Frequently Asked Questions
What do you need to drive our cars?
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Possession of a valid state or country driving license
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Two forms of identification including driver license.
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Be in good physical health to drive safely. We do advise against attending if you are pregnant, have any heart condition, or are claustrophobic.
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If participant is aware of disorders or diseases that might affect physical condition for this sporting activity, he or she is required to have a medical letter issued by a doctor.
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Signature of a liability waiver including verification of good physical health to drive race car.
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Signature stating that driver will not use alcohol, controlled substances and/or medicinal products that might compromise reflexes and physical performance while driving.
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Meet minimum age and minimum and maximum weight restrictions.
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Acknowledgement safety equipment and gear checklist required to wear properly as provided by Formula Experiences.
- Acknowledgement of reading all policy related to sales, rain, safety, damage liability, and insurance options.
What is the minimum age to participate ?
The minimum age for driving the is 14 years old Racing School and Gold and Platinum Experiences. For the Intro experience, the minimum age is 21. All ride along passengers must be at least 12 years old.
What is the minimum and maximize weight and height?
Minimum Weight for all cars is 90 lbs or 41 kg
Minimum Height for all cars is 5’0‘’ or 1.5M
Maximum Weight for Prototype cars is 275 lbs or 125 kg
Maximum Height for Prototype cars is 6’ 6’’ or 2.0 M
Is previous racing experience needed?
No, you do not need any previous racing experience in order to participate. m��
Do you accept an international driver license as valid driver license?
Yes, as long as it is currently valid in the country in which it was issued. International Driver’s Licenses issued on the internet without an underlying country’s driver’s license are not acceptable. ��
I do not know how to drive a manual transmission, can I still drive?
Yes, all of our race cars are equipped with a no-clutch paddle shift transmission. This makes shifting very easy. ��
What type of clothing or attire is needed for driving or riding experience?
Formula Experiences will provide you with a driving suit, gloves, shoes, and helmet for driving. For ride alongs, we will provide helmet and gloves and recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and rubber sole shoes. If you are in possession of your own driving gear, you can bring it with you for use (Helmets must be SA2015 rated).��
Is food and drink provided?
Formula Experiences believes in creating a total experience that includes gourmet food and drinks. We will provide an outstanding selection of fresh foods throughout the day. We will cater to any allergies or food requests to ensure our guests are comfortable.
Will I get a personal video of my driving?
Yes, Formula Experiences records your driving and/or ride along sessions. You will receive videos and images as part of the experience package.
Can children attend?
Yes, we welcome children of all ages. However, children under 10 years old must be accompanied by an adult at all times in the garage and paddock areas. VIR is located on a 1000 plus acres of beautiful countryside. Kids 12 years old and older can register for karting. Additionally, our facility has racing simulators they can experience throughout the day and watch movies in our lounge.
Which hotels do you recommend near VIR?
Best options are to stay at VIR lodging on property if not included in your package. VIR has three lodging options. Please click here for details: http://virnow.com/lodging/
How do I get to VIR?
For any Formula Experiences package, we can arrange for car or helicopter service from Raleigh or Danville for an additional fee. VIR is a 90-minute drive from the Raleigh International Airport and a 20-minute drive from the Danville Regional Airport.
How do I make a reservation?
Reservations with Formula Experiences can be made online through our online booking system, by calling us at 919-741-7151, or emailing us a [email protected]. Payment can be made by all major credit cards or wire transfer.
How safe is the experience?
VIR is an FIA and ACCUS certified world class circuit. VIR is designed with safety as a priority, as it hosts many professional racing events throughout the year. VIR has well maintained track surfaces combined with experienced professional corner workers, with a fire and ambulance team on site at all times. All cars are less 2 years old and professionally prepared for each event. Formula Experiences is factory supported by both manufacturers (Radical and Onroak) to ensure highest safety and reliability of cars is always maintained. This means you are driving under the best conditions and in the right hands when it comes to your experience. s����$:
Please explain the coaching and instruction provided?
We want your time with Formula Experiences to be a “once in a lifetime” memory that offers a true racing experience. To do this, we have professional coaches assisting throughout the experience. We start with an "on track" tour, a ride along, car control exercises, simulator experience on the exact course being run, and digital video lap analysis. This will ensure you have a safe and exciting experience within your limits. We want you to be well prepared to enjoy your time on track. We will send you a powerpoint and video briefing 2 weeks before your schedule date so you can learn from a professional driver commentating the ideal lap in our cars.
What is schedule for experience?
Event starts the evening night before and the full next day. Experiences are run on Patriot, South, or North course depending on dates selected.
Below is same schedule.
Evening prior to main driving day
6:00 - 7:30 pm Introductions and Tavern Dinner
7:30 - 9:00 pm Fitting of gear, facility orientation, car control overview, video analysis of lap
9:00 - 10:00 pm Intense Night ride-along
Main Day
7:30 - 8:00 am Light Breakfast
8:00 - 8:30 am Seat Fitting, review driving controls and gauges
8:30 - 9:00 am SUV track tour
9:00 - 10:00 am Simulator Practice
10:00 - 12:00 pm On track driving sessions
12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch and Relax
1:00 - 1:30 pm High speed simulated race ride-along
1:30 - 3:30 pm On track driving sessions
3:30 - 4:30 pm Relax, celebrate, and pictures
What if my car has a mechanical failure?
Should your race car have a mechanical failure, Formula Experiences shall make arrangements for another car to be provided for completion of your experience. n����1$:
What happens if the staff determines that I am not driving safely?
Formula Experiences personnel, at their sole discretion, shall have the right to cancel a participant’s experience at any time during the event if the staff considers the person to be incapable or unwilling to operate the race car in accordance to Formula Experiences instruction and policies. In this instance, there will be no refund whatsoever. and d����$:
What is sales policy regarding booking, rescheduling, and cancellation
All participants will be required to pay a full amount at time the of booking. Payments can made using AMEX, VISA, MasterCard, Paypal, or Wire Transfer.
For Formula Experiences, and Kaizen Autosport racing school, if you cancel greater than 180 days of the experience or racing school date, Kaizen Autosport will provide a full refund. If you cancel between 180 days and greater than 90 days of the experience or racing school date, Kaizen Autosport will provide a 50% refund. If you cancel less than 90 days of the experience date, there will be no refunds issued.
For track days, the cancellation policy is as follows:
If you cancel greater than 90 days of the track event date , Kaizen Autosport will provide a full refund. If you cancel between 90 days and greater than 30 days of the track event date, Kaizen Autosport will provide a 50% refund. If you cancel less than 30 days of the track event date , there will be no refunds issued.
If it is necessary to reschedule your course, please notify Kaizen Autosport immediately. Rescheduling is accepted 90 days prior to an experience date with a 5% fee assessment based on the total cost of your experience. Rescheduling less than 90 days prior to an experience date is on an exception basis only with a 25% fee assessment based on the total cost of your experience.
Kaizen Autosport will not reschedule your event if no prior notice is provided. We consider this to be a "no show" and your entire event fee will be forfeited. We are not responsible for personal or business conflicts, cancelled travel arrangements, medical emergencies, or other unforeseen changes in your plans that prevent you from attending your scheduled event. Exceptions cannot be made for any reason and a refund or alternate date will not be granted if you are a “no show”.
What happens if I show up late my scheduled event?
If on the day of the event, you show up late, you will lose the right to participate in driving events and will only be allowed to ride along. There will be no refunds assessed. p���� $:
What is your rain policy?
Formula Experiences will run scheduled events rain or shine, unless there are heavy downpours or if VIR and Formula Experiences staff closes the track. If the track is deemed unsafe and the event is cancelled, we will reschedule participants within one year to a new date based on availability. Re fu nds w ill n ot be granted if a course cannot be completed due to weather or unforeseeable situations out of the control of Formula Experiences.
What happens if I crash? What is my financial liability? Do you offer Crash Insurance?
Prior to all Kaizen Autosport programs and racecar rentals, participants will be required to sign personal risk & liability waivers, indemnifying Kaizen Autosport and VIR of any injury, loss or damages to their person incurred during the event.
Kaizen Autosport offers a full range of high performance race cars. As in all forms of motor sports, crash damage responsibility is sometimes a reality. All renters must buy crash damage insurance for all programs (experiences, rentals, racing school, arrive and drive)
Crash Damage Protection Policy (see below; coverage differs by by car type)
Radical SR1, Radical SR3, Porsche Cayman, BMW 328i, M235i/240i, Camaro SS, BMW Spec E30, Nissan 350Z
If optional damage protection is elected and $475 is paid by Participant is an agreement by Owner that Participant’s maximum out of pocket expense responsibility for Vehicle and Track Damage would be $9000 deductible.
Porsche Clubsport, BMW M240iR and Ginetta G56 GTA
Crash damage protection is required and is approximately $1200 per day for Porsche Clubsport and $850 per day for BMW and Ginetta. Pricing can change based on fluctuating insurance rates and will be secured 3 days before the event. For these cars, the Participant will purchase insurance directly from Lockton HPDE insurance. Participant’s maximum out of pocket expense responsibility for Vehicle and Track Damage is $15,000 for all cars. The insurance policy must be purchase before the event start time.
Do you offer military/Law enforcement discounts?
Yes, we give all military and law enforcement participants 10% off their purchased experiences.
Are gift certificates available ?
Yes, gift certificates are available for each of the experiences. Please call to purchase. We will send you certificate to be redeem within 1 year (12 months) of purchase. There is NO refund for gift certificates. When you are ready to redeem, call our office with the code and name, we will then confirm a date and package. This makes a wonderful bucket list gift from someone special!
What makes this experience unique and exceptional compared to other driving experiences?
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We are the only Formula and Prototype Experience in the Americas. Our high downforce light weight pure bred race cars
offering a raw intense visceral feel that no street car can offer! -
Experience events are limited to 8-12 Drivers for highly personal experience.
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Experience 2g's cornering and braking in open cockpit.
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Ride Along in high speed simulated race or experience the ultimate night lapping ride along.
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Drive new 2018 F4 & F3 Formula cars. These are serious race cars with incredible cornering and acceleration.
This is the closest experience to a F1 or IndyCar. -
All cars are modern, safe, and less than 2 years old (most are less than 1 year).
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Race cars are equipped with paddle shifters with up to 10,000 RPM screaming engines.
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Driving experiences can all include optional add-ons for full spa services, lodging in 1800 sq. foot Villas trackside, karting, autocross, skeet shooting, seven shooting ranges with ability to shoot fully automated weapons.
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Family friendly with Villa trackside lodging, restaurant, pool, and simulators to play.
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We can offer private VIP and corporate events with access to all VIR facilities. We literally secure track facilities completely
for ultimate privacy and security. Our personal event coordinator will create a custom package that includes driving experiences combined with options for full spa services, gourmet meals, lodging in 1800 sq. foot Villas trackside, karting, autocross,
skeet shooting, seven shooting ranges with ability to shoot fully automated weapons, and tactical training complex for
simulated combat training.