The Need for Speed

Take one high-performance NASCAR, one professional racing school that’s taught the best, then mix in one of Mimi’s fearless personal assistants. Find out what happened when Ann-Marie LaPorta enrolled in the SpeedTech Auto Racing School course under the guidance of racing expert Randy Baker—and then hit the track at more than 150 mph.

By: Ann-Marie LaPorta
Date: 06/03/2008
Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

Believe me, my experience at SpeedTech Auto Racing School took my breath away—and then some.

As I buckled up, I tried to imagine what it was going to be like to drive a high-performance professional race car—without restrictions. Nothing could have prepared me for the sensation of my foot hitting the gas pedal for the first time. Well, nothing except for Randy Baker. He’s the owner of SpeedTech and he let me know right away what his professional racing school had to offer. “I promise our students a test of skill and stamina,” he assured.

And, boy, did he ever deliver.

Before I could get behind the wheel, I spent Saturday morning, May 31, at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in a preparation class. We were taught about safety, signals, and given driving information. SpeedTech is big on safety. No question went unanswered. Was there fear in anyone’s eyes? Not that I could tell. Most of us were itching to get out on the track because Atlanta had delivered perfect driving weather.

Students from all over the country have come to the school, each for different reasons. “We’ve had students from as far away as Japan,” Randy says. “Most come because this is the fulfillment of a dream. They want to get into the same cars they see every time they watch a NASCAR race. Others are here because they like to drive fast, and some come with a group and treat it as a family bonding experience between grandfather, father and son. But the underlying reason for every person is that this is without question the experience of a lifetime.”

With more than 25 years in the industry, SpeedTech Auto Racing School is one of the oldest racing schools in the country. Randy offers an impressive résumé that includes having competed in the Nextel Cup, NASCAR Busch Series, ARCA, and the SCCA. He has also been responsible for the advanced driver training for Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jeff and Ward Burton, and Joe Nemechek. Randy’s knowledge and experience has been infused into the SpeedTech instruction course from start to finish. The opportunity to learn to drive under his instruction had me in awe.

After morning class, it was time for us to see the cars.

SpeedTech offers 650 HP, V8, all steel body, authentic NASCAR cars with absolutely no engine modifications.

“Our cars come from top contenders and championship race teams,” assures Randy. The car I practiced in once had pole position in Atlanta, which is a fancy way of saying it started first. That’s another thing I learned from Randy—the lingo.

A driving instructor is in the car with you while you learn to navigate the track and follow the marks. Students drive with the instructor between three and five laps to develop a rhythm and feel for the track. There are no two ways about it—these are high performance race cars.

After the break for lunch, it was time to find out how fast we could go. Climbing into the Budweiser Car, I laughingly said “shake and bake” to the pit crew.

Flip the ignition switch, engage the clutch, hit the start, give it some gas and you are out of pit road. The thrill of getting the car into fourth gear and moving onto the track is like no other. Heart pounding? Yes. White knuckles? I’ll never tell.

“This isn’t Driving Miss Daisy. I believe racing should be fast. I believe racing is about passing; that’s why we don’t have a pace car. Set your own pace and we say go for it,” Randy grins. Other cars are on the track with you, but the only competition is yourself and your desire to drive fast.

Finishing my solo laps had me wondering when I could do this again. I had the car close to 6,000 rpm, which is over 150 mph. “Not bad for a girl,” I said as I climbed out of the car. Ron, my driving instructor said, “not bad for anybody.”

SpeedTech offers this experience at Bristol Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Rockingham Motor Speedway, and the Richmond International Speedway—all awesome tracks.

At the end of the day, Randy wanted to know if I thought of driving as a sport. My answer was unequivocally—yes. What I know now is that NASCAR drivers have to concentrate every second of every lap. If you aren’t looking ahead on the track, the car can easily move out of the groove. It can be a split second between a successful run and a mishap.

“What makes us different from other schools is that fact that we have no pace car,” Randy emphasizes. “The total responsibility of driving the car during solo laps is yours.” Though the cars are designed to go left around the track, you still have to drive them. These cars will go as fast as the driver wants to take them.

SpeedTech Auto Racing School is the real deal. Respect the car and the car will give you a good ride. “You can go as fast as you want,” assures Randy. I certainly had my need for speed fulfilled.

SpeedTech Auto Racing Schools can be reached toll free at 1-877-807-7333. Visit them at www.Speedtech500.com to find out more.

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