Petit Le Mans - ALMS/ILMC - ROAD ATLANTA 9/28-10/1

[fieldodreams79]

Road Atlanta Home Page

Let us know if you are staying at the circuit and where you plan to camp or if you are staying in a hotel, or coming for race day only or the duration, or whatever...

The Turn 4 crew will be in, well turn 4, in a bunch of tents and under a bunch of canopies and a variety of flags; the usual spot, the usual group and the usual flags. Come by for a cold one or just to say hello. It is just about become the "unofficial" 10/10ths gathering as there may be (now) about 6 members camping there.

There has been some work done around the infield to make way for more cars and more camping, most notably clearing and grading around the turns 3/4 "comfort" station and in turn 9 behind the "big hill"; think the Don is expecting a crowd or something.

Looking forward to my 12th or something. Hopefully this will be better than the last two for me, as there have been some hiccups outside of the rain from 09.

[ptclaus98]

Hopefully this will be my first Petit with my own car.

[gregtummer]

I'll be there!

Staying in a nearby motel.

Not sure if I'll be there for Friday or not, but I'll def be there all day Saturday!

[rblanshard]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Hopefully this will be better than the last two for me, as there have been some hiccups outside of the rain from 09.

Hiccups? Do tell.

This will be my first PLM. After attending the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year, I thought it'd be fun if I took my dad to get a taste of what I saw. He and I work together and we have clients based in Atlanta so we're flying out early Friday morning and taking these clients to lunch that afternoon. With any luck, we'll get out to the track around 2 or so and catch some of the qualifying action.

While in France, I met a guy from Atlanta and he'll be camping at the track. I'm not exactly sure where, but once we're there, we'll catch up with him and go from there.

We're staying in Atlanta proper - in the Buckhead area - and will be about an hour away from the track. I'm told I need to be in the general area by 8AM to avoid any major traffic - does that sound about right?

I'm really looking forward to this trip. I love the track and I'm told the views are 10 times better than those at La Sarthe.

[smcorolla]

Haven't missed one yet! Really excited about this one but very worried about the future of this sport to wit I am addicted.

Will have a canopy set up at top of braking zone down into 10a.
Have camped, even slept in my car on those lean years. Prefer hotel, staying in north Atlanta at the Wingate 45 min south.

Will get by to see you guys this time. My canopy is welcome to all.
Will mark green top with 10/10's.

Rick

[smcorolla]

Those who havent been, bring your endurance footwear.
It is one hilly place. I used to take my bike but it is so hilly I was either flying down or pushing up so stopped riding. Expect healthy crowds from friday on. Saturday will be huge.
Race day I try to get there by 7am to get a decent parking spot as it will be so congested it is difficult to drive around the infield during the race. Plan to walk and walk some more.
Carry a light folding bag chair and check out all the fantastic areas.

What a great track.

ENJOY!
Rick

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by smcorolla

It is one hilly place. I used to take my bike but it is so hilly I was either flying down or pushing up so stopped riding.

Bikes going down those hills are great fun, especially at night until you reach the damn speed bumps (sleeping policemen) at the bottom of the hills.

[HJJ]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Bikes going down those hills are great fun, especially at night until you reach the damn speed bumps (sleeping policemen) at the bottom of the hills.

One of the funniest things ever was a couple of guys on roller blades on the roads on the outside of 10A-B at night just flying down the hill and then you heard, "OH $***!!

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

There has been some work done around the infield to make way for more cars and more camping, most notably clearing and grading around the turns 3/4 "comfort" station and in turn 9 behind the "big hill"; think the Don is expecting a crowd or something.

Joe - They bulldozed your campsite. I'm not sure how I will find the ****er at 3am without orienting myself towards the camel gt sign.

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Bikes going down those hills are great fun, especially at night until you reach the damn speed bumps (sleeping policemen) at the bottom of the hills.

Yeah, great fun...

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by rblanshard

Hiccups? Do tell.

Was stuck at the rain soaked track with the stomach flu in 09 and the entire family got the stomach flu Friday before the race last year, which meant I watched the start and the finish of the race on the TV. Did make it to the circuit for a little bit on race day though, but missed most of it.

[HJJ]

I'll be there starting Thursday morning.

[gregtummer]

I'll be there Friday too!

[seanyb505]

I'm thinking about going this year. I just moved to Greenville (about 2 hours away) this summer. I'd like to arrive Saturday (less than ideal I know - did it a few times at Sebring with less than ideal results). What time should I plan on being there to not spend 30 minutes looking for parking?

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

I'm thinking about going this year. I just moved to Greenville (about 2 hours away) this summer. I'd like to arrive Saturday (less than ideal I know - did it a few times at Sebring with less than ideal results). What time should I plan on being there to not spend 30 minutes looking for parking?

I have never arrived later than Thursday, but with my ticket the racetrack provided a statement that if you could not arrive prior to 9am they could not guarantee you will make it in for the start. I recommend getting there very early as the morning of race day is a fantastic time.

[seanyb505]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

I have never arrived later than Thursday, but with my ticket the racetrack provided a statement that if you could not arrive prior to 9am they could not guarantee you will make it in for the start. I recommend getting there very early as the morning of race day is a fantastic time.

That bad huh? Are there any back ways or free parking areas to take advantage of at that time? I know at Sebring I could skip about 20 minutes in lines by turning off early and walking about 1/4 mile.

[HJJ]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

That bad huh? Are there any back ways or free parking areas to take advantage of at that time? I know at Sebring I could skip about 20 minutes in lines by turning off early and walking about 1/4 mile.

I-85 South to Hwy 53 is the only way in/out. The support paddock will be empty on Saturday for the parking of cars. There is usually parking at Lanier Speedway across the street, but that's a heck of a walk for a day of walking, not to mention hauling a cooler, etc. No parking pass required ($40). They just run out space in the infield.

You may want to call the track.

[gregtummer]

They said that Lanier Speedway is about a mile and a half from the track.

There are shuttles that run, but there isn't really a schedule for them.

[seanyb505]

Google maps is showing the two about .2 miles from each other. Can anyone not making $40 dollars by my parking verify? I just backpack; no cooler.

[gregtummer]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

Google maps is showing the two about .2 miles from each other. Can anyone not making $40 dollars by my parking verify? I just backpack; no cooler.

I'm basing my information off of what the Road Atlanta person said to me on the phone.

She said Lanier Speedway is "right across the street" from Road Atlanta, but it is about one and a half miles to turn 6.

Parking there is free and there are shuttles that run, but there is no set schedule.

This is what I was told.

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

Google maps is showing the two about .2 miles from each other. Can anyone not making $40 dollars by my parking verify? I just backpack; no cooler.

Originally Posted by gregtummer

I'm basing my information off of what the Road Atlanta person said to me on the phone.

She said Lanier Speedway is "right across the street" from Road Atlanta, but it is about one and a half miles to turn 6.

Parking there is free and there are shuttles that run, but there is no set schedule.

This is what I was told.

She was correct, they are directly across the street from each other. You can see the speedway from T11 and vice versa. Check out google maps sat view. I just spoke to someone that parked there race day last year morning and took the shuttle in. He said it worked great, but he arrived at 7am. He walked out to his car but he is in pretty good shape. I have walked the long way to the support paddock and it wasn't bad.

[gregtummer]

So where are the crossover bridges at?

One on the front stretch and one at 10a-10b?

Anymore?

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by gregtummer

So where are the crossover bridges at?

One on the front stretch and one at 10a-10b?

Anymore?

There's a walk brigde at "turn" 8 that I've never seen anyone use and that you will not use. There is a tunnel under the braking zone for turns 10a/b that will "by pass" the congestion at vendor village.

The 10a/b bridge is a ROAD/walk bridge from the main entrance to the main infield, where the first thing you will pass is the car corrals as you head towards vendor village. The walk bridge on the front stretch merely connects the support paddock to main paddock, but would be a good place to get over if you are parking at Lanier. It will dump into the garage area before strap on harness, carabiners and ropes to climb the hill out of the main paddock.

[monaro_gto]

I guess I should clean off all the Sebring crap from my camping gear this weekend. I already have a handle of Jack and 60 beers waiting. Just need to pick up some more beer and I will be ready to go! This will be my 6th year at turn 4!

[joeb]

Originally Posted by monaro_gto

I guess I should clean off all the Sebring crap from my camping gear this weekend. I already have a handle of Jack and 60 beers waiting. Just need to pick up some more beer and I will be ready to go! This will be my 6th year at turn 4!

That booze isn't left over from Sebring is it? Oh and there is an unofficial forum rule that if you state you are bringing whiskey to Petit you have to share it with me. I camp by turn 4 too, where should I look to find my whiskey?

[monaro_gto]

Just look for Field. I will be lurking around somewhere.