A new ride simulation attraction, “Days of Thunder,” is providing N.C. Zoo visitors with extra excitement. And the action ride represents a joint venture between the zoo and another Randolph County undertaking slated to open this summer – the Victory Junction Gang Camp being built by the Petty Family in the Randleman area for terminally ill children. One dollar of the $4 admission price for “Days of Thunder” goes directly to the camp. The zoo’s third simulated ride, previewed Monday for local media, began this week and will continue through Dec. 31. “Days of Thunder” is a 15-minute racing experience which includes a preshow preparing visitors for the simulator adventure and readying them for their fantasy NASCAR ride. The actual 5-minute thrill ride, filmed at Daytona International Speedway, begins with the command of “Start Your Engines” which immediately triggers the sensation of being in a thundering race car as it gets ready for the green flag. One goes through the curves and swerves of high-banked racing and experiences the rub of metal and the taking of the checkered flag. “The sounds of the cars crashing when they hit the wall and the metal grinding is incredibly realistic,” NASCAR driver Kyle Petty told zoo officials. If you were a driver and sat there with your eyes closed during the pit stop sequence, you’d think you were in your car and it was actually happening. The way the seat tilts when they jack the car up and the vibrations you feel when they’re putting the lug nuts on is exactly the way it really feels.” Petty is right – you slant one way and then the other while the car is being jacked up and new tires put on each side. “It’s definitely a fun ride,” NASCAR driver Ricky Rudd said about the ride. “You could certainly compare it to being in a race car.” N.C. Zoo Director Dr. David Jones told members of the N.C. Zoological Park Council about the ride partnership. “Neighbors of ours, the Pettys, are opening a year-round camp for terminally ill children. They’re great supporters of the zoo. … This will appeal to the NASCAR crowd.” Previous simulated rides at the zoo have had wilderness and ocean themes. The new ride is located where the previous one, “The Deep Sea,” was situated – inside the North American entrance at the tram stop. “Days of Thunder,” an Iwerks TurboRide, is located in a mobile theater in two 28-foot-by-8-foot tractor-trailers that fit together. The theater comes equipped with nine two-seat motion bases (totaling 18 seats) that move individually on a computerized three-axis system that allows infinite maneuverability. The system also includes a high-definition video projection system and a six-channel digital surround-sound system to complete the overall experience. Cost of the simulation attraction is $4 per person which is in addition to zoo admission. The zoo will donate $1 of each admission to Victory Junction Gang Camp which was co-founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of her son, Adam. The camp is part of the national Paul Newman Hole-in-the-Wall Camps. The zoo expects proceeds to generate as much as $75,000 to $100,000 for the camp.(Courier-Tribune News)(3-2-2004)
