Went 170 MPH today

[turbojimmy]

I went to Pocono Raceway today with my dad and brother for a ride in a NASCAR car around their 2.5 mile loop. The drive program was $530 so I was content with just a ride. After the ride, however, now I want to drive. Those guys are just sick. When I got in and the guy came out of the pits into the first turn I was certain I was going to die. But I didn't, obviously, and after the dizzyness from the g-forces of the first turn wore off it was actually kind of fun. We did 3 laps of the 2.5 mile loop in what seemed to be the blink of an eye.

The place is only an hour from my house but I'd never been there. Opened up a whole new source of automotive-related entertainment for me.

My brother an I ran out to Sam's Club in the GN for some batteries later in the day and on the entrance ramp to Rt. 80 he said "this thing pulls harder than those NASCAR cars!". Maybe, but it doesn't do 170+ MPH.

Just thought I'd share. It was a great experience.

Jim

 

[Quiky One]

How much does it cost for just a ride? Sounds like fun.

Jason

 

[UNGN]

We do open road racing and have a lot of miles in the 160+ mph range and have done open track events at Charlotte and Indy and it amazes me how they drive those cars so close and so fast for so long every week.

What is really amazing in the guys back in 1960's going nearly as fast, with modified street cars.

 

[turbojimmy]

We do open road racing and have a lot of miles in the 160+ mph range and have done open track events at Charlotte and Indy and it amazes me how they drive those cars so close and so fast for so long every week.

What is really amazing in the guys back in 1960's going nearly as fast, with modified street cars.

That's what my dad was saying - the cars have changed quite a bit. They're shells built around tube frames/cages now. There were only a couple of other cars on the track, but it is amazing when you consider the professionals run that fast for so long in a pack of cars.

I'd watched NASCAR on TV once in a while but never had an appreciation for what it's like to be inside one of those cars at speed. The in-car cameras don't quite capture it.

The ride was $109, which sounds steep but I think it was worth it. They give you a helmet (you can bring your own) and fire suit and have to pay for gas, tires, maintenance, insurance, driver, etc.

Drag racing is fun, but it gets me thinking about looking for a car that actually goes around corners.

Jim

 

[JC Turbo]

I did the ride first then the 20 mile drive program in July of 2003. WOW was that a blast! That first corner is an experience. I also got a little dizzy for the G's. We reached speeds in excess of 160 Mph.

My instructor told me that if I find I'm comfortable at a certain speed then stay off his bumper, he then said if you want to continue going faster then stay glued to my rear bumper and I'll take you for the ride of a lifetime. Well you know what I did, I rode his bumper like we were in traffic!

After my track time was over the instructor complimented me on keeping in the line and staying directly behind him. He said that I did great for a first timer and that we went faster that we should have.

Sooo, After my ride and drive I had to buy my wife a ride with an instructor. I think the ride was around $120? Man did she love it! She was really into it.

I'm going to be doing another driving school again this July. This one will be at a local track to me called Beaverun raceway. This is in an open wheeled car on a road course.