Testimonials "I cannot begin to express how happy I am about my Indy Racing Experience. It is difficult to describe the feeling without using adjectives like, THRILLING, EXHILARATING, AWESOME, AND AMAZING...I was impressed with everyone and everything from Checking in to Suiting Up to the Ride Itself. I was especially pleased with how thorough the staff was in assuring my safety; no stone went unturned. Those 3 Laps at the World's Greatest Race Track with Davey Hamilton at the wheel were moments that I will never forget. This experience fulfilled a personal dream for me and it is a story I will enjoy sharing for the rest of my life. Book It! You'll be so glad you did!" Angela Sturgis (Muncie, IN.)May 2012 "I had been coming to Indianapolis since I was a kid about 7 years old when my dad would bring us for practice and maybe a couple of qualifying days. Always have had a great interest in cars and mechanical things in general. My dad came to the race every year since 1946- fifty nine in a row until he passed away in 2006. Myself I have been to every race since 1966, do I have a keen appreciation for the traditions and mystique and history of the race. Never even got to set in the cockpit of one though until my ride along this past Monday June 18, 2012. A gift from my wife for Christmas. I knew pretty much what to expect at least I thought so anyway. Davey Hamilton was my driver and we took off from the pits and he stood on it through the gears out onto the backstretch at full speed and he never lifted for all three laps. Incredible g forces in the corners. Slammed it down to the white line never lifted anywhere. Stuck right there going through the corners couldn’t hold my head up straight due to the g forces and it never even seemed like it would slide at all just a tremendous thrill all the way through even coming down into the pits on the final lap he was at full throttle until almost the starting line before slowing. Fantastic in every way. Loved every second of it. Tremendously exciting, every descriptive superlative applies perfectly to this experience. I will never forget it. Way over and above anything I was expecting. Wish my dad could have done it too." Michael Andrews (Centerville, OH.) June 18, 2012 "I wanted to pass on my deepest thanks to the whole Indy Racing Experience Team for my recent experience at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I had raced in the professional ranks of the Toyota Formula Atlantic Championship in the late 80’s and early 90’s and was hoping that this would be a well organized program that would allow me the to drive a real Indy car on the greatest track in the world. My experience was awesome. First, Shonda was wonderful in answering several of my emails that I sent to her weeks before my ride. The Indy Experience also allowed me to use my own driving equipment from when I raced, which made my time at the speedway that much more special. Secondly, the crews that helped fit me in the car and get me ready to go out were extremely professional and many had obviously worked on Indy Car teams before. They even made sure to get my belts just the way I liked them so I was comfortable in the cockpit. I was also very impressed with the way the cars were prepared for the day. There were stacks of brand new sticker Firestones that were put on the cars. I just figured that I would be going out on the track with old tires and sliding around out there, but that was definitely not the case. The cars were in excellent condition and very well maintained. This gave me a great deal of confidence before I even pulled onto the track. I would highly recommend this to anyone who has ever had the desire to drive a real Indy Car around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It is worth every penny! It was without a doubt one of the greatest highlights of my racing experiences." Brent Lachelt (Glendora, CA.)July 17, 2012 "The Indy Driving Experience is something beyond my wildest childhood dreams. It takes you from spectator to driver. The key word is "Experience". This is not just another thrill ride around a speedway. The program is designed to make you feel like a race car driver. From the time you enter the 16th street tunnel until you exit the property you are made to feel special. You drive a chassis that was entered in the 500. The Safety Crew is positioned around the track just like a race. You wear a logoed drivers suit. You attend a drivers meeting. A crew of 4 to 6 people surround your car making last minute safety checks and strapping you in. Dario Francitti does not get more attention from his crew. As you are waiting to start engines, you can almost hear the playing of Taps and Jim Nabors singing "Back Home Again in Indiana". As the crew engages the starter you can't help but think that Mary Hulman George has just given the command to start engines. Letting out the clutch, the adrenaline begins to surge as you realize you are driving a race car on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was a feeling of elation when I realized at the end of the backstretch that I was floor boarded and going to hold it wide open through turns 3 and 4. That was quickly followed by the tunnel of grandstands and the 90% turn 1. Your mind says let up but your heart keeps the pedal to the floor. As you circle the track, the screaming engine, the wind buffeting the helmet and your hands tight on the steering wheel, makes you realize a dream has come true. The only thing the Indy Driving Experience lacks is a cold container of milk at the end. The ride along is equally exciting. Being driven around the Speedway by a Indy 500 driver/winner at over 150 mph gives you an appreciation for the speed, noise, wind and G-force they experience. You realize what professional they are and courage they possess. For anyone who treasures memories of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy Driving/Riding Experience is a bucket list item." 2012 "I’ve done a lot of things in my life, but this was one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done! Each and every staff member in Orlando acted very professional and helped to make this a most memorable day. I will definitely come back and do this again. It’s addictive!!! It’s really something to be able to say you drove a real race car. This is a once in a lifetime experience you don’t want to miss…warning……you’ll want to do it again! Thanks to the entire crew! Brian G. Kennedy (Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla.) January 10, 2011
"For my 50th birthday, my wife bought me both the driving and riding experience in Orlando. OMG! What an experience, I had the time of my life!! Two laps into the driving, you could not knock off the smile on my face with a brick. I am grinning to this day. All I can think is my next opportunity to drive in Orlando again. The staff is professional and friendly. They made the experience personal and memorable. Thank you guys for the adrenaline rush! I look forward to coming back." Brian Schroeder (Sacramento, Calif.) November 6, 2010 "Shonda, I wanted to pass on my sincerest thanks to the whole Indy Racing Experience team for my recent experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway. Quite frankly there aren’t enough superlatives to describe it! My wife surprised me with the driving experience for my 30th birthday and it was something I will never forget. I’ve followed IndyCar racing for 20 years and the chance to drive an actual Indy car on an oval was a dream come true. The whole experience was awesome in the truest sense of the word – even just putting on the Simpson race suit and the fireproof balaclava left me with a ridiculously huge grin on my face. I’ve been lucky enough to do driving experiences back home but nothing comes close to what I enjoyed at the Speedway – driving a car piloted by Montoya at Indy on the track that hosted the inaugural IRL race still seems surreal even now. I know I probably only used 10% of the car’s potential but the G-forces through the corners were immense – my neck hurt after 4 laps! And when I thought there was no way those Firehawks would grip in the corner any faster, the car just ate it all up with ease. But most of all it gave me a new sense of admiration and respect for my heroes – IndyCar racers past and present. To drive those cars, at much greater speed, for 200 laps, with another 20 cars all around you is a mind-blowing concept. I’ve always argued with friends in Europe that oval racing is not ‘just turning left’ and now I can tell them, from experience, that it is so much more intense! Thanks for the absolutely fantastic day – the whole crew in Orlando were great and are a credit to the organization. And a big thank you also for the access on the day – my wife got some cracking shots which will be wonderful mementos of the day I was, for a little while at least, an IndyCar racer!" Andy Webb (Glasgow, Scotland) October 9, 2010 "Shonda, I just want to leave you with this. I am an adrenaline junkie. I have climbed mountains, flown gliders, and scuba dived all over the world. I have raced open wheel cars with Skip Barber, dog-sledded in minus 40 degree weather, etc., and nothing …….NOTHING provided quite the level of excitement as the Indy Racing Experience. It was first class all the way. The cars were AMAZING, the crew and drivers were the BEST. I can’t wait to come back, and bring some friends! Thanks!" Walt Leonard September 21, 2010 "My father turned 80 last January. He has always loved fast cars! I decided to send him to do the Indy Racing Experience to celebrate his birthday. When I told him everything was set, he told me that he wrote in his high school year book that the one thing he wanted to do before he died was to drive at Indy. I never knew that! Thank you Shonda and the Indy Racing Experience team for taking such good care of my Dad. My mother was a spectator and still talks about your kindness and care of the two of them! They tells us stories about their experiences every time I see them. Dad will never forget!" Patricia Deede July 24, 2010 "I have been an Indy fan since the 1950s. When I got to go to my first 500 race in 1960, I was hooked and have been going ever since. Never did I dream that I, a farmer from Wisconsin, would get to drive an "Indy Car"on the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway! My wife, children, and grandchildren gave me that chance for Christmas last December. It was fulfilled July 9th, after a rain delay on July 8th. I got to experience the drive and ride of a lifetime!!! Shonda, Mike and the crew were great! I tell my family and friends to take advantage of this unbelievably low-priced, awesome experience. Mike, you said "the tires would stick" so I held it to the floor all the way--they did!! Thank you everyone! Jerome Benisch (Rio, Wisconsin) July 13, 2010 "I've always dreamed of being a race car driver. At my current age of 37, I will most likely never recognize that dream. I grew up looking up to guys named - Andretti, Foyt, Fittipaldi, Mansell, Mears & Sullivan. What the Indy Experience did for me in those 8 laps, was to give me a taste of being a race champion! All at the place where dreams come true - Walt Disney World (Speedway), of course. The staff were professional and friendly - they emphasized safety and fun. I plan on coming back for more "experiences" VERY soon. Thank you for letting me taste the dream!" Rob LoManto (New Jersey) July 11, 2010
The anticipation had built up BIG Time, as up until now Ray's track driving experience has been driving a Vintage midget Speedcar built in ’69. He really felt it would be a "piece of cake" to conquer the Indy track. May I just say here, Ray now has letters after his name I.D. for Indy Driver. He was ready for his big day with our dear friends Karen and Dave. Ray was unusually quite, but we were ready for this exhilarating memorable experience… his first in an open-wheeler. As we were directed to where Shonda and her experienced team awaited our expected arrival, Ray was suited up and briefed on fire protection. "Oh yes, we do that all the time with the Vintage midgets,” Ray thought! But, Ray was now playing with the BIG Boys! He quickly found a seat to listen to this very professional briefing. Ray came away from there having fully realized that THIS was it! Coming out of the suiting booth with a spring in his step, looking pretty sharp in his fireproof white race suit, royal blue boots and gloves, to where Mike, one of Shonda's professional crew members, would fit Ray with his protective helmet. He was ready, but the nerves were starting to kick in. Then Ray's name was called; his lifelong dream was about to be realized. He had seen and heard so many famous drivers make their mark, starting from DePalma all those years ago to Foyt and so on. And now Ray was about to make his! Neatly tucked into this full-size Indy car, belted and strapped down, Ray was given the signal to go. He had the most unbelievable, exhilarating, awesome, memorable, high-speed drive in an open-wheel Indy car to the point that Ray now has more than total respect for drivers that do 800 turns with 32 other cars on the track at one time! The gravity and g-forces are amazing and his experience will never leave him. Ray's recommendation to all would be drivers, go do it NOW! It's an experience you'll never forget. Ray has wonderful memories: the feel of the car at high speed, the smell of the fuel, the atmosphere of the day, to see the track roll out in front of you at such high speed, and then the brilliant photos. It is a thrill you will never get from sitting and watching the race on the telly. For myself, Ray's wife, well, Ray was given the checkered flag. He still hasn't taken the smile off his face and it was worth every cent to see this little Vintage Speedcar driver have his dream come true, driving in and open-wheeler on the Indy track. You made this little Aussie's dream come true. Ailsa and Ray Priddey (Brisbane, Australia)
Joe Persekian (Chicago, Ill.) "I just returned from my Ultimate Driving Experience - it was Awesome!! It was great to be able to do both the drive and the ride-along. Talking with some of my co-drivers, we all had the same reaction when asked to pick which we liked better - "They're both great!" Having the chance to drive an Indy car on the track is a lot of fun ("give me one more gear!") but doing the laps at high-speed gave me a whole lot of respect for those that do it for 800 turns with 32 other cars on the track. I'd call it a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but I want to do it again! Kudos also to the entire Indy Racing Experience crew - a very, very professionally run operation. My wife joined me for the day, and after seeing all the people, equipment and work that goes into providing this thrill ride, she said "That really is a great value!" It's funny, as I sit here typing this I can still smell the ethanol! I'm sure it is just the memory that has been burned into my brain. Thanks again for the Experience. It was well worth it and I would recommend it to anyone!” Bert Smith “Unbelievable!! That’s all I could say when friends ask me “How was it”. For someone that has been a spectator in Turn 3 for every Indy 500 since 1974 (I was 8), it was an amazing dream come true to allowed the opportunity to drive on the most famous race course in the world where Foyt, the Unsers and Mears drove. I felt I was pushing the limits of gravity when I drove; but then, riding in the two-seater, I was taken to another world of racing…..and to think they race 2 and 3 wide at even faster speeds is incredible. I have an entirely new respect for the drivers now. Shonda and the crew were great at helping my wife give a birthday present of a lifetime. Thank you all so much and thank you to Indy Racing for allowing such a unique experience.” <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><!--[endif]--> Brad Rumph (Louisville, Ky.) "It was over too soon. Just when I got comfy trying to steer smoothly through the corners and applying the throttle exiting the turns the yellow light came on and the ride was over. 'Just one or two more laps please,' I screamed inside my helmet. Check this one off my bucket list. The Indy Racing Experience is by far the most professional, efficiently run and fun driving experience in the market today. The access that you give to your guests for photo taking is phenomenal. My wife, who now considers herself a professional photographer, took some awesome shots both in the pits and on the track. Thanks for a wonderful day. I’ll be back with my friends soon. Scott Russell (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.) July 20, 2009
Anderson Silva (Clayton, N.C.) "I can't stop grinning. Almost two weeks after driving an IndyCar in Orlando I can still see the track unreeling in front of me as I dove into turn one, tried to get the line right in turn two and accelerated out of turn three and down the front straight to do it all again. I've done high speed autocrosses and driven plenty of fast cars but none of them had anything approaching the feeling of driving an open-wheel race car on a track. The Indy Racing Experience is huge fun and gave me a "speed fix" I really needed. The only problem is now I'm looking into taking an open-wheel racing course to feed what could become an addiction! “Just wanted to send a quick note following yesterday's drive at IMS. Many, many thanks to everyone who make this available and put this program together! For a boy who grew up in Indiana in the 70s, there was little that meant more than basketball and the Indy 500. To watch both was tradition; to participate in basketball was typical. To drive at the speedway was the one Hoosier element I was sure to never attain. At least not until yesterday. On September 24th, 2008, I was able to drive around the greatest racetrack in the world, on the exact paths of the heroes of the Brickyard, in an Indycar with motor screaming, blood pumping, eyes wide, and hands gripping. Simply, you have provided the ability for that boy to live out the most incredible dream from his youth. It's an experience I will most certainly never forget and I thank all who make this possible.” David Zehr (Goshen, Ind.) “I want to compliment the crew member who was handing out the helmets and, in general, supervising the entry of the riders into the cars. When I experienced claustrophobia, he very patiently made me feel at ease, offered support, and made suggestions as to how to cope with the situation. Because of him, I went back in the car and had a wonderful ride and exhilarating experience.” Jerry Schroeder |
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