READY FOR ADVENTURE

NASCAR Racing Experience

From paintball and o -road fun to NASCAR cars and shing for the big one, there are plenty of ways to get your adrenaline pumping this month.

// BY CYNTHIA MCFARLAND

Dads may take center stage this month, but Father’s Day isn’t the only reason to enjoy some manly exploits in Florida’s great outdoors.

Of course, these escapades aren’t restricted to guys only, so all you gals with an adventurous side are encouraged to join in as well. Some outings are even family friendly. Here are a few of our favorites.

PLAY PAINTBALL

If you’re craving fast action, teamwork and an adrenaline rush, round up a few likeminded friends and plan an outing to Wayne’s World of Paintball. Paintball games typically involve two opposing teams that seek to eliminate the other players or accomplish a pre-determined “mission.” Wayne’s World has wooded elds, bunkers and obstacles that heighten the challenge and adventure.

They’ll rent you all the basics—semiautomatic paintball gun, air lls for the day, face mask, goggles and fanny pack to carry extra paintballs. Referees are on hand to enforce safety and game rules.

You’ll need reservations for private parties but not for walk-ons. (Players must be at least 10 years old.) OFF ROADING

Sign on for an o -road adventure in the Ocala National Forest. ATV O -Road Adventure Tours provides the equipment and guides; you just make a reservation, show up and ride.

Options include a single or two-person allterrain vehicle (ATV) or a Ranger, which can hold four people. ATVs are fully automatic, but drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. (Passengers must be at least 10 years old or 42 inches tall.) Everyone should wear pants and closed-toe shoes, and mandatory safety helmets are provided.

After a practice session, your group will hit the trails with a guide. Tours range from one to eight hours, with the two- to three-hour

ATV Off-Road Adventure Tours

tour being one of the most popular. Pace is determined by rider experience.

Terrain in the Ocala National Forest varies greatly, ranging from sandy trails, ponds and lowlands to hills, ridges and woods. All that land is home to a great variety of wildlife, so you may see deer, turkey, raccoons, fox squirrels, even bear, not to mention eagles and hawks.

ATV O -Road Adventure Tours //

atvo roadadventuretours.com // (352) 299-5650

TAKE FLIGHT

Explore the friendly skies in a whole new way—from a vintage WWII-era biplane or Robinson R-44 helicopter. Your perspective of Florida’s scenic landscape will never be the same.

Florida Air Tours takes passengers on memorable flights providing a bird’s eye view of the coastline and classic landmarks.

The open-cockpit Waco biplane carries up to two passengers with side-by-side seating. Options start at a 20-minute tour (12- to 13-minute flight time) up to an hour tour (45- to 50-minute flight time). Add more adrenaline to your flight with an aerobatic upgrade to include some loops and rolls if your stomach can take it!

The helicopter can accommodate up to three passengers. Tours start at a quick fivemile jaunt for three to five minutes of flight on up to the “See It All” tour that ranges about 75 miles and has you in the air for 45 to 50 minutes.

Biplane tours leave from Merritt Island Find and book a charter at shing- orida.com or shingbooker.com.

DRIVE A RACE CAR

If driving a NASCAR race car is on your bucket list, you’re in luck. And you can even accomplish this feat at the famed Daytona International Speedway, home of the Daytona 500.

The NASCAR Racing Experience puts you in the driver’s seat of a real NASCAR race car by yourself. You must have a valid driver’s license to participate, and be aware that you have to climb in

through the car window because there’s no door!

Experiences are priced by timed racing session, which start at ve minutes of track time up to 48 minutes. While driving, you’ll have one-on-one instruction from your spotter. There’s no instructor riding with you, no counting laps and no following a lead car. Yes, you can pass slower cars!

Longer sessions include brief pit stops and the opportunity to drive at faster speeds.

Florida Air Tours

Airport, while helicopters take o from Port Canaveral.

Florida Air Tours // foridaairtours.com // (321) 392-4125

CHARTER SOME FUN

You live in Florida, the “Fishing Capital of the World,” so you might as well go fishing. You don’t even need to own a boat or have any personal knowledge of Florida’s waterways. That’s what charter fishing guides are for.

Choose a shing charter, book your outing and leave it to the pros. Florida has an abundance of charter opportunities, and the guides are wellversed in getting clients to the right spots.

Of course, even the best professional guide can’t guarantee your catch, but he or she can certainly up the odds of a successful outing. On a charter outing, in addition to taking you out on the boat, the guide typically provides rods, reels and bait. If you like, they’ll even clean the fish you catch.

NASCAR Racing Experience //

nascarracingexperience.com // (704) 886-2400