60-Year-Old Man Dies In Richard Petty Driving Experience Crash

local6 ^ | February 4, 2008

[Wil H]

She said I could drive it on The Atlanta Motor Speed Way if I could get permission.

Check you local amateur racing organizations. They rent tracks for driving events that you can bring your car to. Call The Speedway and ask who rents the track for events there, then you can call your wife's bluff.

[PhilipFreneau]

>>>A 60-year-old tourist died after he crashed while driving a Richard Petty Driving Experience NASCAR vehicle at the Daytona International Speedway.<<<

I wish I was so lucky.

[Smokin' Joe]

Years ago, when GM had just started putting a rubber peg to stop the needle at 85, I was driving through SW North Dakota, and was surprised by a set of 's' curves, that, and that it took what seemed like a long time to get the speedo needle back (I had not noticed the rubber peg).

I got some funny looks I did not understand talking about the 'S' curves down by Amidon, until years later when I drove through there only to find those two gentle 90 degree curves nearly a half-mile apart.

I haven't trusted a pegged needle since then, and I have no idea how fast I was going.

[MHT]

How can they call it “simulated” if the risks are as great as the real thing?

[Fiddlstix]

Cars can reach speeds of 120 mph in the simulated stock car racing attraction at the Daytona Beach International Speedway.

It's a terrible tragedy, to be sure.
Prayers for the family

But, it seems to me that 120mpg ain't all that fast in a modern car what with all the safety equipment these days such a roll bars, seat harness, etc, etc.

[PA Engineer]

participant had kind of slumped

This doesn't sound right. The head is restrained back to the seat. Unless he detached his helmet from the restraints (which is a pain in a stopped car) I do not believe this piece of the story.

[MarkL]

With all due respect to the dead man, its asinine to allow novices onto a racetrack. Just as it would be to climb aboard a space shuttle or dive into a shark cage.

Certain activities require a level of expertise, and paying simple admission isn’t a qualifier.

I respectfully disagree with you. In the case of motorcycles, for many people, track days or riding classes are invaluable learning experiences, and if you either want to improve your riding skills or learn to ride at high speeds (relatively) safely, this is the best and only way to do it.

Remember that there is class time, and you go on the track with instructors as well. These auto racing experiences are supposed to be a good way to learn high speed driving in a controlled environment, as well as getting the high speed driving "out of your systems" to make you realize you DON'T want to do that nonsense on the streets.

Mark