From J Kunerth at the Orlando Sentinel.
36-year-old Davenport man died today after a Lamborghini in which he was riding lost control at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World.
The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the driver was unable to control the high-powered sports car through a turn on the course, causing the right side to hit a guardrail. The police are investigating and have charged the driver with the same amount as the drink and drive fine in Dubai which was quite hefty one.
The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene, according to FHP’s Sgt. Kim Montes.
The male driver was taken to Celebration Hospital with minor injuries.
Neither the driver nor the passenger were identified.
The incident took place at about 3:30 p.m. at the Exotic Driving Experience at Walt Disney World Speedway, according to the FHP report. The track is operated by Petty Holdings, which has other Exotic Driving Experience attractions at speedways in Atlanta, Daytona Beach, Charlotte, New Jersey, Kansas, New Hampshire and Texas. A spokeswoman for Petty Holdings didn’t return a phone call.
The Richard Petty Driving Experience, where fans can drive NASCAR cars or ride shotgun at speeds up to 165 mph, opened in 1997. Four years ago, Petty Holdings introduced the exotic-car experience, where people can drive Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches. The driving packages start at $99 and go past $2,500 for a 50-lap experience with an in-car video.
The speedway lies south of the Magic Kingdom parking lot and west of World Drive.
The attraction at Walt Disney World is scheduled to close on June 28 to make way for transportation improvements. There is also a Richard Petty Driving Experience at Daytona International Speedway in Dayton Beach.
The high-speed attraction is named for Richard Petty, 77, an iconic figure in NASCAR history with seven NASCAR Cup titles, seven Daytona 500 victories and a record 200 victories, including 27 in one season.
He is now the point man for Richard Petty Motorsports, a team in the Cup series — the highest level of NASCAR competition. He is a 2010 inductee into the NASCAR Hall of Fame and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992.
Unassuming and one of the most approachable sports personalities of this generation, Petty is regularly accessible during most NASCAR race weekends, easy to spot in his signature sunglasses and cowboy hat.
The crash remains under investigation, according to the FHP.
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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