TRR photo by Sandra Deckelman Doug Smith of Fosterdale fastens his helmet in preparation for his ultimate driving experience. Smith and other area businessmen were in attendance on the day of my ride. (Click for larger image)

The ultimate experience

LONG POND — Calling it “the ultimate stock car experience” is appropriate. One hundred seventy miles per hour through the turns at Pocono International Speedway was my ultimate experience at 877-STOCKCAR, a driving program available at the track.

Driving into the speedway through the third-turn tunnel, I was unsure of what to expect from my day at Pocono. The sound of the Winston Cup cars roaring made my heart start to pound and my palms sweat. I was anxious, nervous and excited. I arrived early to watch the class already on the track.

The program at Stock Car Racing Experience is simple. You decide what class you want to take, call the 800 number, pay the fee and show up on time, rain or shine! During the class, you learn about the racetrack and how to maneuver for the best speed. The instructors discuss the rules of the track and safety measures. Safety is the name of the game. If you are unable to be safe, you are unable to participate. The program boasts of not having any accidents during its three-year lifetime. After your classroom time, a hands-on approach to teaching takes you outside to learn about your racecar. The shifting pattern, seatbelts and other safety equipment are covered.

After looking over the car, the class piles into a passenger van, and tours the track, learning more about handling the cars and maneuvering the turns. You make several laps around the 2.5-mile track. The van then drops you off at the pit.

Once in the pit, you are instructed on your fire suit and helmet, then left to dress and wait for your turn on the track.

The program offers different levels and ranges in price from the $90 ride, $450 follow the leader (instructor) package or the $2,500 passing, no instructor package, all with a different number of laps. Although driving was what I really wanted to do, Jimmy Burns set me up, courtesy of the program, in the ride package.

My driver, Sam Ryan, has been racing since 1981, spending three years at Pocono with this program. He was already in the car, so I stuck my head in and introduced myself. I asked for the ride of a lifetime, and he made a sinister little laugh. I got in, fastened my belts and gave the thumbs-up sign, telling Sam to go fast. We left pit road and went into the first turn doing approximately 7,000 rpm, or 150 mph. All I could do was smile. I wanted to scream from pure excitement, but was afraid Sam would slow down. We made several laps at 170 mph, Sam hardly lifting his foot. At times the car felt like it was floating. The rev of the motor kept my heart pounding and the g-force in the turns kept me pushed against the seat. The g-force made it difficult to hold my head up at times, but gave the full experience of what a Winston Cup driver’s body goes through.

As we made our final lap and geared down coming back onto pit road, I started to hoot and holler. Sam smiled, knowing that he had given me the full experience and I had not only survived it, but also wanted more!

The speed was a natural rush. I felt like a real driver, leaning against the pit wall with my fire suit tied around my waist, chatting with my driver and some of the other employees.

If you are into NASCAR, Winston Cup or just speed, this is the program for you. For more information call 877-STOCKCAR or visit www.877stockcar.com.

Be sure to follow this column in Things Are Happening through the summer, as we check out all kinds of motorsports, including ATV’s, racing go carts and race cars of all kinds.

Is there a motor sport you would like to learn more about or see covered? Do you know someone involved in the motor sport scene and would like me to check them out? Drop me a line by e-mail to sandy@riverreporter.com or snail mail me at The River Reporter, Attn. Motor Maddness, PO Box 8, Narrowsburg, NY 12764.