IRL: Fans can Ride in the World's Fastest Race Cars
28 April 1999
Indy Racing Experience Debuts at VisionAire 500By Ron Green
CONCORD, N.C., - Your heart is pounding. Adrenaline is being pumped through your body. The grip on the steering wheel tightens. Are you going too fast? Will you be able to make that turn? Watch out, where's that other car? It's not going to pass you, is it?
This is a normal commute for so many millions of people every morning. But what if you magnified all those sensations more than four times? 225 mph! What does that feel like? Now, you can know.
The Indy Racing Experience, featuring a 12-person motion simulator, makes its debut at Lowe's Motor Speedway during the VisionAire 500 weekend, April 29-May 1. The simulator lets you experience the exhilaration of racing an Indy Racing car at speeds of more than 200 mph from the driver's view. The sprawling Indy Racing Experience also includes a 24-seat theater where race fans will see the Pep Boys Indy Racing league story, including highlights from past races in a full surround-sound, action-packed presentation.
Slowing down a little, race fans also can stroll around the massive sponsor exhibition tent that will feature interactive and entertaining displays. Fans will also get an up-close look at actual Pep Boys Indy Racing League machines.
All of the Indy Racing Experience attractions are free of charge.
"We're excited to be able to offer race fans this opportunity to feel the sensations of Indy-style racing," said John Newcomb, vice president of sales and marketing for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation. "The Indy Racing Experience will be an attraction at every Pep Boys Indy Racing League event after its debut at Lowe's Motor Speedway."
Five years ago, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway introduced its Indy FanFest for Indianapolis 500 spectators. Annual set-up of this interactive motorsports experience exceeds 225,000 square feet. The Indy Racing Experience is an extension of the original FanFest concept.
The Indy Racing Experience will arrive in every race market at least one week before each event of the Pep Boys Indy Racing League. It will be set up and operating at a location within the race market before moving on to the racing facility for the event.
After a four-day run at the Carolina Place Mall, the entire Indy Racing Experience will be moved to Lowe's Motor Speedway and opened April 29 for the first day of practice for the VisionAire 500.
Hours for the Indy Racing Experience at Lowe's Motor Speedway are 3-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 29-30, and 3 p.m. to the start of the VisionAire 500 Saturday night.
VISIONAIRE 500 NOTEBOOK
Schedule: The VisionAire 500 starts at 8 p.m. (EDT) May 1. PPG Pole qualifying starts at 6:15 p..m. April 30. Practice sessions start at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 29, and 3:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. April 30.
***
On the air: The VisionAire 500 will be televised live, starting with a 30-minute prerace show at 7:30 p.m. (EDT) May 1, on SpeedVision. It's the network's first live broadcast of a Pep Boys Indy Racing League race. FOX Sports Net will rebroadcast the race May 6. Check local listings for air time.
SpeedVision will televise PPG Pole qualifying live at 6 p.m. (EDT) April 30.
The Indy Racing Radio Network will broadcast a 30-minute prerace show at 7:30 p.m. (EDT) May 1, followed by the live race broadcast at 8 p.m. The Charlotte-area IRRN affiliate is WSOC-FM, 103.7, Charlotte.
***
Tickets: Tickets are available for the VisionAire 500 on May 1. Call (704) 455-3200 for more information.
Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.