Posted on 02/04/2008 10:43:18 AM PST by stainlessbanner
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A 60-year-old tourist died after he crashed while driving a Richard Petty Driving Experience NASCAR vehicle at the Daytona International Speedway.
Track officials said Robert Boswell was driving around the speedway Sunday night when he somehow lost control of the race car and crashed into a wall.
Boswell was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center, where he was declared dead at about 7 p.m., officials said.
Cars can reach speeds of 120 mph in the simulated stock car racing attraction at the Daytona Beach International Speedway.
An autopsy is being conducted to determine if any health condition contributed to the crash.
Boswell was an avid race fan, officials said.
The Richard Petty driving experience was closed to the public Monday because of the crash.
Well, at least I know where the comment that went through my mind would have ended up if I had hit the post button.
Probably had a heart attack at all the excitement.
I agree. 120 in a NASCAR doesn’t seem that different from doing 90 in my truck on a normal day between DC and Baltimore on I-95. If I am paying money I want to go fast; 180 or more fast if possible depending on the track.
With all due respect to the dead man, its asinine to allow novices onto a racetrack. Just as it would be to climb aboard a space shuttle or dive into a shark cage.
Certain activities require a level of expertise, and paying simple admission isn’t a qualifier.
I was ready to post the same thing. I guess some people still worship St. Dale and insist his name shall not be mocked.
With no statistics at hand, I’ll postulate that the death/injury rate per mile for the PDE is better than for the general public on suburban roads.
Just as the death/injury rate for a US soldier working in Iraq is lower than if he/she was in many US urban areas.
It was much more physical than I thought it was going to be. The Cars are really striped down and you vibrate with the RPM, teeth and all. I did start to doubt my confidence after the car was started and the belts were tight, (real tight!) But I hit the gas and tailgated the spotter in front of me for 8 laps.
I'd do it again.
I hear there are a couple drag racing experience places with full blown, top fuel dragsters that will do in excess of 300 MPH. I would much rather do that.
Maybe they could rename it the
Dale Ernhardt Experience
Cold but funny.
Sounds like a heart attack behind the wheel to me...
I just did this last summer (IT WAS FRICKIN’ AWESOME!).
But, that being said - you can’t “slump over the wheel” with all the straps and safety equip.
The heat inside is about 30-40 degrees higher than ambient. Maybe a stroke or something.
>>Well, at least he died happy.<<
That’s what I was thinking.
Meanwhile, I’ve had my Chrysler 300m at over 130 in Montana. It is amazing how tight those “gradual” turns feel at that speed.
i agree - i did the ride-along at lowes (165 mph!!)
highly recommmended and i love nascar - but that’s why i didn’t drive it to start. there’s a reason they make all that $$
man, whatta rush, though!
everybody should try it!
>>With all due respect to the dead man, its asinine to allow novices onto a racetrack.<<
If the top speed is 120, it is hardly a “racetrack”. Also, if he was alone, he wasn’t racing. It is probably the safest place in the country to do those kind of speeds.
I drove a GMC Syclone 125 mph for two laps around Rockingham once....then they saw me and I took off.
Honestly, it felt like the truck was glued to the track and everything was slow motion, since the track is much wider than a lane on the freeway.
How, exactly, do you get track experience without being a novice at one point?
You have to start somewhere.
My boss a few years ago did the one at Charlotte, like you did. He said it was the greatest thrill of his life. He had the pictures of him in the driving suit standing next to the car, and him with his helmet on strapped in.
That poor guy had to have had a heart attack or something before the car hit the wall. 70 mph in a stock car, that’s barely a love tap with all the safety equipment they have.
}:-)4
RIP.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.