Rusty Wallace Racing Experience, Illinois, United States

5Larry R 5:00 PM Sep 16, 2017

Fathers Day gift of a lifetime
I now have a new found respect for the NASCAR drivers! This was a blast. The operation is very well run and stresses skills and most of all safety. Really a personal thrill ride when they turn you loose behind the wheel; you own the experience all by yourself.

4Michael T 5:00 PM May 28, 2015

Nascar at Milwaukee Mile
My wife got me this for a birthday gift and when a great offer showed up via their website we jumped on it. Signed up online - 8 laps plus insurance for 210 ~ plus taxes :( Arrived day of race and circled State fair park for an open entrance and then were directed to the infield. Found a trailer where I was signed in, attempted an up-sell of photo and video packages as well as additional laps and then was sent to the 'school'. In the school which started about 10 minutes late we were told what to watch for on the track, where to brake and given a mostly very thorough 30 minute lesson in driving on this track and how to escape the car in the event of a big problem. Two items I thought were missed that I didn't realize until it was over (I'm not a NASCAR driver after all) was how hard to press the brakes to slow the car and how the car's driving characteristics would change during the time I was on the track. Next up was getting into the fire-suit and a helmet. They were short helmets so a few of us were instructed to watch for someone coming off of the track to try and get one. Everything did fit OK though and looks good in photos. The suites are black however and waiting in the sun for my turn to race was getting pretty warm. A few canopies to hide under would be nice. After waiting in line for a car for about 20 minutes it was my turn. I was one of the last out of the suit-up area, so most in our group went ahead of me. Now the fun part. I got to ride in the pepsi/Yoda 24 car. There was a person to help me get in the car, get a radio installed so I could listen to a spotter, and generally get me ready to go. After that he handed me off to a spotter up in the press area somewhere who was great. This person was keeping me from crashing and helped me to have a great time. Car was a 4 speed stick shift. Don't worry - they will tell you how to operate this if you don't know. The spotter even told me when to shift. During this fun time I only had to get the car into fourth gear. No downshifting - at the end we were instructed to simply coast in in neutral. Now I am rolling down pit road. Spotter has me shift up through the gears and by the back straightaway I am in fourth and accelerating. The track has markings on it that I am supposed to stay in-between and if I strayed too much from them the spotter was quick to tell me to go up or come down. On the track there are cones to tell you when to hit the brakes and when to let up as you enter the turns. Spotter is also reminding me as I drive. My first time I was too fast into the turn (but not too fast!) and he warned me to take it easy the next time. It was nice having him along. One thing about Rusty Wallace is there is no pace car and I am racing with other cars like myself. I eventually overtook another car. The passing was very controlled by my spotter and the spotter for the other car ~ there is no unauthorized passing, it was very safe. About my 6th lap I started getting in trouble with the spotter again for not staying in the right place on the turns - this is where I felt the car was 'softer' or something. I figure the tires were heated up - it was over 80 and sunny out. Then it was over. I was back to the pits coasting and extracted from the car. A great time. 8 laps seemed about right. On the one mile track it was starting to get monotonous. I never felt too hot inside the car. It was so fun driving and I was so into it I never looked at the speedometer to see how fast I was going. It didn't feel as fast as I expected, but the sounds of the cars are impressive. The only other complaint comes from my wife. She wants a shirt that said 'Driver's Wife' on it, but that wasn't one they had for sale. Maybe if they read this it will be there next time I do this.