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Hello Race fans, my name is Walt Skibicki and I have worked as a motorsports photographer since 1978.
Although I've been around racing most of my life I never had the opportunity to slip behind the
wheel of a top quality race car before. Recently, that changed as I spent the day at the
"Steve Peles Ride & Drive Experience" at Jennerstown Speedway.
Safety First
The morning began with a short instructional class. Steve Peles himself gave me information on
the car that I would soon be driving. The car was a former All-Pro Series racing chassis from Port City
equipped with a race-prepared engine and all the trim, including a 2000 Monte Carlo body. Steve even
commented that he would like the opportunity to drive this car in a real racing situation on Saturday nights.
The only difference between this car and any other NASCAR Late Model was the passenger seat and
the specially designed headers made to pass in front of the passenger's feet. No rev limiters or other
restrictions had been added to slow the car down artificially.
Steve, his wife Beth, and their daughter brought out the helmets, gloves and flame retardant suits
in a variety of sizes and helped me get suited up. An ambulance was also on duty as an added
precaution. The entire layout was professional and made me feel that safety was their number one
priority.
Let's Go
My first experience inside the car was as Steve's passenger.
Amazingly my six foot three body fit in the passenger side without much trouble! As he drove around
the speedway Steve pointed out the racing line to follow on the track and after five laps we were
headed back into the pits. Now it was my turn to drive!
Ready to set the racing world on fire, I was given ten laps to do my thing. This was a humbling
experience. I now have a great deal more respect for the drivers at our local tracks, even the ones
who are not running at the front of the pack. Once you are the one in control you discover
a whole new perspective. I was the only car on the track and can not imagine what it must be like
to race in a feature with twenty other cars vying for the same narrow piece of racetrack.
Ten laps go by very fast and, whoops, boy that pit lane comes up quick! I got to take an additional
"cool down" lap because I missed pit lane. Good thing I didn't have to make a pit stop.
Now it was time for the two-time NASCAR Northeast Division Champion to show me how it's done.
Steve impressed me with his incredible skill and precision as he took me, as a passenger, around the
track for two full-speed laps. I thought I had been going pretty fast until those two laps showed
me that I still had a lot to learn.
I received an 8 x 10 photo of the car I had driven and a certificate for completing the Experience.
Steve and I then spent time reminiscing about the past. Several years ago I was the track
photographer at Jennerstown so we had a lot of shared memories.
My family was able to watch (and videotape) from the grandstand. After watching the video
that night I really noticed how much faster Steve was than I. It was almost embarrassing.
Overall, if you would like a few hours of racing fun without the expense and hard work of preparing
your own car and are in the Pennsylvania area give them a call at (814) 629-6677. This was
$250 well spent, I highly recommend it!
Author: Walt Skibicki
E-Mail: yodawynona.pa@netzero.net
