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2001
NEWS ARCHIVE
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| Speed First Hand...Cale Yarborough's Executive Racing School Makes it Happen! | 
By Rick Anges
U.S.A. International Speedway in Lakeland, Fl. is known for having some of the best racing in the state. From Hooters Pro-Cup to NASCAR Goodys Dash the action is always good. But the thing that high-banked 3/4 mile oval is know for is speed. The long straightaways and wide sweeping banked turns make for great side by side racing, but it has always been the Late-Models that provided some of the best action. The low-slung sleek racing machines are totally built for speed and to get through the turns as quick as possible. Most of us only get to experience the feeling as they go flashing by us on a Saturday night, wondering what it would be like to wheel one of these high- powered machines around, taking it deep into the turns and feeling the rush of acceleration as you nail the pedal and head down the back stretch.
Well now you can.
The Cale Yarborough Executive Driving School based at U.S.A. Speedway gives you the chance to strap yourself in a real Late Model built by Mr. Excitement himself Jimmy Cope and take some laps around the race track that Winston Cup drivers use for practice because of its speed and turns.
I recently had my chance to go and experience the school first hand and it will be something I will long remember. The program I chose was the half-day Spirit of Racing where you get class room instruction, track and car orientation, ten lap ride-along with an experienced racing professional and 15 laps on your own behind the wheel of a real Late Model.
The day started out by fitting you to your racecar. The school has a huge garage where 20 late models are stored. You climb into the car, make sure you can reach the pedals and steering wheel. This is where you get that first feel of adrenaline.
Then its out and onto the track, you are given a ride around the impressive 3/4 mile facility. Shown the preferable line around the track, and where to get on the gas and where to let off. As we made our way around the track I couldn'tt help but remember some the great races I had seen run here. And some hard licks that were taken into the unforgiving concrete walls were also jogged back into my memory as I was preparing to take my own laps.
Once the tour was over it was time to get some class room instructions. We were given instruction on the basics of the car, safety, what we would be doing while on the track and what to do after our rides were completed. The instructor Hal Vickery who I know from many years of competition at DeSoto Speedway was also going to be the flagman/spotter and did a great job.
 The next step was to experience the feeling of going around the racetrack at full speed, for this I climbed into a two seater Late Model with driver Kim Scheffler. As we made our way around the speedway the pace was picked-up with every lap. You could feel the G-forces pushing on you as you were in the turns. I have seen many ride a longs at several racetracks over the years but I did not realize what a thrill it was! The wall really is a lot closer when you are on that side of the car. The checker flag flew after ten laps, thats when I realized I had a solid grip on the roll cage the whole time. This was a whole different feeling riding at full speed around the Lakeland track, watching the grandstands flash by in a blur. I dont think any amusement park in the world has a ride that can compare to it.
After Kims Thrill Ride (I think she pushed it a little harder because I was riding with her.) It was time to buckle in and take the wheel myself. The car was a perfect fit I felt totally comfortable when I was finally strapped in and hooked up to the radio. They do a really good job when they size you up for the car early in the day. As I pulled out onto the track the adrenaline was in full swing. After a warm up lap or two the green dropped and it was time to put the pedal to the metal! It took me about three or four laps to get accustomed to the car and the track. They set the cars up a little tight so they go through the turns a little easier. Every lap I was pushing it a little farther down the straight-aways it was a feeling that is hard to describe. Full throttle down the stretch then on the brakes bringing it down low in the turns then back on the gas to bring it out of the turn.
 Hal Vickery was in the flag stand and Kim Scheffler was driving another late-model in front of me were in communication the whole time making sure I felt comfortable and that everything was alright with the car. Now I know what drivers are talking about when they talk about having someone talking to them during a race, its a good feeling. By about the tenth lap I found a line around the track that was working for me, I could tell be cause I was bouncing off the rev limiter going into the turns and those last few laps I did get a little closer then my allotted three car lengths to the car in front of me.
When the checkered flag flew after my fifteen laps I had garnered a lot more respect for the late model drivers who go a 125 to 200 laps around this or any racetrack. There is a lot work in wheeling one of these cars around and you can see how things happen so fast.
The whole deal was an awesome experience, the staff was excellent and you never felt rushed about anything. Everything was explained in detail and safety was the utmost concern by everyone. This is one experience this writer will long remember.
I would like to extend a special thanks to the people who made this day so great. Margi Nanny, Joe Fredrico, Kim Scheffler, and Hal Vickery you guys do an awesome job. I recommend the Executive Racing School to anyone who wants to experience what its like to feel Speed First Hand.
Rick Anges
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