BEAVER BOROUGH— From taking notes to turning laps, Pat Funovits realized a dream recently.

Funovits, 62, of Butler was one of three individuals taking part in the first Pro Driver Experience at BeaveRun Motorsports Complex.

The event ran from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18. During that time, Funovits was transformed from a curious racing onlooker to a race car driver.

"If NASCAR is on television, I'll watch it. But I can't say I'm a big racing fan,"she admitted. "The thought of getting behind the wheel of one of those cars going around a track has always intrigued me."

Funovits' husband, Rich, bought her the Pro Driver Experience as a birthday president.

"It was quite an experience,"she said.

Funovits is good friends with Dennis Baglier of Butler and his family. Baglier has competed in Sports Car Club of America and Motorola Cup events and told Funovits of the upcoming Pro Driver Experience at BeaveRun.

The day began in a classroom setting, where Funovits and her fellow classmates, men in their 30s and 40s, received orientation on driving the cars and understanding the track.

Each had a private instructor on the track.

"Mine was extremely patient,"Funovits said, laughing. "He is a retired state policeman."

Her instructor drove Funovits around the 1.6-mile track for a couple of laps to familiarize her with the course. Eventually, she drove the car around randomly placed cones as an exercise.

With her instructor in the passenger seat, she eventually drove around the track for several laps.

After more classroom work, she returned behind the wheel, alone in the car, following her instructor's lead car around the track.

"We learned some visual clues, such as hemlocks and guard rails, to know where we were on the track,"Funovits said. "There were auditory clues, like the sound of brakes, along with getting a feel for the steering wheel."

By mid-afternoon, Funovits donned a racing suit and helmet and competed against the other two students in an race.

"I pretty much maintained my position and comfort level on the track,"she admitted. "There was a little stretch of straightaway there that I went over 100 mph."

BeaveRun publicist Tom McIntyre said Funovits "was very enthusiastic. She was on the track for close to two hours and was into it the entire time."

Funovits is a retired teacher, having taught sixth grade in the Shaler School District for 35 years.

"I've done a lot of driving in my lifetime, but nothing like this," she said. "I was on such a high, racing around that track, but my upper body was sore and I was awfully tired afterward.

"I've always respected the physical condition race drivers must be in. I have a true appreciation of it now."

As part of the Pro Driver Experience, Funovits will receive a DVDof her hot laps in the mail.

"I can't wait," she said. "I experienced the thrill. Now I want to watch it."