Rusty Wallace Racing Experience- Charlotte Motor Speedway

So, the 5 minutes of the ride along was good, but everything else was horrible. Scheduled for 2:30 on Friday. Wound up staying for 2.5 hours and watched a total of 6 people do their ride alongs — still had 20 more numbers to go before they were to get to me. No communication. No leadership. Few signs. The gals in the trailer «headquarters» were nice, but clueless. Got rescheduled for Saturday morning at 9:30 — first timeslot — and told to come early because they could start at 9:00. After 3 more hours of waiting around, I finally got my 5 minutes of fun.
Again, no organization or communication. I wasted a half day of vacation to go stand around while watching the chaos and disorganization. Then I had to return to stand around for another half a day.
Everyone participating was frustrated both days. They do have deals on Groupon etc., and now I know why they have to offer those. I don’t think I’d do it again, no matter how cheap OR even free for that matter! My time is worth more than that. Very disappointed in the way no one seemed to care that we were standing there for hours on end. Spend the extra money and go to a worthwhile organization. Just read the reviews about the RWRE at all the tracks. I think the statistics speak for themselves.

My fella has said he wanted to drive a race car since I met him 22 years ago. Fast forward to his 50^th birthday approaching and I’m thinking of a great gift for him… TO DRIVE A RACE CAR! Boom Bam! The next thing I know the day arrives and we’re heading to the Charlotte Motor speedway. It’s a beautiful day, sunny and crisp– he’s ready and so am I. We drive under that bridge and follow the signs, next thing you know we’re sitting in the Media Center taking a class on how not to crash their expensive racecar and how to successfully walk away unscathed from today’s little adventure. The teacher guy was easy to understand; he made his points and educated us enough to get through the day. We had some laughs, took a trip to the restroom then we head out to get him suited up… it’s really happening! He lines up in the «DRIVERS» line awaiting his turn. Good grief! — the anticipation! His car is ready, he gets in, he sits and grins uncontrollably for pictures they check the car, the tires are good, the speaker is good, the car is rumbling and they say «GO!» And he’s off! Lap after lap of fast adrenaline filled speed with them talking in his ear telling him «Number 5 you’re doing great… Number 5 you’re in your lines, you’re doing great…» His car roars past me and I know he’s having a major life kind of moment, checking a box on his bucket list… and I’m so thrilled to be able to give him this awesome experience.
He pulls into pit row, he gets out and he walks towards me with an exuberance I can tell he rarely gets to feel. We watch the in car video at the registration desk to be sure it works then he takes off the suit. He puts his own hat back on and out of nowhere grabs me and hugs me in the midst of all the people. He thanks me with the pure, untroubled voice of a 10 year old boy. I know he means it, I know he enjoyed it and I know he’ll remember this day :-)
Thanks Rusty Wallace Driving Experience!

I did the «The Shootout» Racing Experience on April 14, 2013. The experience was great and the instructors/​spotter were very knowledgeable. I had a great experience at the track.
However, the customer service (before and after) is terrible. Like the previous review by K.S. states, calls and emails go unanswered and unreturned.
I purchased the video of my experience and was told, in person and writing, that it would be sent in 2 – 3 weeks. After 6 weeks and no video or phone call from RWR, I called was informed it would be another 3 – 4 weeks. This is a poor way to run a business. If I showed up to the racing experience 8 weeks late, I would be turned away. Why should a business be any different?

I just wanted to add to my previous review that I was called the following day and they very kindly apologized for my experience the previous evening and arranged for two ride alongs to make up for it. The gentleman said that it was a very «off» night for them and they had already had a meeting to discuss what went wrong. We’re schedule for July now and are looking forward to it.

DO NOT BOOK AN EVENT. My kids booked me an event as a gift. They day of the event it rained and they never called. Spent the day calling as we drove to Charlotte seeing if the event was still on. Did not get an answer until 5 PM and we were supposed to start at 6. Still trying to rebook, nobody answers the phone, emails are ignored. Will be trying to get my kids money back.