Passenger dies at Richard Petty driving experience (Update)

UPDATE "The entire Petty family, and everyone associated with Petty, is deeply saddened by the passing of Gary Terry yesterday. Our prayers go out to his family and everyone affected by this tragedy. We are all thinking about the family and friends of Gary and all the employees of the Exotic Driving Experience." Richard Petty

04/13/15 A 36-year-old Davenport man died [Sunday] after a Lamborghini in which he was riding lost control at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver failed to maneuver the high-powered sports car through one of the course's curves, and the vehicle's right side struck a guardrail.

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 3:30pm 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.

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 crash remains under investigation, according to the FHP. Examiner