Road Atlanta
Road Atlanta is a 2.540-mile road-racing circuit and motorsports venue near Braselton, Georgia, best known as the home of the Petit Le Mans endurance race.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Road Atlanta is a permanent road-racing circuit located just north of Braselton, Georgia, in the United States. The facility covers a large rural site and is configured as a 2.540-mile, 12-turn circuit characterized by rapid elevation changes, the fast esses between Turns 3 and 5, and the downhill approach to Turn 12. Since its opening in 1970, it has served professional and amateur sports-car racing, motorcycle competition, driver-training programs, corporate events, vehicle testing, cycling events, and motorsports-related hospitality. The circuit was conceived in the late 1960s by David Sloyer, Earl Walker, and Arthur Montgomery, who acquired approximately 750 acres of farmland with the objective of creating a major American road-racing venue. Construction proceeded quickly after organizers selected the unfinished facility as a replacement venue for a Can-Am event affected by flooding elsewhere. The first race took place on September 13, 1970. Tony Dean won the 300-kilometer Can-Am race in a Porsche 908/02, while Vic Elford took pole position in a Chaparral 2J and Stirling Moss served as grand marshal. During its early decades, Road Atlanta hosted a broad range of series, including Can-Am, Formula 5000, IMSA sports-car racing, Trans-Am, motorcycle championships, and Sports Car Club of America competition. The SCCA Runoffs used the circuit from 1970 through 1993. Road Atlanta also hosted the first road race in NASCAR's Busch Grand National Series in 1986, illustrating the venue's unusual combination of club-racing, professional sports-car, motorcycle, and stock-car activity. Ownership changes and financial difficulties affected the facility during the late 1970s and early 1990s. After a bankruptcy in 1993, a partnership led by Frank Drendel, Jim Kanely, Eddie Edwards, George Nuse, and Bill Waddell acquired the circuit and invested in buildings, landscaping, widening, resurfacing, and general infrastructure. Don Panoz purchased Road Atlanta in November 1996 and integrated it into his broader motorsports organization. Under Panoz, the venue received substantial modernization, including changes to the former Dip, a chicane near the end of the back straight, a new infield pit and paddock area, and a terrace seating complex around Turn 10. These modifications helped the circuit meet international standards and support larger events. Road Atlanta's defining modern event is Petit Le Mans, an endurance race first held at the circuit in 1998. The race became an important event in the American Le Mans Series and later the IMSA SportsCar Championship, attracting factory teams and international sports-car competitors. The event remains a central part of the track's identity and annual calendar. The circuit has also hosted MotoAmerica, Trans-Am, SCCA, Formula Drift, GT World Challenge America, Porsche and Mazda one-make series, vintage-racing events, and numerous amateur competitions. Facility improvements have continued over time. The track was repaved before the 2007 Petit Le Mans, with safety and spectator-sightline improvements in the esses. Turns 4 and 12 were reconfigured during the 2007–2008 offseason, particularly to improve safety for motorcycle racing. In 2012, IMSA Holdings purchased Road Atlanta as part of its acquisition of the Panoz Motor Sports Group. Michelin obtained naming rights in 2018, and the venue subsequently became known as Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, although Road Atlanta remains the core geographic and commercial name. Beyond live events, the circuit has an extensive digital presence through racing simulators and video games. It has appeared in titles including Racing Destruction Set, Sports Car GT, Forza Motorsport, Le Mans 24 Hours, iRacing, and Gran Turismo 7. In 2020, the venue also hosted the PNC Atlanta 10 Miler and associated races under pandemic-era event conditions. Road Atlanta continues to operate as a multipurpose motorsports facility serving local, national, and international racing communities.
History
Road Atlanta was developed in the late 1960s on farmland near Braselton, Georgia, by David Sloyer, Earl Walker, and Arthur Montgomery. The founders intended to create a major road-racing venue in the southeastern United States. When a Can-Am event lost its planned venue because of flood damage, organizers selected the developing circuit as a replacement. Construction was completed rapidly, with excavation, grading, and paving taking approximately six months. The first event took place on September 13, 1970. Tony Dean won the 300-kilometer Can-Am race in a Porsche 908/02, with Vic Elford claiming pole position in a Chaparral 2J and Stirling Moss serving as grand marshal. Road Atlanta quickly established itself as a flexible road course. Throughout the 1970s it hosted Can-Am, Formula 5000, IMSA Camel GT, Trans-Am, motorcycle racing, and SCCA competition. The SCCA Runoffs were held there from 1970 through 1993, and the circuit hosted the first road race in NASCAR's Busch Grand National Series in 1986. The venue changed hands several times after its establishment. It ultimately entered bankruptcy in 1993 under owners Don and Bill Whittington. A partnership composed of Frank Drendel, Jim Kanely, Eddie Edwards, George Nuse, and Bill Waddell then acquired the property. Over the next three years, the group invested in new and renovated buildings, track resurfacing and widening, landscaping, and other improvements intended to restore the facility's viability. Don Panoz purchased Road Atlanta in November 1996 and used the Braselton area as a center for his motorsports activities. His ownership produced the first major redesign of the circuit. The former Dip was removed, a chicane was added near the end of the long back straight, and an infield pit and paddock complex was constructed. A terrace seating area around the Turn 10 complex added approximately 10,000 spectator seats. The changes improved the venue's ability to host larger and internationally recognized competitions. In 1998, Road Atlanta became the home of Petit Le Mans, an endurance race created as a major international sports-car event. The inaugural running included Porsche's factory team and became the first event in the American Le Mans Series. Petit Le Mans developed into the facility's signature race and continued annually, later becoming part of the IMSA SportsCar Championship structure. The event has also been associated with several dramatic high-speed accidents, highlighting both the circuit's demanding character and the continuing importance of safety engineering. The circuit was repaved before the 2007 Petit Le Mans. The work also moved barriers away from the esses and improved spectator sightlines. During the winter of 2007–2008, Turns 4 and 12 were modified with motorcycle safety in mind, while the principal car racing line remained broadly similar. Road Atlanta has also supported non-motorsport activities, including the 2008 Tour de Georgia cycling stage. Cycling events generally use the circuit in reverse, counterclockwise, to avoid the safety problems associated with the downhill approach from Turn 11 to Turn 12. IMSA Holdings acquired Road Atlanta in September 2012 as part of its purchase of the Panoz Motor Sports Group. The change aligned the circuit more closely with the organization responsible for major North American sports-car racing. The venue has subsequently maintained a broad calendar including IMSA, MotoAmerica, Trans-Am, SCCA, GT World Challenge, Formula Drift, historic racing, manufacturer programs, and endurance events. In 2018, Michelin obtained naming rights, and the facility became Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Road Atlanta has also been reproduced in numerous racing games and simulators, including Racing Destruction Set, Sports Car GT, Forza Motorsport, Le Mans 24 Hours, iRacing, and Gran Turismo 7. This digital representation has extended awareness of the circuit beyond in-person spectators and competitors. The venue remains active as a race track, testing location, training facility, and corporate motorsports destination.
- 2022
Gran Turismo 7 inclusion
[1]Road Atlanta was added to Gran Turismo 7 through update 1.26.
- 2018
Michelin naming-rights agreement
[1]The facility adopted the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta name under a naming-rights agreement.
- 2012
IMSA Holdings acquisition
[1]IMSA Holdings acquired Road Atlanta within its purchase of the Panoz Motor Sports Group.
- 2008
Turn modifications and cycling event
[1]Turns 4 and 12 were reconfigured for safety, and the track hosted a Tour de Georgia stage.
- 2007
Track resurfacing and safety work
[1]The circuit was repaved, and barrier and sightline improvements were made around the esses.
- 1998
Petit Le Mans launches
[1]The first Petit Le Mans was held at Road Atlanta and became the venue's principal endurance race.
- 1996
Don Panoz acquisition
[1]Don Panoz purchased the facility and initiated major circuit and paddock upgrades.
- 1993
Post-bankruptcy ownership transition
[1]A partnership acquired the circuit after bankruptcy and began extensive facility improvements.
- 1986
First NASCAR Busch Grand National road race
[1]The circuit hosted the first road race in NASCAR's Busch Grand National Series history.
- 1970
First race at Road Atlanta
[1]Road Atlanta held its first event on September 13, beginning with a 300-kilometer Can-Am race.
Products and positioning
A technically demanding, high-speed American road course positioned as a premier destination for endurance racing, sports-car competition, motorcycle racing, club events, testing, and motorsports experiences.
Endurance racing event · 1998
Petit Le Mans
Road Atlanta's signature endurance race, first held in 1998. It became a leading American sports-car event through the American Le Mans Series and later the IMSA SportsCar Championship, attracting professional teams, manufacturer-backed entries, and international attention.
Motorsports venue · 1970
Road Atlanta circuit
A 2.540-mile, 12-turn road course used for car and motorcycle racing. Its layout includes the fast esses and the downhill Turn 12, making it a demanding venue for professional competition, club racing, testing, and driver education.
Motorsports services
Track rental and driving programs
Road Atlanta supports racing schools, driving instruction, private testing, manufacturer programs, corporate activities, and other organized uses of the circuit. These services extend the facility beyond its professional race calendar.
Brand decisions
2018
Michelin naming-rights agreementOtherBackground
Michelin and IMSA Holdings entered into a commercial naming-rights arrangement for the facility.
Action taken
The venue adopted the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta name.
Aftermath
The agreement increased Michelin's visible association with one of North America's best-known endurance-racing venues.
2012
IMSA Holdings acquisitionM&ABackground
IMSA Holdings sought to consolidate assets associated with the Panoz Motor Sports Group.
Action taken
IMSA Holdings acquired Road Atlanta through the purchase of the Panoz Motor Sports Group.
Aftermath
Road Atlanta became part of the ownership structure connected with major North American sports-car racing.
2008
Turn 4 and Turn 12 reconfigurationStrategyBackground
Motorcycle racing required additional attention to the safety characteristics of the circuit's most challenging sections.
Action taken
Turns 4 and 12 were modified, while the principal car racing line remained substantially unchanged.
Aftermath
The changes were intended to make the circuit more suitable for motorcycle competition.
2007
Resurfacing and safety improvementsStrategyBackground
The venue needed continued infrastructure work to support high-level racing and improve conditions for drivers and spectators.
Action taken
Road Atlanta repaved the circuit, moved barriers farther from the esses, and improved viewing lines.
Aftermath
The work modernized the racing surface and strengthened the venue's safety and spectator infrastructure.
1996
Don Panoz acquisition and redevelopmentM&ABackground
After the circuit's financial difficulties and ownership changes, Don Panoz acquired Road Atlanta and incorporated it into a broader motorsports operation.
Action taken
The facility was redesigned with a chicane, upgraded pit and paddock infrastructure, and a new terrace seating area.
Aftermath
The redevelopment improved the circuit's ability to host international sports-car events and supported the launch of Petit Le Mans.
Recent events
- 2022
Road Atlanta appears in Gran Turismo 7[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The circuit was added to Gran Turismo 7 in update 1.26, expanding its presence in consumer racing simulation.
- 2018
Michelin receives naming rights for Road Atlanta[1]
M&A · Other
Michelin and IMSA Holdings agreed to a naming-rights arrangement, producing the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta name.
- 2012
IMSA Holdings acquires Road Atlanta[1]
M&A
IMSA Holdings purchased Road Atlanta as part of its acquisition of the Panoz Motor Sports Group.
- 1998
Petit Le Mans debuts at Road Atlanta[1]
Product launch · Other
The inaugural Petit Le Mans brought an internationally significant endurance race to the circuit and became the venue's signature event.
- 1996
Don Panoz purchases Road Atlanta[1]
M&A
Don Panoz acquired the circuit and made it a base for his motorsports operations, leading to major facility and track modifications.
- 1993
Road Atlanta emerges from bankruptcy under new ownership[1]
Bankruptcy · M&A
Following financial difficulties under the Whittington brothers, a partnership of business executives acquired the track and began a multiyear infrastructure improvement program.
- 1970
Road Atlanta opens with a Can-Am race[1]
Other
The newly built circuit held its first race on September 13, 1970, beginning its long association with professional and amateur road racing.
Sources2 sources
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