Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Track Guide

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of visiting a world-renowned race track like Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. The track is located just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, and has been renowned for its challenging layout since it first opened over 50 years ago.

Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta truly stands out as a premier destination for racers and fans across the country and around the world. So, what makes this track so special? This guide is designed to provide an in-depth look at the track and help you prepare for your next visit.

TRACK HISTORY

Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta’s multi-purpose racing facility has been a fixture in the motorsport community since its opening in 1970. Situated on 750 acres in the rolling hills of Northeast Georgia (just an hour outside of Atlanta), the track is one of the most iconic and historic racing venues in North America.

The first race at what was previously known simply as “Road Atlanta” took place on September 13, 1970. Some of the best drivers in the world competed in the inaugural race, including Denis Hulme, Peter Revson, and race winner Tony Dean. Stirling Moss, one of the most iconic names in motorsport history, was the Grand Marshal. A massive crowd of spectators was on hand to watch the most sophisticated race cars of the time compete in the 75-lap event.

Despite its initial success, the track went through some ups and downs over the next few decades. It was sold in 1978 and went through a number of owners in a short period of time, which resulted in a lack of stability. The owners during this period did their best to maintain the track, but without consistent stewardship, the facility was in need of some major upgrades.

It wasn’t until Don Panoz bought Road Atlanta in 1996 that the track really began to take off again. Panoz invested a tremendous amount of time and money into improving the facility. Most notably, he upgraded the track to make it safer for drivers and added some much-needed amenities to enhance the spectator experience.

The investment paid off, and Road Atlanta regained its stature as one of the premier racing facilities in the United States. In 2019, under new ownership, Michelin agreed to become the title sponsor for the track, and it was renamed Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

TRACK LAYOUT AND CHARACTERISTICS

Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta is 2.54 miles long, with 12 turns winding their way through the scenic Georgia countryside. The track provides drivers with a mix of high-speed straights, fast and technical corners, and elevation changes throughout. This variety of challenges makes Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta one of the most exciting venues for drivers of all skill levels.

Some of the more notable sections of the track include:

• The iconic “esses” of turns 3,4 and 5.
• 80-foot drop in elevation from the top of turn 11 to the bottom of turn 12.
• The long and fastback straightaway.

To read more, check out the original article published on Allen Berg Racing Schools.