New Exotic Driving Experience at Disney Speedway

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From the Disney Parks blog...

A Ride of a Lifetime Walt Disney World Resort’s Disney Speedway

posted on January 13th, 2012 by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World

The folks over at the Richard Petty Driving Experience invited me to an event yesterday at the Walt Disney World Resort Speedway and the funniest thing happened: I fell in love. When I first saw her she was just sitting there, dressed all in yellow. She looked Italian and exotic and, without a doubt, it was love at first sight.

“She” is a sleek, bright yellow 562-horsepower Lamborghini Gallardo – just one of the handful of “supercars” that guests can drive as part of the new Exotic Driving Experience that is being offered by Petty Holdings at the speedway. The experience officially debuts on Monday, but the kind folks over there gave a few of us a chance to get behind the wheel a little early.

Like I said, I fell in love.

This was easily one of the coolest things I have ever done, a real bucket list kind of thing. Put it this way, if Michael Jordan were a car, he’d be a Lamborghini (0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and costs $220,000). The acceleration, the handling, the traction and, thank God, the braking are unlike anything I have ever experienced in a car. And it was even more evident when Brazilian race car driver Christian Fittipaldi took me for a spin in a black Ferrari 458 – we were doing 130 mph through a high-banked turn while passing mere inches from the wall yet the car felt like it was glued to the road. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to go back to just driving my little car ever again.

The Exotic Driving Experience offers the chance to drive a Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 997 S and Audi R8 in addition to two types of Lamborghinis, with more supercar models coming in the future. Prices range between $199-$389 for six laps depending on which model you choose.

For me, I’m sticking with my girl, the Lamborghini Gallardo, even though I swear that red Ferrari kept making eyes at me as I left the speedway.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/01/a-ride-of-a-lifetime-walt-disney-world-resorts-disney-speedway/

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

More from WDW News Today. Follow the link at the end for lots more photos...

First-Look at the Exotic Driving Experience at the WDW Speedway

Jan 13, 2012 by wdwntadmin No Comments Posted under: General Resort News

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth had the chance to test drive the new Exotic Driving Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway earlier today during a media event. The experience is set to officially debut on Monday, January 16th, but we’re providing an early look for those of you interested. We’ll start off with a video of Adam driving the Lamborghini SuperLeggera on the added modified course:

The walls are decorated to promote the new offering in the briefing room

The briefing room is now shared for both experiences

Professional racer Christian Fittipaldi talking to the media

Gary gave details about each car and the track layout

The cars were then put into a hat and drawn at random to be paired with drivers, a fair method

Audi R8

Lamborghini Gallardo 560-4

Lamborghini SuperLeggera which Adam drove

Ferrari 458 Italia

Your video is stored on a flash drive if you choose to buy it for $90

Lamborghini Aventador

Ferrari 458

A car in action

Reservations can be made at

www.exoticdriving.com or by calling 855-822-0149

Fun facts:

-They are looking to expand their fleet of supercars in the future, including a dedicated car for Thrill Ride (ride along) passengers.

-Ride videos are available for purchase at the end of the experience and run around $90 for a CD copy, with an extra charge for a USB version. The video includes a program loggin statistics from your run, including lateral forces, lap data and driver speeds.

-Vehicle speedometers are covered, preventing drivers from looking at their supercar’s speed. The Exotic Driving Experience aims to bring a focus on “technique rather than speed.”

-The vehicles all feature a paddle-shift system that eliminates the need for a traditional clutch. Gear shifting is accomplished using paddles located behind the steering wheel for easy access. Onboard computers aid in the shifting of the gears to accomodate for seamless shifting without requiring a release of the gas pedal.

-For those not comfortable with the idea of shifting manual (using the paddle shift), all vehicles are capable of being placed in an automatic shifting program led by the onboard computers. This program can be accessed at the touch of a button at any point during the drive, allowing drivers to try paddle shift but to switch to automatic mid-experience.

http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/8538