Walter Mitty historic races

tevake · 09:08 AM

I'm heading over to Atlanta this week to meet up with my brother for a three week road trip. We are starting out with a few days at Road Atlanta for the Walter Mitty historic races.
I guess that some here have been to this event before, so would like any recommendations about the event and any other related activities that we should check out.

Thanks for any in suggestions or info you can share.

We will be using his airstream trailer thru out the trip, and will be staying at a nearby park at a lake during the Mitty week end. Are we going to be missing a lot by not staying there over night?
We both have a history of British cars and they are the featured marks for the event. Should be fun!
I'll be away from the computer for a few hrs. but will check back in soon.

Cheers Richard

tevake · 11:09 PM

WOW so no one has been to this event in the past. I have read a bit about it in Classic motorsports, and Hemming's Sports and Exotic mags. Sounds like a cool event. I'm really looking forward to checking out the Can Am cars, et all.

I will be taking my camera and will report back with the low down.

Cheers Richard

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

it does attract a decent amount of nice race cars. i havent been to one in about 5 years, but they are always good. not much else up that way to see.. as far as the track is concerned, watching the races from different corners is like watching 14 different races. they all offer completely different views and perspectives due to the elevation changes. if you think about, bring some bikes, otherwise, youll have to unhook and drive around. way to big to walk..

Heel n Toe · 04-20-2012, 11:23 PM

I've never been, but have always wanted to.

Re taking bikes: if you don't have a way to do that, call the ticket office and ask if golf cart rentals are still available... last time I went to RA, they were everywhere. I think they rented for $40 for the whole weekend.

tevake · 04-20-2012, 11:24 PM

Thanks Rattlsnak for the response, and the tip about bikes. I know that my brother does take one with him, so I'll have to round one up. it will be fun to check out the various vantage points and watch the cars working their way thru different parts of the track. are there shade trees around? Don't know what to expect of the weather and exposure factors. It is a three day deal so we'll get it sorted out as we go.

Can't wait to see/ hear those Can Am beasts thundering around.

Thanks again Richard

tevake · 04-20-2012, 11:51 PM

Heel n tow great lead on the golf carts, thanks. Is there food available at the track?
BBQ per chance. Is there access into the area where the cars are prepped and staged?
This going to be fun. I'm going to be looking out for any one that could use some help with their car.

Cheers Richard

Heel n Toe · 01:19 AM

We always took our own food, but I just went to the RA website http://www.roadatlanta.com/, and it looks like there are about four "concession" areas: Road Atlanta Track Map ...I don't know what they serve.

You will probably have access to the paddock if you get the Superticket. Not sure... you may need to call the ticket office to get details... Events at Road Atlanta

One of my favorite places to spectate is turn 3... make sure you spend a little time there... it's a great spot.

Looks like from the map there are shuttles, but you'd have to ask the info line about how many there are, ease of access, etc.

FAQ: http://www.roadatlanta.com/faqs.lasso

William930t · 06:04 AM

If the weather cooperates, it should be a fantastic event, check out the 10 page entry list:

http://hsrrace.com/2012_Events/3_Mitty_Apr_26_29/Event_Info/Entry_List.pdf

cashflyer · 04-21-2012, 08:58 AM

I've been to the Mitty - probably 6 years ago.

They had car clubs grouped together so you could go look at the Porsche club or the Mercedes club, etc. They had race cars that you could go drool over. They had an autox course set up. Etc. Etc. It feel of the event, IMO, was kind of like part race event and part county fair.

In all, it was fun.

ErVikingo · 04-21-2012, 10:41 AM

Been at it many times and have won races on it too!

Won't be there this year but our camp will have 6 cars (901 Shop).

Nothing going on overnight IMHO except for the Mission Foods Party which is for participants.

tevake · 04-21-2012, 12:39 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I will check out the 901 folks. And reading through the list of entrants just makes me all the more excited.

Cheers Richard

A930Rocket · 04-21-2012, 10:54 PM

For viewing, I always like the outside of turn 1 to see the cars coming down the front straight and going up the hill to turn 2, at the end of the esses above turn 5, turn 7 leading to the back straight and the bridge, where you will see the cars come down the hill off the back straight into 10a and 10b (lots of good passing there) and turn 12 at the bottom of the hill, leading to the front straight.

Vintage Racer · Vintage Racer's Garage

Quote:

....and will be staying at a nearby park at a lake during the Mitty week end. Are we going to be missing a lot by not staying there over night?

Yes.

The only nearby lake is Lake Lanier?

RA gets interesting after the last checkered flag. I'll be staying there from Wednesday to Sunday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

Been at it many times and have won races on it too!

Juan,
When was the last time that you ever lost a race?

1996?

tevake · 04-22-2012, 05:16 PM

Thanks again guys, When my brother heard my reaction about not staying at the track some while back he realized that I would prefer to stay at the track. So after more thought he called and managed to book a spot, he thinks it is near turns 10 and 11. He was told that its where most most of the teams and drivers park. I don't see the spot marked on the map, but am glad we will be able to stick around and take in the whole show:-)
So Juan does a lot of winning ya say. Good on him!
I hope to run into some pelicans there. And will be checking in here from time to time so give a heads up if a get together is on.
If anyone could use a hand shoot me a PM I'll be glad to help out.

Cheers Richard

Vintage Racer · Vintage Racer's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by tevake

...he thinks it is near turns 10 and 11. He was told that its where most most of the teams and drivers park.

It's actually T-10a and T-10b on the bottom northside of the drive-over bridge. T-11 is going uphill and down just barely past the bridge (we don't count it). T-8 and T-9 are not much to look at (except driver's who can get a black flag at T-9).

Now T-12 is maybe the most dangerous turn at RA. It's downhill, fast and no run-off area. There is no room for error here since you could slam into the outside wall, and if you are lucky, you'll just stay there.

Bad luck means that you will bounce back off the tire-wall into racing traffic. This is not where you want to be at The Mitty in heavy traffic conditions.

The bridge also offers viewing of southern women.

tevake · 04-23-2012, 12:36 AM

Good of you to clarify V R. Noticed the lack of a #11 on the map, but wondered if there is a chicane in that part of the track. This is our first time to this track or almost any track for that matter, so all info is very welcome. Today I packed up a folding bike I had here from sailboat cruising days to bring with me. And My Bro has a bike so we will be getting around to watch from all points around the track. Bikes were a good tip from earlier in the thread.

From the sound of it the grids at the Mitty are larger than average, All the better for spectating. Just hope it doesn't lead to excessive carnage. At the one other vintage/ historic race I went to ( Le Mans Classic ) it seemed half of drivers were there for the fun and to savor experience, maybe 1/4 were really going for the win, similar here?

V R will you be racing at this Mitty? If so what car, will keep an eye out for you.

Definitely looking forward to the beauties of the south.

Cheers Richard