Petty Experience Driver Dies

BobbyFord

BobbyFord

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60-year-old crashes, dies at DIS in RPDE car: A 60-year-old Apopka man died after he crashed while driving a Richard Petty Driving Experience car at the Daytona Beach International Speedway, authorities and family members said today. Robert Boswell was taking part in the Richard Petty Driving Experience, a program where fans pay to get behind the wheel of a NASCAR car, said his son, Greg Boswell. The crash occurred about 5 p.m. Sunday, police said. Robert Boswell was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center where he was declared dead at about 7 p.m. An autopsy report released this afternoon showed he died of a heart attack and not from the crash. Chris McKee, director of media relations for the Richard Petty Driving Experience, said Boswell had completed lap three at 125 mph when he slowed to take Turn 1. He began to drive erratically around turn one, jerking at the wheel, said an instructor who was driving ahead of Boswell. He then slumped over and steered the car into the concrete retaining wall on the inside of Turn 2, McKee said. Speedway officials said this was the first Richard Petty Driving Experience death at Daytona. However, McKee said this is the third death of a driver among all participating tracks. The two earlier deaths were later determined to be the result of medical conditions and not mechanical failure, McKee said.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(2-4-2008) Comment here
 
Wow, that's sad. His poor family. It sure must have scared everyone there when it happened.
 
Does anyone know the language of the waiver you sign to get into one of the cars? I'm guessing the famil will wait for the autopsy report before deciding anything. Unless the RPDE goes ahead and settles.
 
I signed my life away when I did a ride-along at Charlotte. Basically, you take full responsibility. Since the autopsy showed heart attack, I would imagine the family hasn't a leg to stand on.
 
TexasRaceLady said:
I signed my life away when I did a ride-along at Charlotte. Basically, you take full responsibility. Since the autopsy showed heart attack, I would imagine the family hasn't a leg to stand on.
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I wonder how much the autopsy findings cost the Petty's..............just kidding.
 
Why they let these people ride around Daytona in the first place?

Am I missing something here? Gee

My condolence and prayers go out to his family. RIP
 
reck, these programs are highly restrictive and are very well run. I did the Ride Along at Charlotte and was able to see what it's like to go faster than any of those who got behind the wheel. They will not let them go very fast...at least compared to what those who are licensed by NASCAR. In fact, at least at Charlotte, they only let two drivers out on the track at a time and must play follow the leader. Absolutely no passing and if they determine that you are going too fast, they will throw the yellow flag at you. If you don't heed, they will throw the red one. Here's one problem with that method...if the guy in front of you is scared and won't go very fast, you are stuck with that. I witnessed a couple of guys who appeared to be scared s***less and didn't get their cars over 100 mph. I felt sorry for those drivers who were stuck behind them.
 
That's so sad that he had a heart attack. I hope his last conscious moments were really good ones.

Several years ago when I was around 60/61 in age I 'drove' one of the NA$CAR simulators at the Mall of America. OMG, how exciting and intense! When the 10 min. 'ride/drive' was over I was amazed at how 'up' I felt and my pulse was over 120. What a rush!!! I to this day have normal to low blood pressure but that day I know it was high when I got out of that ride! I felt really super aware, energetic, and even sort of twitchy/alert and walking felt sort like floating (effortless) for about three hours afterward.

talley/Judy
 
I did that Ride Along to celebrate my 50th birthday --- MrTRL swears that my feet never touched the ground when I got out of the car.

Talk about an adrenaline rush --- Oh, my. *sigh*

I sincerely hope the gentleman felt nothing but happiness. Rest in Peace, sir.
 
TexasRaceLady said:
I did that Ride Along to celebrate my 50th birthday --- MrTRL swears that my feet never touched the ground when I got out of the car.

Talk about an adrenaline rush --- Oh, my. *sigh*

I sincerely hope the gentleman felt nothing but happiness. Rest in Peace, sir.
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Gee TRL I didn't know they had Ride Alongs in Model T's... :eek:


:D
 
I will be taking part of a Ride Along probably in April and probably at Bristol. I could only imagine what that's going to be like. My wife got it for me for my 40th birthday back in October. She was going to get one of the driving classes for me, but I'm not very good at driving a stick and figured I'd have trouble with that. I'm sure I'll be flying high long after it's over, even though the whole thing will last just one minute.
 
MRM said:
I will be taking part of a Ride Along probably in April and probably at Bristol. I could only imagine what that's going to be like. My wife got it for me for my 40th birthday back in October. She was going to get one of the driving classes for me, but I'm not very good at driving a stick and figured I'd have trouble with that. I'm sure I'll be flying high long after it's over, even though the whole thing will last just one minute.
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thats what me dad thought, as i'd never driven a stick.

Then i turn around a week later and drive an unsyncronized reverse pattern 3 speed from a WWII military jeep.
 
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