Rusty Wallace Racing Experience – Stafford Motor Speedway

My wife got me 15 hot laps — i was a little nervous but really had a great time. They coach you into it well, its pretty bullet proof. If you listen and drive as they say and listen to your spotter its a blast! I was cautious at first but by the 15^th lap I was going pretty darn fast. The cars are pretty beat up but realistic. They smell like racing fuel and motor oil — PERFECT! If you are expecting hopped up street cars — don’t do this. They are REAL retired race cars with small block race motors, 5:50 rear end and cast iron three speed trannys… You start out in second and shift into third. thats it for shifting. The ½ mile track and the rear are perfect for third gear. I would definitely do it again — I felt like a teenager again (I am 51). I stayed in my comfort zone and definitely pushed the envelope. Fun, Fun Fun. Corey was out instructor and was informative and funny. It was definitely something I can now cross off my bucket list!!! Thanks!!!

I was only an observer to my husband’s Rusty Wallace Racing Experience but I can say, he had a great time! Check-​in went smoothly at the outside trailer. Next was the 40 minute classroom session (I was allowed to sit in on it, even though I wasn’t driving) where the basics of driving a race car were reviewed. How to shift, where on the track to brake or accelerate, how the dynamics of the car aided the driver in turning, etc. and how to get in and out of the 5-​point restraints. After everyone’s questions were answered, it was time to head to the track.
My husband had signed up for a ride-​along, so he suited up in the fire suit and helmet and first did five laps as a passenger with a professional driver. After that, he was put in his own car and, once everything was set, he drove his own ten laps. The drivers have headsets and there are spotters to guide them verbally while they’re driving, hopefully preventing any foolish and costly errors by the novice drivers. I don’t think more than five cars were ever on the track at one time so it wasn’t too crowded.
Stafford is a short track, only ½ mile long, so speeds never got up over 80 mph. Still, my husband was all smiles when he finished and felt that he had a great afternoon’s adventure. The participants were mostly men, but there were a couple of women who drove, too.
Things ran pretty much on time the day we were there; our reservation was for 1pm and we finished around 3:30pm. It was a good day with no problems on the track, but if something goes wrong, it can shut the whole thing down and the participants will be offered an opportunity to reschedule on another weekend. Another thing to be aware of is the liability issue; if you buy the $ 60 insurance coverage, your maximum liability is $ 1000 if you damage the car. Without insurance, you’re liable for all the costs. We opted for the insurance; some people didn’t. But accidents do happen out there so I’d go for it rather than take chances.

Maybe it just happened to be one of those days? I arrived at 12:30 pm for my 1:00 pm. They make you take a 45 minute class which didn’t start until quarter to 2. There’s no area to wait so I stood sweating with everyone else until we were let inside of the classroom which was a hotbox (there’s no AC anywhere). By the time we actually got onto the track it was around 3:00 pm. Since I had the video package I had to wait for one of the two cars that I would fit in (I’m 6’4″). I was bumped by other «groups» that had video packages with there friends and an individual that was larger than me. It’s after 4:30 and I still haven’t gone… next thing you know the 2:00 pm group shows up and people without the video package are loaded into cars as I’m still waiting. Then, an engine blows spilling oil all over the track. A two hour delay is announced and they inform everyone that they can leave to reschedule. I walk away with my head down, a complete waste of a day, an unfortunate birthday gift, and an even worse «experience»…

I was not impressed with the customer service at all. I paid for 5 extra laps which I never received. I had to go back and get a refund. The video option which I paid about $ 60 for never recorded. They said that I had to get my refund online since I purchased it online. There is no way for me to prove that I never got my video unless I did it at the track. The car had a flat tire and it took 13 minutes to change while I sat in the car in 85 degree weather. We were 45 minutes late getting onto the track even though we were all on time. It’s unfortunate as it was fun while driving but someone needs to go in there and clean house to get it right.