Ray Priddey once considered himself an experience driver, but after his Indy Racing Experience on May 24, he now considers himself one of the lucky ones to have piloted an Indy car around the Brickyard.

"The Little Aussie" Drives at Indy
Australian experiences opportunity of a lifetime on May 24 at Indy

Recently Ailsa Priddey of Brisbane, Australia took the time to write Shonda and the Indy Racing Experience crew a wonderful testimony of just what the Indy Racing Experience meant to her husband, Ray. Below is that testimonial:

Shonda, just wanted to say thank you to you, and let your professional team know how Ray "The little Aussie" felt after his ultimate driving experience at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the 24th of May this year.

The anticipation had built up BIG Time, as up until now Ray's track driving experience has been driving a Vintage midget Speedcar built in ’69.  He really felt it would be a "piece of cake" to conquer the Indy track. May I just say here, Ray now has letters after his name I.D. for Indy Driver. He was ready for his big day with our dear friends Karen and Dave.  Ray was unusually quite, but we were ready for this exhilarating memorable experience… his first in an open-wheeler.

As we were directed to where Shonda and her experienced team awaited our expected arrival, Ray was suited up and briefed on fire protection.  "Oh yes, we do that all the time with the Vintage midgets,” Ray thought!  But, Ray was now playing with the BIG Boys!  He quickly found a seat to listen to this very professional briefing.  Ray came away from there having fully realized that THIS was it!

Coming out of the suiting booth with a spring in his step, looking pretty sharp in his fireproof white race suit, royal blue boots and gloves, to where Mike, one of Shonda's professional crew members, would fit Ray with his protective helmet.  He was ready, but the nerves were starting to kick in.

Then Ray's name was called; his lifelong dream was about to be realized.  He had seen and heard so many famous drivers make their mark, starting from DePalma all those years ago to Foyt and so on. And now Ray was about to make his!  Neatly tucked into this full-size Indy car, belted and strapped down, Ray was given the signal to go.  He had the most unbelievable, exhilarating, awesome, memorable, high-speed drive in an open-wheel Indy car to the point that Ray now has more than total respect for drivers that do 800 turns with 32 other cars on the track at one time!  The gravity and g-forces are amazing and his experience will never leave him.  Ray's recommendation to all would be drivers, go do it NOW! It's an experience you'll never forget.

Ray has wonderful memories: the feel of the car at high speed, the smell of the fuel, the atmosphere of the day, to see the track roll out in front of you at such high speed, and then the brilliant photos.  It is a thrill you will never get from sitting and watching the race on the telly.  For myself, Ray's wife, well, Ray was given the checkered flag.  He still hasn't taken the smile off his face and it was worth every cent to see this little Vintage Speedcar driver have his dream come true, driving in and open-wheeler on the Indy track.

You made this little Aussie's dream come true.

Fond wishes,
Ailsa and Ray Priddey (ID)
Brisbane, Australia