What's it like at Road Atlanta...urgent

[Matech GT1]

Hi all,

We are looking at taking one of the Matech Ford GT1 cars to Road Atlanta for Petit Le Mans at the end of this month. The aim is to showcase the car to the teams and the public to show what the 2011 Matech Ford LMGT will be like.

We've not been before, and so have no idea what the whole set up looks like. If any of you guys have been before, can you write up a description of what its like, and even better send us some photographs of what the paddock and in particular the vendor village looks like as this is where we may have to locate our car. We are busy planning this, and desperately needs a heads up on what to expect, and what it's like. I hear it's up a hill away from the paddock area....how steep, and how long to walk from the paddock to the village etc?

Any photos or private emails to momentum@matech-competition.ch please. Your help on this one is hugely appreciated.

Apologies in advance for cross posting as I'm not sure where's best to write this one.
Thanks all,
Matech GT1

 

[Cobrar]

For starters to get you familarized with the track layout and the vendor village. Hope this helps.

http://www.roadatlanta.com/trackmap.lasso

 

[Matech GT1]

Thanks for the link. I was looking for the more personal feedback though....ie what was it like at the last Petit Le Mans?

 

[fjpikul]

Matech, you need to talk to Kirby Viera. He's an Atlanta resident. I'll give him a call tomorrow and tell him to check in on this thread.

 

[Matech GT1]

Fantastic...thanks for doing this...much appreciated.

Matech

 

[fjpikul]

I talked to Kirby about an hour ago. He had his hands full, but will get on it this evening. He has some good contacts that are very familiar with the track and the facilities. Look for future info.

 

[Kirby Vieira]

Thanks Frank and MJ for the email. I'll email Russ Dalba and Don Clifford tonight and call them tomorrow. They have extensive experience at Road Atlanta and will be able to provide considerable driver insight.

 

[Kirby Vieira]

Sent emails, spoke with Russ and left a voice message with Don. Russ is at a 9/11 Memorial/Benefit near the Canadian Border and will not have email access until Friday, but said he would be delighted to share everything he has learned about the track over the past few years. Russ expects Don will also jump in. You couldn't find 2 better guys to provide a quick study of Road Atlanta and all the detail important to you, and you should be hearing from them by this weekend. Best of luck and safe travels to the Team.

 

[Matech GT1]

Thanks everyone for all your help. But remember, we are taking our car there to show to teams...we will not be competing in the race and so knowledge of the racetrack is no important (this year at least ;-).

Best regards,
Matech

 

[FrankBarba]

Do you have anything in the 150K price range ????

 

[Matech GT1]

No I'm afraid we do not service that part of the market. GT4 cars tend to cost more than that. And we design and manufacture GT3, GT1 and LMGT cars. Sorry to disappoint.

 

[Connor-san]

Did you get the info you were looking for?
From my perspective, I would only make the investment if you can be in the area marked "Main Paddock Area" or "Support Paddock Area" (based on the link that CobraR provided). These are the areas that the teams have their supply/living/transport vehicles. It's restricted access, so you won't get much pedestrian traffic from the likes of people like me! Most of the teams seem to hang out in the Support Paddock Area when they weren't racing. However I don't recall any vendors in this space. There were vendors in the "Hospitality" area, including Michelin, et al.
I wouldn't think you'd want to be in the Vendor Village. It's on top of a hill, and not a quick/easy walk from the Paddock areas; I wouldn't anticipate much traffic from the racing teams. You'd also be surrounded by vendors sellling T-shirts, hats, mugs, and the like. Last year it turned into a muddy mess from the heavy rains.
I got my pass last year through a friend of a friend that works in the Marketing department. She's a junior resource, but I could check with her to see if she knows the right person to talk with, if you need a contact. Feel free to email if I can provide any additional info.
- Connor
sbconnor@bellsouth.net

 

[Matech GT1]

Hi Connor....thanks for writing and helping with the suggestions. We've decided not to take our car, mainly due to the incredibly tight timescales both before and after Atlanta. We will work on something else for the future though.
Thanks again and best regards,
Matech