It’s officially racing season in Atlanta. The grand re-opening of Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta saw the curtain drop on another exciting summer on the tracks.
Atlanta Motor Speedway is a destination for racing enthusiasts throughout the Southeast. Each and every year it treats crowds to some of the best that circuit racing has to offer, and that’s been the case since its inaugural season in 1970.
Have you been on the fence about attending an event at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta? Well, it’s high time to change that.
Hold on tight all you racing aficionados, legal online sports betting in GA is growing in interest but has to wait for the next legislative session for progress. Additionally, maybe someone can convince the religious groups which blocked the last bill that betting on a car race isn’t so bad?
50 years of moments
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta is nestled on 750 acres just north of the city, a stone’s throw from world-renowned winery and resort Chateau Elan. Previously home to farmland, the 750 acres were purchased in 1969, and the road track was in operation shortly thereafter.
It didn’t take long for racing’s top brass to take notice, and by the 1970s Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (MRRA) was hosting races from some of the sport’s higher levels like Can-Am and Formula 5000.
After changing hands several times over the next couple of decades, the 1990s saw the raceway in jeopardy of closing, as its then-owners filed for bankruptcy.
A group of investors purchased the track, spending the next three years making gradual upgrades and constructing new facilities. MRRA reopened in 1998, with its marquee event, the Petit Le Mans, included on its season slate for the first time.
In 2008 the Petit Le Mans attracted over 110,000 people for the four-day endurance race.
The Petit Le Mans als brings MRRA to the gaming world, as the track struck gold in Xbox’s Forza Motorsport.
An exciting racing season ahead
MRRA has officially kicked off its 2022 racing season. Events with the SCCA, NASA, WERA, and HSR are on the docket this year.
If you’ve yet to attend a race at MRRA, it’s high time you make an appointment on your calendar. From drift car races to historic cars hitting the track, there’s something for every race enthusiast on this season’s slate.
May 6 – 7: Drift Atlanta
For a more contemporary racing dynamic, Drift Atlanta rolls into town on May 6th. Gear up for a couple of days of speed, physics, and well-timed braking. Drift Atlanta has been a staple on the Michelin Raceway Road calendar since 2006.
The cars have recently completed their regular season and MRRA allows them to continue racing after their seasons have concluded.
This year, Drift Atlanta stalwarts Formula DRIFT will be joined by Global Time Attack and GT Celebration. The race is conducted at the Turn 10 complex. Drift Atlanta is a bracket-style format race that begins with 32 drivers and whittles them down until only one remains.
May 27 – 29: WERA Cycle Jam
Two wheels more your thing? Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta has you covered. WERA Motorcycle Racing‘s three-day event will feature its annual Cycle Jam, an event packed with vintage bikes and sprint races.
Sept. 28 – Oct. 1: Motul Petit Le Mans
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta’s marquee event. Motul Petit Le Mans celebrates its 25th year of competition by bringing legendary brands for four days of top-flight racing:
- Lamborghini
- Cadillac
- Corvette
The event culminates with the 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans. But there’s certainly plenty to enjoy while the event is at MRRA. Motul Petit Le Mans’ 25th Anniversary promises to put an exclamation point on MSSA’s spectator season.
What you need to know to go
Did the above races pique your interest? Good — They should have. So how do you find your way to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta? Just hop on I-85 North and head to 5300 Winder Highway. It’s about a 53-mile jaunt to get to one of the South’s best road tracks.
Tickets to all of the upcoming events can be purchased directly from MRRA’s website. Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta is pet friendly, so feel free to bring your pup to take in the races! Parking is also free for the majority of events, with the exception of infield parking.
Being a destination race, The Motul Petit Le Mans attracts fans from across the country. Camping for the event opens at 8:00 am on Tuesday of race week.
Racing is in season
There’s plenty to see and do at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta over the next few months.
From The MITTY, which hearkens back to racing‘s infancy, to Motul Petit Le Mans, which features world-class supercars on MRRA‘s historic track, there’s truly something for every racing fan.
