Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE)

For those that don't know 2000-2001 when I lived in Orlando FL I worked for Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE) http://www.1800bepetty.com/home.aspx in Orlando which is opened pretty much year round. Thought I would only stay 6 months, well 16 months later I moved back to Texas because I ran out of money. I arrived back in Texas Sept 8, 2001. I worked in the apparel trailer selling t-shirts and other merchandise along with sodas, my least favorite position. I also worked the media center where students gathered to take the classes to actually drive the car. Then I also worked the laptop computer on pit road where the lap time sheets were printed out for each student and presented at the end of the experience. One day the RPDE track manager (for both Daytona and Orlando) said we could do a FREE ride-along at the Daytona track on a certain date. I made sure my hiney was there. The driver for my ride-along was one of the drivers (Tommy King) from the Orlando track. We're both like "what are you doing here?"! Seeing the Daytona track live and in person, it was amazing!!!

Oh and when the afternoons at RPDE Orlando were slow the employees sometimes got to drive a car just like the students did. It's a lead follow program. You follow the instructor car/truck in front of you. No radios in your car. I was psyching myself up as I knew one day it would be me. And one day it was. I know how to drive a stick but normally don't. I pulled out of pit road nice and easy. I did a good job, too! But being out there on the track by yourself (with the instructor car) was lonely. Would be more fun being out there with other drivers on the track. Awesome experience none-the-less!

PICTURES: http://picasaweb.google.com/thomtxt/RPDE20002001?authkey=KMk-yDP6NcQ

I also got to shake Kyle Petty's hand when I was working in the apparel trailer one day. He brought some people (probably sponsors) to the Orlando track for ride-a-longs. Then they all jumped back into the very nice bus. We guessed they were heading to Tampa for the Superbowl.