Rusty Wallace Racing Experience Reviews 1,945

My daughters bought this for my husband for Christmas. It was initially $199. When I went on line to complete the order and register for a date, it cost another $154. Then when my husband went, they charged him an additional $60. For a grand total of over $412 for 10 laps and a ride along.
I DO believe we were ripped off!
There were tons of people, we waited over an hour in the blazing sun and there was not so much as a concession stand to purchase a bottle of water.
The track at Riverhead Raceway is far too small to go any more than 30 or 35 miles per hour for a novice.
Total scam, extremely disappointing. Don't waste your money, they'll only charge you double when you get there.
I felt so terrible, I never even told the kids.

It took a year to finally drive as the first schedule was rained out. We bought the Qualifier package (6 self drive laps) through Groupon, and when we got there, we were able to purchase the ride along (3 laps w/professional) at a discounted price. This was recommended in the "driver meeting", and rightfully so. It helps to understand the car, where to drive on the track, when to shift etc.... before spending all your laps trying to figure it out. But then it was enticing to purchase 3 EXTRA laps at 40% off, so we did. My husband ended up spending too much, I think, and then the extra 3 laps were shorted. We got the GoPro (also highly RECOMMENDED) and it confirmed the 9 laps he was supposed to drive ended up being short by 2. The first lap which shouldn't count until you get to the start/finish line and the last lap were cut short. He didn't hear any conversation while racing except the words "your done".... It was $50 for a picture plaque. And of course we wouldn't have purchased all these extras if we didn't think it was an exciting experience, maybe even for a lifetime, but I think that's why he was so disappointed at being shorted what he paid for. Especially knowing the cars that the consumers drive go much slower than the cars you ride in with the professionals. (understandably so, but was not anticipated) The people were cordial, the drivers meeting instructor was accurate and friendly, but then it felt like it became an on-your-own assembly line. Guessing at what to do next, get your gear, what line to stand in, where the non-racers were to wait, sit, etc... We would probably do this again, but with a lot more knowledge of what's worth purchasing. Oh, and if done during the spring/summer hours ALWAYS opt for the EARLIEST time frame! We did the 10 am and it was just starting to get unberable in the driving suits.

My friend Carl Irving and I decided to try the Rusty Wallace Experience at MIS. I've decided to write this letter directly to you first instead of making less than stellar reviews on social media.

- Art did a fine job at the orientation. He explained everything that was to happen very clearly. Safety was his priority. He also reiterated that we would probably be reaching speeds of 155 mph or so, this is a speed we had heard from previous RWE testimonials as well. Sounds good.

- All the driving equipment was good, suits, helmets etc...The person there helping was great.

- I was put in the #8 Budweiser car. They were putting people in the cars quite quickly trying to get as many rides in before the rain came I was told. The person handling this stood next to me and said "you should fit". I didn't quite understand until I got in the car. I'm 6'1" 225 lbs. The steering wheel was rubbing my belly, I actually had to suck it in to get the steering wheel on. My knees were almost completely bent on the pedals. Obviously very cramped. I'm not really picky, I understand that they can't make a car for everyone but this was way too tight. My buddy Carl is as big as me and he had plenty of room in his car.
I've been driving a stick for 45 years and the shifter was so loose in this car I could barely get it through the gears after I took off. Between the loose shifter and clutch not disengaging all the way it was pretty difficult. I was surprised at the poor condition of the car. I didn't expect fully sorted out and perfect but really?
After a lap I decided to carry some speed on the front stretch, I was pretty amazed I hit the rev limiter almost immediately! It's a big track but I still knew I wasn't going that fast. Upon checking our GPS that we had been recording after the run we saw that we topped out at 120! Very disappointing! Did they forget to change the rev limit for this track!? This was the biggest bummer for us, not as advertised.
While trying to exit the vehicle the helper reached in but could not get the steering wheel off. I then tried it with no luck, the release would work, you could get it an inch or so up the splines then it would stop. After a while of us both trying I finally wiggled it loose and it hit me in the mouth (since it was only a couple of inches away). Gave me a fat lip and cut on the inside. Sore jaw too. Maybe try a little oil? Maybe file the splines if they have some burrs from 10,000 uses? Not too happy with the car.

- I was told by Art that the spotter would be "in my ear" quite a bit with direction. He was not. He told me to move to the starting cones, and when to drive from pit lane. He never told me when to move into the raceline on the back stretch so as I was approaching turn 3 I made the decision to move up into the line slowly myself. A little scary since you can't see what's coming. He never said anything. I almost pulled into pit road after a few laps so see if my ear buds were still working because I hadn't heard from him. I did not hear from him until lap 8 when he said "lap 8". At lap 10 he told me to bring the car in. That was all I heard.

All in all, not as professional as I had expected and I actually didn't have super high expectations. I realize putting something like this together is not easy but the top speed is a basic feature one would expect.

Sincerely,

Geff Brohl.

7I bought this as a surprise gift to my husband. He always is there for anyone that needs anything and there is a few people that tend to take advantage of him and stress him out but he always help them again when they call. He ABSOLUTELY loved this experience and it put such a smile on his face i hadn't seen in awhile!!! He constantly is telling everyone what a great time he had and is looking forward to doing it again with more laps and wants to try other cars at other tracks!!! Everyone there was GREAT to work with and we are looking forward to doing this again!!! Thanks to everyone there to putting that great smile on my husband's face and letting him have such a GREAT experience!!! Looking forward the to seeing u all again!!
Sincerely
Mrs Jeff Lender

I was so excited to get to drive the car. My wife had bought me the experience Christmas in 2017. It got rained out in 2018 so I had to wait till the next year 2019. I paid extra so I could get the ride along, the plaque, and the video package. The ride along was freaking awesome!!! The driving part was good, but could have been better. I had a slow person in front of me and my spotter didn't get me around him. I should of pulled into the pits to make sure the radio was working but I didn't. So I blame myself. Now the picture they took cut my head off, and the video didn't work. I guess who set it up thought it was off and hit it again "looking at the video that I got". The lady at the track said I would get a refund for the picture and the video, but I still have seen nothing. It was a real bummer, you send all this money and have nothing to show off your experience. I would probably do it again, but I would think twice about the Rusty Wallace.

I loved my ride along. It was very helpful. The people were great and the only complaint is my photo was bad!! Lol

I just wanted to say thank you to the Rusty Wallace team for a once in a lifetime experience. My overall experience was very positive but the registration process seemed a little unorganized and understaffed and the driver meeting was rushed. I understood the need to turn over students as quickly as possible to make sure everyone gets their turn on the track but the rapid fire information in the driver meeting felt like drinking from a fire hose. Our instructor did a great job of explaining everything but he needed to slow down just a little and give the students time to absorb the information. This was a 60th birthday present to my self. I do plan on returning for my 65th.

I thought the ride along was a waste of money. Was expecting some guidance or instruction from the “professional” and did not get one word besides “hello”. Short track experience is also a bust. Was off the accelerator more that on it. Won’t do it again at these prices. Not even sure I got my full 10 laps. Was over, literally, in 5 minutes. Maybe an experience on a real speedway would offer more fun and excitement. Shared these feelings in an email directly to the company the next day and got zero response. Guess they’re really not interested in hearing directly from their customers???

The crew running the show was not very organized. Two of the 3 SD cards had no video. Had to be refunded.

Great staff with well maintained equipment. Real life driving experience and an excellent entertainment value.

Truly enjoyed my experience driving both a late model and a modified. My 30 lap experience is one I will not forget.

I look forward to enjoying this experience again at another participating track!

Thanks Mike Fortier

Great time! Thank you for coming to The Oswego Speedway!

Overall the driving experience was really good, the training class was very helpful and informative, the only issue was the check in. I felt it was very understaffed. It would have been nice to have two people checking in the upcoming timeslot, with a third person available to help out those who just finished and are needing pictures, souvenirs, etc. One person for all of this was not enough

It was AWESOME!

My husband had a lot of fun with the ride along and then driving the race car. He said he definitely would do it again.

The crew needs to remember most people are there for the first time, we checked and was told to go over and stand near the track by the chairs...wrong we should have been instructed to go inside building and put on suit and helmet, we were told come at a certain time and it was first come first serve...wrong they started asking people how many laps they purchased and started putting people with more laps first. We paid for video, they put band on our sons wrist that said video.... but the suit covered it up and no one ask so no video, just pick out a shirt and hat and we will throw in a pic, no one took a pic. The lady after us had a video but they couldn't get it to work to review it and she had to tell him after they started out of the pit, I'm supposed to have a video, he stopped and apparently didn't hit the record button. This was a ride-a-long for our disabled child so glad I took pics, the lack of organization puts a damper on the "whole experience", which isn't cheap and I get that part.

Had a great time. Instructor was very helpful and informative. Drive around guys was very personable and I enjoyed the ride along. Car was amazing and fun to drive.