Atlanta / Alpharetta P-Car Visitor Activties ???

Highfield · 07-26-2009, 01:09 PM

It looks as though I will be over in Alpharetta on business 31st August through 7th September (I am in the UK).

I hope to get down to the Atlanta Speedway for the Pep Boys 500 on the 6th before flying back on the 7th.

Is there any P-Car activity or places I should visit on the Saturday (5th) ?

I will have a hire car so can travel a modest distance.

Last time I was over (April 2008) I grabbed a trip to the NHRA Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, so trying to keep the car interest up whilst I am there again.

Maybe in 2010 I should time it for the Petit Le Mans race at Road Atlanta :-)

Any tips on attending the NASCAR race as I haven't been there before, nor indeed to NASCAR, but I do get to watch it Live here in the UK on Sky TV.

Ian.

ruby911 · ruby911's Garage

The first Sunday of the month, there is a nice cruise-in with lots of variety at shopping center in Marietta (20-30 minute ride from Alpharetta) called The Avenues of East Cobb - usually a pretty nice Pcar turnout. It goes from about 7:00 - Noon.

For the NASCAR race, I have been to quite a few, but never one at night (this is the first one). Traffic will be a mess (though it has gotten a lot better over the years), so plan to be in your car a while - more so after the race then before. Get there early and do some sight seeing (people watching) - you will see sorts of things that will entertain you. Take it all in, it is quite a spectacle.

Have fun,
Farrell

82Euro · 07-26-2009, 06:01 PM

Yes you should try for Petit next year. Great event! NASCAR races are quite unique in the fact that the pre-race and post-race people watching is generally more entertaining than the race itself.

The racing is more entertaining in person as well, just as open-wheel racing is on oval tracks as you can watch all 4 corners as opposed to the TV views. Some other sage advice would be to NOT wear something Porsche related to the NASCAR race. There will be someone who will be inebriated and he will more than likely have more friends there than you do. Blend in...

You'll have a blast though.

Highfield · 07-26-2009, 10:26 PM

Good advise - I can blend in :-)

I might check-out Sunday morning and stay down nearer to the airport for Sunday night as I fly back Monday. Take in the cruise-in on the way from Alpharetta down to Atlanta.

Any way of getting to the NASCAR from the airport district - bus / train etc. rather than drive ?

Ian

tomphot · 07-27-2009, 03:55 AM

At the track, you should consider using a scanner - more info here....
http://www.nascar.com/trackpass/about/scanner/?sc_cid=hp35

Let us know if you going to go to the Avenues cruise in - it starts and ends early so it shouldn't get in the way of your other activities that day.

Highfield · 07-27-2009, 10:26 PM

I found the Marietta post here on Pelican and subscribed.

Good idea re: the scanner - hopefully you can rent one for the day at the track.

Anyone local know if I can get a shuttle bus (save me driving and I can return the rental car a day early) or the like from the airport region to the track - not sure how far south of the center it is.

Ian