Over the years, technology and the growth of the media have narrowed the gap between spectators and participants in professional sports. Sometimes, though, something comes along that puts even the most modern standards to the test.

At a faster rate than ever, auto racing fans of varying ages and gender are shelling out anywhere from $75 to $3000 to experience -- for just minutes -- what National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) drivers do for a living. A nice living, at that.

There are currently an estimated 75 amateur racing schools across the United States, about 20 of which specialize in NASCAR-type thrills, according to Robert Prevost of Interactive Motorsports Entertainment. Those schools attract roughly 100,000 hardcore fans a year to any number of legendary speedways. For 10-15 minutes at a time, visitors pay good money to flirt with speeds of up to 160 mph, while behind the wheel of their vehicle.

Stock car racing fanatics are literally willing to risk their well-being and possibly even their lives to reach the fast pace and thrills, which have made NASCAR a $2 billion a year industry. Fans are so eager for a taste of the action, most essentially will sign off their lives as they rifle through the extensive release forms provided by many of these tracks.

USA Today writer Laura Bly, who braved the Richard Petty Driving Experience, offered the following excerpt from Petty's 19-point release form: "I will be driving and/or riding in a race car at a high rate of speed on a race track, which is a dangerous thing to do. I understand that I can be injured or killed, even if I do everything as I was instructed to do."

Oh, all right then, where do I sign? Me, I'll stick with the go-karts at the nearest Family Fun Center for my interactive racing thrills. Low speeds, lots of laughs and plenty of tank tag to break up the routine.

But, it's quite apparent that my tastes and total lack of courage are not representative of a large segment of the population. These amateur racing schools are the newest craze, and despite the perceived safety risks, they're reportedly very safe.

In my examination of race school reviews, one common denominator is their seemingly high regard for proper instruction and preparation before allowing amateurs to get behind the wheel. Despite the fact that many of the schools last only one day, actual track time is preceded by full mornings in the classroom, learning everything from driving techniques and car control physics to the dynamics of steering and an explanation of the correct racing line around the track. Following that, amateurs are assigned to ride along with an expert instructor to get a feel for how to handle the various aspects of the particular track.

Finally, it's time to strap yourself in for what has become the bungy jump of the auto-racing world.

Prices and speeds at these schools are generally similar, but individual driver experiences vary according to the school and drivers' willingness to fly by the seat of their pants. For example, some schools allow passing, while many do not. In addition, some require the driver to follow a pace-setting car, and others put an instructor in the passenger seat or relay advice via a two-way radio.

Upon reading others' accounts of their various high-performance driving experiences, one word comes up repeatedly: thrill. From the time you grab your helmet and gloves to well after you race around the track, don't expect your heart rate and your body temperature to maintain at low and stable levels.

The following are samples of some of the more popular tracks around the country:

The Richard Petty Driving Experience attracts about 100,000 visitors a year, with programs in 15 locations, from Las Vegas to Nazareth, Pa.

The California Racing Experience handles about 8,500 drivers a year at Fontana's California Speedway, a two-mile oval that opened near Los Angeles two years ago.

DriveTech Racing School sells lessons at short tracks, super speedways and road courses in Colorado Springs, Colo., Phoenix and locations in California.

FinishLine Racing School is located just outside Daytona Beach, Fla., the birthplace of stock car racing. It offers courses at short oval tracks in Lakeland, Fla., St. Augustine, Fla., Martinsville, Va., and Atlanta.

SpeedTech Racing School is located in North Carolina, the heart of modern-day stock car racing. This school offers courses at North Carolina Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Myrtle Beach Speedway.

Track Time Driving School is located in Michigan, offering courses on the high banks of Michigan Speedway.

The Stock Car Racing Experience is located in Pennsylvania, offering courses on Pocono International Raceway's 2.5 mile tri-oval.