Petite LeMans advice

[TrevorC]

I'm thinking of traveling to Road Atlanta for Petite LeMans this year. I'm looking for advice as to best hotels to use, which ticket packages are best value, best locations at the track, things to be sure to check out in the course of the weekend, etc... Any advice, suggestions, experiences much appreciated.

Trevor
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

[thebear]

Start HERE . I haven't updated it in a while and I am sure that the Motel prices have gone up. It is of course written for Marshals atttending from outside the US but the track map and other information is useful. HERE is one place to search for a motel.

HERE is the track's website with more of the information you seek.

In any instance, make your reservations directly with the hotel/motel as the Central Reservations for the various hotels/motels are not always up to date about race weekends. You best make haste as I am sure that there is NOT much left in motel rooms at this time. Many of the smaller motels are about 30-40 minutes from the track (only on race days).

[skycafe]

My understanding is that people are finding lodging booked up already, so a big crowd is anticipated. Apparently interested in the Porsche RS Spyder....

Atlanta proper is not a horrible distance away if you have to look there. Slightly more then an hour road time (not at finish of race.....).

robert

[thebear]

Originally Posted by skycafe

Atlanta proper is not a horrible distance away if you have to look there. Slightly more then an hour road time (not at finish of race.....).
robert

Provided you are in the NE section of town. If not, easy access to I-285 (Atlanta's version of Paris' Periferique) is necessary. The airport is on the SW side of town but the lodging in the immediate vicinity might prove handy for a morning flight home.

[gsmith2424]

If you are looking to stay close to the track and not pay much try out the Motel 6 in Gainesville.(Still available) Rooms are under $50 and is within 10 minutes of the track. Also if you have a rental car get a parking pass for the track well worth the money that you pay for it. Tickets would just depend on when you show up though. They have 4, 2, and 1 day tickets. A good viewing area is at turn 10 banks are setup in steps and gives some very good views. But if you are really wanting to get a good view go the rest rooms at the esses and go straight back through the woods. This spot will give you a good view of the esses and turn 5.

[BSchneiderFan]

Should we be watching for one of the Dyson cars, gsmith2424?

[gsmith2424]

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

Should we be watching for one of the Dyson cars, gsmith2424?

Yeah but for no particular reason though. I have pulled for Dyson since they have raced the MK IIIA. But the thing is I never got to see it race in person since the first race I went to was the 03 PLM.

[Spyder_Monkey]

Of course, you could always camp out at the track. There's nothing quite like being woken up by the morning warmup

I would recommend walking around the entire track. There's really not a bad place to watch from. Don't forget to stop at Turn 6. You're about 20-25 feet from the cars, with no fence. It feels like you could shake hands with the drivers from there.

[skycafe]

Agree on camping, and walking around the track. Also, the shuttle service is nice instead of walking down, then UP the hills

I don't think there is a bad viewing spot at Road Atlanta. All of the elevation changes make for an interesting circuit.

robert

[Garrett]

I have been going to PLM since 2001 when the bad a** M3 GTRs were there. I would recommend camping at the track. Last year was my first camping experience beause every other year I stayed home and went on race day because it is only a 30 minute drive from my house to Road Atlanta. Make sure you are at the spectator hill in front of turn 4 and 5 during sunset!! Good Luck!