MKadmin
09-06-2007, 11:59
Richard Petty Driving Experience Bringing Safe Driving Program To Walt Disney World Speedway
Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE) is bringing its Safe Driving Program to the Walt Disney World Speedway on Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30.
The program is intended to prevent or reduce highway crashes by high-risk adolescent and young adult participants by measurably improving driver skills, attitudes, knowledge and behavior. In 2006, Richard Petty Driving Experience formed a partnership with Clemson University to provide the educational foundation for this program. Clemson, through its Automotive Safety Research Institute (ASRI), takes a research-based interdisciplinary approach to improving driver safety through the critical human – vehicle – road interface. Clemson’s experience in the areas of highway safety research and education, curriculum development, course delivery and course evaluation enhances the core elements for this program.
The research-based Safe Driving Program, initially designed for high-risk drivers aged 15 to 25, will teach safe driving skills and safety education to participants through on-track experiences by placing students in compromising driving situations in a controlled and safe environment. Professional driving instructors will coach the students through corrective responses during each stage of the safe driving modules.
The program begins with a brief classroom session followed by six (6) behind-the-wheel driving modules. Students will participate in a variety of exercises such as skid control, braking skills, crash avoidance, two-wheels-off, and tailgating/following distance. Other elements of the program will highlight issues such as distracted driving, vehicle maintenance and impaired driving, which are key areas of concern with young drivers.
“Richard Petty Driving Experience has all the tools to make a difference by educating young drivers. We operated over 3,000 event days, ran almost 2 million miles on track last year and have a staff of professional drivers, so we have the knowledge to teach and the infrastructure to take the program to many markets. We want to address the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year-olds in the United States – motor vehicle crashes,” said Kyle Petty, an eight-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series and son of seven-time NASCAR Cup Champion, Richard Petty.
“We are thrilled that the Richard Petty team has chosen the Walt Disney World Speedway as a location for this new program, offering a unique opportunity for our guests, as well as our Cast Members and their families,” said Keith Bradford, vice president, operating participants, Walt Disney World Resort.
The safe driving program, which ranges from $329 to $399 per person, will also be held this year in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago and Los Angeles. Young drivers can reserve their place in the Safe Driving Program by calling 1-800-BE-PETTY.
About Richard Petty Driving Experience
Richard Petty Driving Experience, a motorsports entertainment and automotive services company headquartered in Charlotte NC, produces and facilitates NASCAR-style stock car drive and ride-along experiences, auto manufacturer ride and drive programs, safe driving programs, mobile marketing events and production services to the film industry. The company has permanent facilities in Charlotte, Chicago, Daytona, LasVegas and at Walt Disney World Resort. Richard Petty Driving Experience will operate more than 3,000 event days at over 25 locations nationwide in 2007. For more information, call 1-800-BE-PETTY or visit www.1800bepetty.com.
Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPDE) is bringing its Safe Driving Program to the Walt Disney World Speedway on Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30.
The program is intended to prevent or reduce highway crashes by high-risk adolescent and young adult participants by measurably improving driver skills, attitudes, knowledge and behavior. In 2006, Richard Petty Driving Experience formed a partnership with Clemson University to provide the educational foundation for this program. Clemson, through its Automotive Safety Research Institute (ASRI), takes a research-based interdisciplinary approach to improving driver safety through the critical human – vehicle – road interface. Clemson’s experience in the areas of highway safety research and education, curriculum development, course delivery and course evaluation enhances the core elements for this program.
The research-based Safe Driving Program, initially designed for high-risk drivers aged 15 to 25, will teach safe driving skills and safety education to participants through on-track experiences by placing students in compromising driving situations in a controlled and safe environment. Professional driving instructors will coach the students through corrective responses during each stage of the safe driving modules.
The program begins with a brief classroom session followed by six (6) behind-the-wheel driving modules. Students will participate in a variety of exercises such as skid control, braking skills, crash avoidance, two-wheels-off, and tailgating/following distance. Other elements of the program will highlight issues such as distracted driving, vehicle maintenance and impaired driving, which are key areas of concern with young drivers.
“Richard Petty Driving Experience has all the tools to make a difference by educating young drivers. We operated over 3,000 event days, ran almost 2 million miles on track last year and have a staff of professional drivers, so we have the knowledge to teach and the infrastructure to take the program to many markets. We want to address the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year-olds in the United States – motor vehicle crashes,” said Kyle Petty, an eight-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series and son of seven-time NASCAR Cup Champion, Richard Petty.
“We are thrilled that the Richard Petty team has chosen the Walt Disney World Speedway as a location for this new program, offering a unique opportunity for our guests, as well as our Cast Members and their families,” said Keith Bradford, vice president, operating participants, Walt Disney World Resort.
The safe driving program, which ranges from $329 to $399 per person, will also be held this year in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago and Los Angeles. Young drivers can reserve their place in the Safe Driving Program by calling 1-800-BE-PETTY.
About Richard Petty Driving Experience
Richard Petty Driving Experience, a motorsports entertainment and automotive services company headquartered in Charlotte NC, produces and facilitates NASCAR-style stock car drive and ride-along experiences, auto manufacturer ride and drive programs, safe driving programs, mobile marketing events and production services to the film industry. The company has permanent facilities in Charlotte, Chicago, Daytona, LasVegas and at Walt Disney World Resort. Richard Petty Driving Experience will operate more than 3,000 event days at over 25 locations nationwide in 2007. For more information, call 1-800-BE-PETTY or visit www.1800bepetty.com.