Richard Petty Raceway

[yfd326]

Richard Petty's Raceway is all but gone. Amazing how fast the track was returned to dirt and grass. I missed my opportunity to go there and I regret it

 

[Goofyernmost]

I remember before it ever got there to begin with. I'm glad it's gone. If it couldn't be used as an actual race track it had no purpose other then yet another cash grab. (and not a big one at that)

 

[sxeensweet]

It was used as an actual racetrack (before Richard Petty experiece existed) in the early years. I saw an Indy car race there in Jan of 1998. It was our "physics" part of our senior year physics trip to WDW. My first trip ever to WDW. I had pictures that sadly I recently lost in the floods here in Louisiana in August when my house flooded. Also lost my fave picture of me with Eeyore at MGM when the characters used to just randomly roam around no lines needed from that same trip.

 

[Goofyernmost]

It was used as an actual racetrack (before Richard Petty experiece existed) in the early years. I saw an Indy car race there in Jan of 1998. It was our "physics" part of our senior year physics trip to WDW. My first trip ever to WDW. I had pictures that sadly I recently lost in the floods here in Louisiana in August when my house flooded. Also lost my fave picture of me with Eeyore at MGM when the characters used to just randomly roam around no lines needed from that same trip.

Yes, I know it was one but, it didn't really work out. Can you imagine the noise echoing through the woods to be heard all over WDW. That was a decision that wasn't well thought out. Also it would have meant sharing a parking lot and that would have been nightmarish as well. As it sat for the last few years, even with the Petty experience, it always just looked like an old abandoned race track.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

One of the daftest additions ever. Good riddance.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

As much of a race fan I am, there was poor planing such as the location of it and when races could be held. I remembered this track having Indy Racing League's first ever race with me seeing it on a television set although it was odd having a Indycar race on January 27th. That racing series after leaving the race track starts it season in March.

The fact the track had to share park with MK was a mistake from the get go and the fact it only could hold races during WDW's offseason was a problem for race teams. The fact Indycar had a race in January, not having another race till March didn't help that new racing series at all trying to keep tv watchers to keep watching the races.

 

[sxeensweet]

As much of a race fan I am, there was poor planing such as the location of it and when races could be held. I remembered this track having Indy Racing League's first ever race with me seeing it on a television set although it was odd having a Indycar race on January 27th. That racing series after leaving the race track starts it season in March.

The fact the track had to share park with MK was a mistake from the get go and the fact it only could hold races during WDW's offseason was a problem for race teams. The fact Indycar had a race in January, not having another race till March didn't help that new racing series at all trying to keep tv watchers to keep watching the races.

I think I that was the exact race I was at. If that was January 27th 1998 (year of that senior physics trip) that was the one. I could of sworn it was the inaugural race our teacher brought us to. I so wish I didn't lose all those photos in the flood of which had the date in some of them at the race.

 

[sxeensweet]

Yes, I know it was one but, it didn't really work out. Can you imagine the noise echoing through the woods to be heard all over WDW. That was a decision that wasn't well thought out. Also it would have meant sharing a parking lot and that would have been nightmarish as well. As it sat for the last few years, even with the Petty experience, it always just looked like an old abandoned race track.

I knew you probably knew that info but was just mentioning it for others that may not remember. I would of been surprised if you didn't know that being you have lots of knowledge of the history of all things at WDW. Lol. But yes poor planning on their part due to noise and parking issues etc. We were there last year when they had started ripping it up and it was quite odd to see being it had been there almost 20 years. But I did understand why it had to go.

 

[GVentola]

Yeah, I never got to go there. Money was holding me back. Sometimes, as a local Disney fan, I want to experience everything WDW and Disney Parks has to offer. And then I think, what's the big deal? Just do what you enjoy and don't worry about seeing every little thing. I was also a bit afraid of getting in a high speed car wreck. I assumed I could put off the race track indefinitely, but now it's gone. Oh, well, I'm not crying about it.

 

[Bandini]

From what I've read, the Indy race noise resulted in Disney comping rooms at the Grand Flo and Poly. I always wonder how these types of schemes come to fruition. I'm sure there were plenty of people in management who voiced their concerns about the noise.

According to Jim Hill, the race track is going to be turned into overflow parking for the MK.

 

[marni1971]

According to Jim Hill, the race track is going to be turned into overflow parking for the MK.

Already happened. The MK lot has grown.

Long term expect the site to be used for infrastructure and transport improvements.

There was nothing like strolling to the TTC on a nice sunny morning with the din of race cars cutting through the air.

 

[ABQ]

Already happened. The MK lot has grown.

Long term expect the site to be used for infrastructure and transport improvements.

There was nothing like strolling to the TTC on a nice sunny morning with the din of race cars cutting through the air.

Martin, though you have made it abundantly clear you were not a fan of the race track, it's not as if one walks to the TTC and hears nothing but blue birds tweeting. No, instead you hear the sound of air brakes on buses, the loud alarm sound as a kneeling bus lowers or raises and the lovely sound of the parking lot trams as well. But yes, you don't hear those wonderful sounds intertwined with high horse power autos with limited exhaust systems.

 

[marni1971]

Martin, though you have made it abundantly clear you were not a fan of the race track, it's not as if one walks to the TTC and hears nothing but blue birds tweeting. No, instead you hear the sound of air brakes on buses, the loud alarm sound as a kneeling bus lowers or raises and the lovely sound of the parking lot trams as well. But yes, you don't hear those wonderful sounds intertwined with high horse power autos with limited exhaust systems.

At the times we walk through Heroes there's just the occasional tram and a whir of an Epcot monorail. Way before the underpass.

We're early birds.

 

[worldfanatic]

On our stay at the Wilderness Lodge, we could often hear the roar of the cars during the daytime.
Didn't exactly fit the theme.