My first visit to Road Atlanta! 

Super convenient location right off the highway. I flew into Charlotte the day before to grab my truck/trailer from my buddy Jason, where I left it after VIR, then drove down to RAtl to meet up with the crew. 

Load-in and check-in was simple and RAtl has big staging area similar to VIR. That’s nice if you show up early.

Road Atlanta reminds me of smaller VIR.. Big elevation, fun (downhill this time) S section, big speed in a couple of spots, and you can’t forget the huge downhill section at turn 11. Very unique and a little puckery the first few times you do it. I liked the track a lot. 

As usual, MVP Track Time put on a good event. Well organized and well-attended by relatively fast, well-mannered drivers. The run groups were split into three groups: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. As a first time attendee, I ran intermediate on day one, but after a couple of sessions, was wishing I had just started in advanced. After ~65 track days, and having driven quite a few ‘new’ tracks, I’ll cast off my conservative lead-in and start advanced at new tracks from now on. 

I managed a 1:37 on Day 1 on two day old R7’s and back to back 1:34.44 / 1:34.30 laps on the second day on new R7’s with the advanced group, in spite of blowing 10A on the last lap (paying to much attention to the white BMW). I ran out of session and clear track before I could get a :33, but my Catalyst optimals were mid 1:32’s during 5 of 6 Day 2 sessions, so there’s certainly more time to chase on my next visit. I had a great time driving and hanging with my buddies Todd G and Luke L in their respective Zl1 1LE’s and Shawn in his TA/2 car. 

Weather on day 1 started cool and damp (50F) but warmed quickly to mid 70’s and sunny. Perfect. Day 2 was a bit dryer and cooler - mid 60's and sunny. We were (again) blessed. 

Driving: No giant pucker moments. I had a ton of fun running there, especially on Day 2 chasing the Camaro boys and trying to stay ahead of a well-driven 458 Challenge and macked-out Fox body Mustang race car. Fast/fun track, good friends, no incidents and perfect weather. Really amazing. #lucky 

Equipment of the day: Day 1 started on 8 session old R7’s. My current thinking is to run Hoosiers all the time (vs PS4S during the first couple of sessions at a new-to=me track). Everything is different with R7’s and it takes too long to recalibrate between tires. The used Hoosiers were perfect for Day 1. I swapped to new 275/315 18” R7’s after Day 1 and ran Day 2 on those tires . Brakes were G-Loc R16. I love the G-Loc feel, but (just like VIR) I had to replace pads after 9 sessions. One way or the other, I’ll be on a full set of AP brakes in 2024.. I’m spending wayyyyy too much time and energy at the track swapping pads every day and a bit. :/

Running mod list: ‘WolfpaqC8’ is a 2022 C8 Corvette Z51 and has magnetic shocks/PTM. Mods from ‘Factory Stock’: Lowered ¾” front and back on Paragon collars, GM-spec track alignment, GM brake ducts (now removed) Girodisc rotors front/rear, G-Loc R16 track pads front/rear and SRF flush. Used, then new for Day 2 Hoosier R7's for this event.

Next stop – Barber Motorsports Park. (and a Park it is!)