Orlando area car type stuff...

[rix]

Going to be in the area soon for the usual theme park orientated stuff... In between Mickey and Donald can anyone recommend some PH type stuff to do? Been plenty of times before and know of the old town car shows, and also seen this http://www.exoticdriving.com/ but anyone got any other suggestions??

[Crafty_]

I don't think there is a whole lot of stuff to be honest, take a look here : http://www.flacarshows.com/

[pointedstarman]

When I went a few years ago we found a company that rented out Chevvy Corvettes, old and new. Not too pricey and much fun.

[Old Merc]

Go to the Walt Disney Speedway for a Richard Petty driving experience and drive a full house NASCAR round the oval!!!( www.drivepetty.com )you can also do it at Daytona.This is a must for all PH`s,awesome !!! Then take the family for a meal at the Race Rock Cafe on International Drive,Orlando.Its like a race car museum and memorabilia centre with TV`s showing races,crashes etc and even has Nigel Mansell`s Indy car above the bar,like every thing in the USA its BIG.

[Mattt]

I was told Race Rock shut down?

[rix]

Yeah I remember Rack Rock but pretty sure it closed a few years ago unfortunately. the Richard Petty thing is done at the same place as the new driving experiences as per my link above. Could be tempted with a drive of a 458 but $420 dollars for 6 laps is a bit rich for me! That said the 997 isn't too bad at $170 for the same...

[Crafty_]

Yep, race rock is long gone, it shut years ago and was ripped down 2010/2011. The building on that site is a restaurant/video game place.

I did a search for the sunshine dragstrip over largo/clearwater way and that shut down earlier this year too

[PaulHogan]

Kissimmee Cruise Fri/Sat night - http://myoldtownusa.com/

[Matt Harper]

Define 'soon'...

NASCAR Daytona 500 - Today
NHRA Gatornationals - Gainesville in two weeks from today
WEC/ALMS Mobil 12 Hours of Sebring - Sebring International Raceway - 3 weeks time
IZOD Indycar Grand Prix of St Pete - St Petersburg FL 4 weeks time
Orlando Speedworld - Bithlo FL - weekly drag racing and short-track
New Smyrna Speedway - Short-track weekly
Old Towne Cruise - Kissimmee - every weekend

Nah, not much going on around here.....

[Crafty_]

Matt what happened to the sunshine strip ?

[rix]

Soon as in next sat for two weeks cheers for the ideas!

[Matt Harper]

12 Hours of Sebring. Do not miss it - gates open on Wednesday March 14th, race is on Sat March 17th.
Sebring is about 70 miles due south of Orlando on SR 27.
Don't bring your children, not really suitable for kids.
If you think Le Mans is entertaining, you will really appreciate Sebring.

Gatornats is also spectacular if you like top-fuel drag racing - but it's a more serious affair -less of a party. NHRA is pretty much best in the world, in terms of drivers and equipment - and 300mph is 4 seconds usually impresses even the most race-weary.

Given the choice, pick Sebring, it's a total blast from beginning to end.

[KevF]

Matt,

When is that car show in Celebration? I remember finding out about it a bit too late and getting there on the last few hours of the event last time.
Some tasty cars were lined up on the lake front..

Kev

Edited...Doh! didn't think to google Celebration motor show....


http://celebrationexoticcars.com/2012/

April 12-15 so bit too late for OP...

[Old Merc]

What a shame Race Rock has closed,I wonder why? the cars and stuff on site must have been worth a few million?.It was an amazing place,massive, and they were queuing to get in the day I was there,Mind you that was over ten years ago.Also if you book a drive at the speedway make sure you have a few spare days in hand.I booked a full experience for the day before I flew home,and it !*+"! rained!!!I wonder if there are NASCAR fans flying home today who were at Daytona yesterday??

[Crafty_]

Old Merc said:

What a shame Race Rock has closed,I wonder why? the cars and stuff on site must have been worth a few million?.It was an amazing place,massive, and they were queuing to get in the day I was there,Mind you that was over ten years ago.Also if you book a drive at the speedway make sure you have a few spare days in hand.I booked a full experience for the day before I flew home,and it !*+"! rained!!!I wonder if there are NASCAR fans flying home today who were at Daytona yesterday??

The cars were just old shells, worth relatively little.

As I understand it the owner decided to get out of the restaurant business and sold the site for several million, I think it got sold on a few times between companies but no-one ever developed it, was just left empty until it got torn down.

[Old Merc]

Strange,I would have thought a place like Race Rock was there to stay,especially in Orlando.

I thought I had some old photo`s.

[Old Merc]

[rix]

Going back next week for 3 weeks so a bit more time in the area... Any more stuff going on?

[mattman]

traditonal drive in movie theater about 30mins down the 27 - Silver Moon Cinema - plays double bill of all latest releases - cost $10 entry for 2x adults and 2x kids

Nascar grille on Universal City Walk isn't too bad for food either

As said before, Old Town cruise on a saturday night is best for watching cars, or else a short drive out to Daytona and you can drive along the beach...

[Matt Harper]

http://www.speedworlddragway.com/
One of the most active quarter mile strips in the South East.
Some ridiculously fast street legal cars and bikes in Bracket class racing - RWYB - but no rentals, some of the local hi'billys aren't particularly friendly. Great late-night racing, but don't loiter afterwards.

http://newsmyrnaspeedway.org/
Short-track action most weekends - very red-neck, a lot of fun.

http://cfracingcomplex.com/
Helps if you're Puerto Rican and like souped-up ricers...

http://vspdirtracing.com/
Dirt track, so kinda hokey.