fastest average lap 124.28 mph and lap time 42.72 seconds. I only had 8 laps and used 3 to get use to the car. My forth lap I was 12 inches behind the rabbit at 130 mph in the straights, never touched the brake pedal just got use to easing up on the accelerator pedal for the curves.
After my drive I sat and talked with the professional drivers. What a great bunch of guys! While we were talking, a guy celebrating his birthday went on a passenger ride along with a professional driver. After three laps they came in to the pits and it took nearly all of us to get the guy out of the car he was so scarred.
I guess my racing days gave me an appreciation for driving fast responsibly and yet cautiously, even now when pulling our Solitude.
I had the opportunity in 2002 when I was in Orlando for something else. Had to go through an interview and training before they would let you drive by yourself on the track. Even then they put you behind a rabbit car with a professional driver to follow. Steve Bok was my instructor and a real good guy.
Orlando is a short track but I gotta tell you diving into the corners at 120-130 mph and then coming out of the corner and sliding up the track next to the wall will get your attention!
It's actually harder to drive the car slow as it naturally wants to turn left. I was used to drag racing at NHRA tracks in the sportsman bracket with my 66 Dodge Charger and the training I received circle track style came in handy in my subsequent straight line style. My Charger was a 13 second car in the quarter.
My god, it was the thrill of a lifetime to drive a circle track in a Bush car. My fastest average lap 124.28 mph and lap time 42.72 seconds. I only had 8 laps and used 3 to get use to the car. My forth lap I was 12 inches behind the rabbit at 130 mph in the straights, never touched the brake pedal just got use to easing up on the accelerator pedal for the curves.
After my drive I sat and talked with the professional drivers. What a great bunch of guys! While we were talking, a guy celebrating his birthday went on a passenger ride along with a professional driver. After three laps they came in to the pits and it took nearly all of us to get the guy out of the car he was so scarred.
I guess my racing days gave me an appreciation for driving fast responsibly and yet cautiously, even now when pulling our Solitude.
