Road Atlanta - Petit Le Mans.

[Nobby Diesel]

I think some of you lot went to Sebring? Did any of you mention that? I couldn't make it, but think I will going to Atlanta for the Petit.

Is anyone else going?

Has anyone been?

Is it worth the journey?

what's the scoop?

All info gratefully recieved.

[Fax]

Oh Boy! Where do I start? Dave H & I have been going since '99, Matt joining us the past couple of years.  Canada Phil's been a regular as well.  Well worth the trip, terrific event with usually lovely north Georgia autumn weather.  Proably the best spectating venue I've ever been to, Road Atlanta is loved by the drivers, teams and fans alike.  Plenty of camping available at the circut, hotels are plentiful in the area if you don't fancy roughing it.  The circut is located about an hour northeast of Atlanta in the scenic rolling hills near Gainesville.
Fax

[johnevans3]

I went to Road Atlanta several years ago and really enjoyed myself.  It's a beautiful track with rolling hills and curves to make it very interesting.  Like Le Mans, I did a lot of walking to see different parts of the track and it's great for viewing the cars.  It's north of Atlanta, about 40 miles near a place called Braselton just south of Gainsville and not hard to get to from the Interstate Highway 85.  I would love to go back.  In fact, it's probably the next place I will go to see a race after I go to Le Mans this year.

[amazing 1]

I also have been to Petite the last four years and plan to go again this year.

[Nobby Diesel]

Thanks guys - does it get the crowd that Sebring gets and is there a similar atmosphere.
Presumably, the weather is good enough to be outside and party a bit?
What would you recommned in terms of camping or hotels. Would it make sense to stay in Atlanta and go up for the race only, or would a couple of days at the track seem about right.

[jpchenet]

Hoping to do the Petit for the first time this year, but can't confirm for definite.......yet!!!  

[Fax]

The crowd at the Petit is generally a bit smaller than Sebring, usually around 75,000.  It doesn't really attract the hellraiser/spring break factor that Sebring does.  Mostly a racing enthusiast crowd, tends to be much more laid-back, camping in the woods, than the party-till-you-puke Sebring loonies.  There are plenty of support races so if you have the time I'd just stay at the circut as Phil does.  We (Matt, Dave & I) usually stay in Buford or Gainesville, both about twenty minutes from the circut. Atlanta would be a bit of a hike.  Lots of decent hotels in both towns.  The weather is usually lovely, sunny, temps in the upper 70's/low 80's.
Fax

[Kate Shaw]

I attend Petit every year and they draw a good crowd, although it will be much cooler at night than they tell you it will be.  Strict noise curfew (as in Mosport) keeps the atmosphere friendly for people to gather round the camp fire and talk or argue or tell tall tales.  

You can get to and from the track by shuttle that will cost you $130.00 round trip, if you can't or dont' want to drive.  They are very dependable and they don't get lost.  It's a great track for night racing, and walking the paddock at night is not to be missed.  I definitely recommend the Petit.

[amazing 1]

The crowd is good and well behaved nothing like Sebring.But you can still
make it fun by bringing a little Sebring with you.There is usually a groupie
of 6 to a dozen form Turn 10 that make it.If any CA members need any help with tents,sleeping bags,etc.just let me know.

[Chris24]

Its all already been said on here, but RA ia fantastic, the best circuit I have ever been to for charactor and spectator viewing and photography.
Camping is the way to go, but it gets damn cold at night, but it is more than made up for when you wake in the morning to the sound of Panoz race cars, sit up in bed and watch the race without even getting out of your bed or tent. But you do have to be camped in the right spot to do this though.

Can't recommend it enough, but the only down side is the red mud / clay that Road Atlanta is built on. You will still be finding traces of the stuff on your clothes and under your finger nails 6 months later !

[Matt Harper]

Best sportscar race on the calendar - if you want to actually watch a race - and you can get up close and personal - the only debris fencing is where it's absolutely necessary.
Fantastic circuit, good crowd and a lovely atmosphere.
Atlanta is a great party town too.
it's late enough in the year for airfares from UK to be reasonable and as Randy says, you can make this event has laid-back or in-your-face as you like.
R2D2 gets his fall work-out at RA - we take a generous supply of Nigerian to this race and usually have a pretty good night on the piss, directly before the race. Open invite to the lads who came over in March I know it's a slog but it's worth it - not like Sebring - very much better in some ways.
Matt  

[Fax]

As Chris mentioned the only down side is the good old Georgia-Alabama red clay.  For years teams have always had a running joke that you can always tell when a car has been at Road Atlanta, it'll still have the stuff falling out it six months later in the shop.  Don't wear any shoes or clothes you can't afford to have stained a rust red.  I've got a pair of trainers that I save specifically for RA every year.  This is a very small price to pay for spending a race weekend at one of the best damn circuts you'll ever visit.  I've mentioned this a couple of times before but Allan McNish rates Road Atlanta as his favorite circut in the world
Fax