Drove "The Monster Mile" at Dover today !

So my birthday is in two weeks and my wife's parents, my father, brother, sister and sister-in-law all chipped in and surprised me with a session with "Monster Racing" - 4 laps around the Dover Nascar "Monster Mile" driven by a professional driver in a real Nascar race car, and then me driving 10 laps by myself in another race car following behind the professional instructor.

The cars are detuned cars from last year's Nascar season - just over 500hp, 4 speed manual transmissions, about $60,000 each, with in car video you can purchase for $65.00 on a DVD. About 60 people were there today. My session cost my relatives $500.00.

Day started with a van ride around the track with the instructor pointing out what lines we had to follow. Then we went down to pit row where we were given full driving suits, helmets and gloves. Then we got in line for the 4 lap ride. They were running nine cars and there were about 20 people working to get people suited up and in and out of the cars. Also had a full set of EMS and ambulances on the side of the track.

My 4 lap, 4 mile ride lasted 2 minutes - thats what happens when your going 134mph (had my Garmin GPS turned on in my pocket). My driver took off full throttle right out of the pits. The speed was amazing, but the grip of the car in the 24 degree banked turns was just incredible. I was almost a little dizzy on the first lap until I adjusted to the speed. By the fourth lap I was able to recognize the turns, the pits, the finish line etc. And then that part was done.

Then, after a 90 minute wait it was my turn to drive. I approached the car, entered through the window, sat in the seat and they buckled my safety harness TIGHT. They put on the sterring wheel, fastened the window netting, and told me have fun. Next thing I know the instructor and the other guy in my group were moving. I put the thing in first gear and pulled out of the pits. The clutch was high and hard, the brakes were very high effort, and the four speed shifted like an old truck. The visibility was horrible - window was dirty with big vertical struts. I'm 6'2" and my legs were cramped - I had to push the acclerator almost sideways with my foot. And the entire experience was awesome.

The instructor sets the pace and you must follow him at least 8 car lengths behind. I went from about 40 mph on the first lap to 91 mph on the last. I was sure I was going alot faster - and am somewhat disappointed I didn't at least go 100. My problem was the turns I think. It took several laps to not ease up in the turns - the banked turns and the walls come up so fast, and everything is white (track surface and stands) so its hard to see at first. They want you in the middle of the track in the straights and as low as possible in the 4 turns. Each time I relaxed in the turn I could feel the car lose momentum. So you have to learn to just stay on the gas and trust the car. The grip on those cars is not to be believed - I should have been more aggressive but I was pretty nervous. By the 6th lap the instructor and other guy were a half a lap ahead of me - which meant I couldn't see them at all and was basically driving by myself. At first I felt embarrassed, but this was the other guy's third time at Dover. By the 10th lap I was already feeling heat and even had some rubber bits on my cheeks - I can't imagine 400 laps in 85 degrees at 150mph with 40 other cars all 6 inches apart.

An official photographer took pictures of me outside the car, in the car, and driving the car on the track - $55.00 for the set, which I bought.

Many of the people there were there for the 3rd, 4th or 5th time. Two people had bought 30 laps. But the most popular was the package I had.

At the end of the day the supervisor thanked us all for coming and reminded us what would happen if we called the NFL and asked them if we could play some touch football in their stadiums. Then he asked us all to tell someone about Nascar and Monster Racing at Dover.

My family spent $500, I drove 5 hours round trip, and I only rode in a race car for 2 minutes, and only drove a race car for 10 minutes. But I felt it was well worth it. For anyone who lives near Dover, DE - save your money and then go drive The Monster Mile just once. What a fun day.Craig

So you drove in a circle?

So, you both started your post with So.

Sounds like a blast!

Was this the Jeff Gordon Racing School?

I bought a package just like this for my father for Christmas last year and he drove around Charlotte for 8 laps on his own. They had a smorgasbord of different drivers cars there, all of the Hendrick cars and a few of the other drivers. a few were fitted with a passenger seat and they took you around the track going up to 180mph with an experienced driver.

The best part was in the morning. The track was wet so they had everyone get their vehicles and drive around the track to dry it off. Nothing cooler then riding in your own car about 100mph going around Charlotte Motor Speedway. Quick fact, you can go around the whole track (minus the quick bend at the start/finish line) at about 75-80mph without touching the steering wheel.


/thread hijack

Delaware

I was just down there earlier this week.

I have attended many races at Dover. Awesome track to do a driving experience. I am envious. I would like to try Pocono also. Thanks for sharing.

This is one of those "once in a lifetime" experiences I'd love to do at some point... hmmm.. sounds like a good thread. :


Awesome deal Craig.... hope you have as much fun the next time you go

Quote: Originally Posted by gcliff23... Was this the Jeff Gordon Racing School? I bought a package just like this for my father for Christmas last year and he drove around Charlotte for 8 laps on his own. They had a smorgasbord of different drivers cars there, all of the Hendrick cars and a few of the other drivers. a few were fitted with a passenger seat and they took you around the track going up to 180mph with an experienced driver. The best part was in the morning. The track was wet so they had everyone get their vehicles and drive around the track to dry it off. Nothing cooler then riding in your own car about 100mph going around Charlotte Motor Speedway. Quick fact, you can go around the whole track (minus the quick bend at the start/finish line) at about 75-80mph without touching the steering wheel. /thread hijack

No, not Jeff Gordon. This outfit is called "Monster Racing", obviously after the "Monster Mile" nickname for the Dover track. No street cars on this track, and no one goes 180 either as the track is too small. The track is only a mile around and with each lap taking 30 - 45 seconds you are basically either in a turn or setting up for a turn all the time. Even with the banking at only 60 mph you still need to turn the wheel and hold it or you'll be heading for the wall. That Charlotte track sounds great.

(And thanks for responding. This board sure has changed over the years. I think a few years ago anyone posting about a drive on a Nascar track at over 130 mph would have gotten alot more than 6 responses. Or maybe its just me. )

That is awesome. I'm thinking of doing a 1 day course at Pacific Raceway where you can take your car and get 1 on 1 instruction.

Quote: Originally Posted by rrdroman... I have attended many races at Dover. Awesome track to do a driving experience. I am envious. I would like to try Pocono also. Thanks for sharing.

Same here. I'd like to do Pocono only because it's longer.

I did this in Dallas at Texas Motor Speedway and it was incredible, however I got to drive 10 laps and it cost a LOT less than $500.

That does sound like a helluva lot of fun CSF. I'd love to try it.

Quote: Originally Posted by soonergto... I did this in Dallas at Texas Motor Speedway and it was incredible, however I got to drive 10 laps and it cost a LOT less than $500.

Note, the TMS event I want to do is the DriversEdge TMS - After Dark. This is an HPDE event run each year, meaning - your car (with very good brakes), on the TMS Roval circuit. Several sessions, 20 minutes at a time on the track (first session run before sunset). That layout runs in the infield too, but you use a bunch of the big track. And will run silly high speeds - all under the lights. You do have to be an Blue Solo Driver or better to sign up (no noobs).


All that said. The Monster mile in a NASCAR, alone, cool... way cool.

Father and I are planning on doing something like this very soon. Thanks for posting!