IBT Goes To The Racetrack
"If You're Not Passing.......You're Not Racing"
-- Kelly Bussey, President, The Racing Experience
Following the success of NEXTEL Cup car ride-alongs at the IBT 55th Anniversary Customer Appreciation Days, IBT has entered into an agreement with The Racing Experience and now is the full-time sponsor of Car #33, one of The Racing Experience's stable of real racing cars driven by real racing fans.
IBT #33 is a 2000 Ford Taurus. As an active racing car, it was sponsored by CITGO and was formerly owned by Roush Racing's NASCAR Nextel Cup team. On the track, it was driven by Jeff Burton in several NEXTEL Cup races.
By NASCAR rules, a NEXTEL car must weigh 3400 pounds without driver and have a 22 gallon capacity fuel cell. The car's wheel base is 110 inches.
The stock block on which the precision assembled motor is based is for a 355 cubic inch displacement engine, with a 10 to 1 compression ratio. It will produce upwards of 850 hp @ 9,000 RPM, with a torque rating of 550 ft/lbs @ 7500 RPM. The engine has a single four barrel carburetor, and is capable of 200 MPH.
All suspensions are custom built, and, generally tuned for a specific track in advance of a race. The front suspension has independent coil springs with upper, lower "A" frames. The rear suspension has trailing arms, coil springs and a panhard bar.
As part of The Racing Experience's fleet, the IBT # 33 car will travel around the US, visiting major NASCAR tracks, as part of their racing school program (see schedule.)
Aspiring drivers will use the cars in training programs that range from three lap high speed ride-alongs to the 80 Lap Ultimate Racing Experience (menu)
When not being run flat out on NASCAR tracks, the IBT # 33 car will be available for public appearances.
The car is also available for an exciting and super-fun event called the "Performance Pit Crew Challenge." During this event, teams use pneumatic impact wrenches, full race safety gear, and simulated drama, like during an actual competitive racing event. They compete against the clock, and each other, to change the two right-side tires and simulate filling the gas tank. The competition winner is based on fewest errors and fastest times.
To find out more about IBT Car #33 and learn how you can make arrangements for its use during an event, contact Gary Hense.
| Track |
September |
October |
November |
| Kansas Speedway |
10, 11, 18 |
14, 15, 16 |
5, 6 |
Talladega Super
Speedway |
12, 13, 14, 15 |
22, 23 |
12, 13 |
| California Speedway |
20, 21, 22 |
|
|
| Darlington Raceway |
|
6, 7 |
|
Atlanta Motor
Speedway |
|
|
15, 16 |
Pick Your Ride
Your personalized excitement from The Racing Experience comes in a range of styles and sizes. You can pick the level of adrenaline you want to experience and go all out for it.
The offerings start at the three laps in the shotgun seat that IBT offers at Customer Appreciation Days events, right up to serious preparation and real race-like conditions, driving yourself at high speeds on NASCAR tracks in Nextel Cup cars. (www.racingexperience.com)
Getting Started: High Speed Ride (3 laps)
An experienced professional racing instructor will take you for the ride of a lifetime. You'll be strapped into the seat of a real Nextel Cup Stock Car and driven around the speedway of your choice. You will experience what it is like to make a real qualifying run, reaching speeds over 175mph on select tracks. 2 sessions daily, 11am & 3:30pm.
Shifting Into First Gear: 10 Lap Racing Experience
It starts with a 30 minute drivers meeting, then it's into a passenger van for a few quick laps around the speedway demonstrating how to bring the car up to speed, the proper racing groove, how to draft and pass other cars on the track and how to safely bring the race car back into the pits. NOW it's your turn behind the wheel of a real Nextel Cup Race Car, driving yourself for 10 laps reaching speeds up to 165mph. Passing is encouraged. 2 sessions daily, 7:30am & 12 noon.
Revving It Up; 20 Lap Racing Experience
You complete all aspects of the 10 lap program and then get feedback (if needed) from your personal instructor before going back out for 10 more heart pounding laps, searching for a better line, better throttle control and quickly reaching your top speed. You may drive 20 laps straight or 2 segments of 10 laps, Passing is encouraged. 2 sessions daily, 7:30am & 12noon.
Pedal to the Metal: 30-50 Lap Racing Experience
You complete all aspects of the 10 & 20 lap programs. Your racing will be conducted in 10,15 or 20 lap segments. After completing 20 laps you are encouraged to draft 3-4 car lengths behind and in front of other cars, from that point you will move into drafting tighter and tighter until you are inches off the bumper at speeds reach 165mph. Aggressive passing 2 times per lap is encouraged. 1 session daily, 7:30am.
Going For It: 60 Lap Advanced Racing Experience
One step below our most aggressive racing package. You will complete all aspects of the 10-50 laps programs with your final segment introducing side-by-side racing & door to door at 165mph! This will definitely get your heart pounding. Experience may vary slightly due to track size. 1 session daily 7:30am.
The Real Deal, and Then Some
80 Lap Ultimate Racing Experience: This is it! And the closest you can get to actual Nextel Cup racing without investing millions. You will complete all of the above racing experiences. Your 7th session will include a 4-6 car pack, door to door and nose to tail. The final session will be a 10 lap, green flag race (optional) reaching speeds of 165mph. Experience availability varies slightly by track size and design. 2 Day Experience, 7:30am start on day 1, 8:30am start on day 2.
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