Posted on 02/04/2008 10:43:18 AM PST by stainlessbanner
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A 60-year-old tourist died after he crashed while driving a Richard Petty Driving Experience NASCAR vehicle at the Daytona International Speedway.
Track officials said Robert Boswell was driving around the speedway Sunday night when he somehow lost control of the race car and crashed into a wall.
Boswell was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center, where he was declared dead at about 7 p.m., officials said.
Cars can reach speeds of 120 mph in the simulated stock car racing attraction at the Daytona Beach International Speedway.
An autopsy is being conducted to determine if any health condition contributed to the crash.
Boswell was an avid race fan, officials said.
The Richard Petty driving experience was closed to the public Monday because of the crash.
“I hear there are a couple drag racing experience places with full blown, top fuel dragsters that will do in excess of 300 MPH. I would much rather do that.”
I can just crap in my pants at home and save all that money!
I have no desire to play like a NASCAR driver on the track but I’ve always thought it would be cool to walk around town in the suit and see what sort of women I could pick up pretending to be a NASCAR driver.
double nickels
... and to think he chose that one over the Dale Earnhart Driving Experience because he thought it would be safer.
(Ducking and running)
I’ve always wanted to let my car stretch her legs at Bonneville, just so see what she’s got. It’s easier to get there than to the Autobahn.
I used to drive a 1991 Mercury Capri, but it got an awful lot floaty before it reached 100mph. My ‘99 Sebring is sure-footed at 80 mph, but I don’t want to press it much past that. I’d love to take a V-12 Jaguar out on the salt flats, where there’s nothing to hit and not enough traction to flip.
I’m surprised this has not happened sooner.
Since liberal trial lawyers were allowed to breed.
I have a ticket somewhere from when I was caught doing 100+ on the Montanabahn in my stock 99 Mustang GT. I remember just laughing my arse off when the cop pulled me over ... it was a rush ... but even at that speed, the mountains moved slowly.
The real funny thing is ... I have no idea how fast Mr. Officer was doing to catch me, because I NEVER saw him behind me until he was RIGHT behind me, and where I was caught had about 5 miles visibility every direction.
That state is HUGE. Even at 100mph sustained for an entire tank of gas it seems endless.
I don’t want to even THINK about driving accross the center of Austrailia.
About the fastest I have “”””driven”””” was 140 on the autostrada in Italy when I was stationed there in the 70’s.
I was getting passed by old ladies in mercedes station wagons etc .....:o)
You're right. It is basic physics. The open-wheel cars produce more horsepower and are much lighter, so they have better acceleration. Besides the better power, open-wheel cars have much better aerodynamics, both of which contribute to a much higher top end. They are also have a much lower center of gravity so they can corner much harder than the stock cars and thus retain much more speed in the corners. The open-wheel guys wouldn't want to swap paint with the stock cars, however.
Although not directly comparable, each type of car can produce very exciting racing.
It is humbling though to be going 150 Mph and have a Lambroghini "flash" by you.
Although I've never done the Richard Petty driving experience (and this is something that I hope to do someday), I have participated in riding schools on motorcycle, including Keith Code's California Superbike School and Reg Pridmore's CLASS. In both cases, the release I had to sign was rather frightening. Seriously, it was a very sobering document to read and sign. It wasn't so much "if you die" but "when you are dismembered and dead on the track" sort of wording.
Mark
My condolences to the family...
I’ve been bugging the wife to “buy” me a Christmas present at Petty’s facility. ‘Pose I’ll have to hide this little news gem from her.
120 in a Nascar on a track like that is nothing.
When doing the Richard Petty school, how fast you go depends on which level of driving you buy.
For instance, I did the Experience of a Lifetime at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The goal for that level is to get everyone to a 42 second lap.
They let me do a 41.85, which translates to 149.02 MPH.
A couple of years later, I did one level below Experience of a Lifetime.
I don’t remember my lap time, but I went only 136 and change.
The first time was definitely better. ;o)
As far as he being slumped over the wheel, I bet his head was slumped down.
I don’t think the neck restraint would prevent that.
But, there is no way the rest of his body could move one inch.
Good stuff leadfoot! Buck-fifty is cooking. There’s a CDB song about “high speed heroes” that you would enjoy. Imagine the music from Wooley Swamp and lyrics about racin’.
If it felt like "it was glued to the road" you were nowhere near it's limit....:-)
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