Atlanta Motorsports Park Approved!

[©hris]

:bump:

DAWSONVILLE COUNCIL APPROVES FULL ZONING ATLANTA MOTORSPORTS PARK

Atlanta Motorsports Park is a Country Club for fast/exotic cars, bikes and karts

We are pleased to announce zoning for Atlanta Motorsports Park has been fully approved and the construction phase of the facility is about to begin. We are thankful to the city, county and citizens of Dawsonville for welcoming us.

Memberships have continued to sell at a brisk pace which has been very satisfying given the tough economic conditions.

Starting on April 24th the preconstruction pricing levels will no longer be available and some of the extra amenities/options that come with the packages currently will also no longer be included in the packages (e.g. Karting memberships will be sold separate).

There were only 25 memberships at each of the three levels (Diamond, Platinum, Tungsten) initially offered as Founding Memberships and the few remaining will sell out quickly. (We sold nearly $300,000 in memberships in a little over 30 days.)

This week is your last chance to become one of the charter “Founding Members” of an elite club unlike any other. Founding members will have input in the design phase of AMP and receive recognition on the walls of the member club house and a plaque to bring home.

Course Highlights

The Dawsonville property will be developed into a GREEN or SUSTAINABLE (The only sustainable motorsports park in the world) private motorsports country club where members can drive their high-performance automobiles, racecars, motorcycles and karts on specially designed driving courses. The current site plan also calls for a members-only lounge, a 10,000-square-foot clubhouse with lockers and shower facilities, workout facility, a pool and hiking trails.

Highlights of the facility will include:
• Nearly three miles of high-performance road course
• Two straight-aways nearly 2,000 feet each
• More than 120 feet of elevation change
• 15 possible road course configurations
• Flexibility to operate three separate driving courses simultaneously
• Members will be able to participate in performance driving their cars or superbikes, supercar rentals, safe driver education programs and karting

Celebrity Founding Members Already on Board; Members Sales Gear Up

Several high-profile celebrities became founding members, even before the plans were approved, including actor Patrick Dempsey, Atlanta Braves Chipper Jones, Atlanta Falcons Michael Jenkins, road racing champions Jack Baldwin and David Murry, plus the SPEED Channel’s Bob Varsha. Mr. Varsha will also serve as the “voice” of AMP as well as AMP spokesperson.

“These and our other founding members have had faith in the team and business from the beginning,” Porter said.

Sponsors, Vendors Selected

Contractors and strategic partners have already been selected in anticipation of the approval. They include the famed Tilke Architects Formula 1 track designers for the architecture and driving course design; RK Redding Construction for build-out; CW Matthews for the track paving; TS Racing as the karting retail sales; Global Marketing Giants Ignition Inc. & i3 Worldwide LLC as the sales and marketing team; Driving Impressions will be AMP’s sole racing apparel retailer; and SunTrust Bank as the official banking partner.

For more information, visit www.AtlantaMotorsportsPark.com or call 678-513-FAST (3278).

[©hris]

wish i could afford the lifetime membership.... that would be cool.

[RedEj8]

Very cool!

[Alan®]

its gonna be cool but somehow i don't see this staying open very long. bad time to be opening something like this.

[The Ninja]

How much does a lifetime membership cost?

[©hris]

$35,000 i think... no monthly fees and LOTS of cool goodies.... www.AtlantaMotorsportsPark.com check out the site for pricing

[BKgen®]

awesome.

[JITB]

Im lost on the membership thing? Only members will be able to run on it? is it like a country club track?

[babygurl]

Oh yay I live in Dawsonville, more fucking traffic...

oh well its about time to move again.

Either way cool idea, and it will bring more jobs to the area...

[©hris]

Im lost on the membership thing? Only members will be able to run on it? is it like a country club track?

no... visit the website it explains everything

[Paul]

we'll see how far it goes and how long it takes to do everything listed on their site... zoning is one thing $$$ to build is another.

[©hris]

anyone notice that Michael Jenkins is a member?? hehe he's rockin a porsche GT3

Michael Jenkins - Atlanta Falcons
Tell me about your vehicles, bikes, karts and collection?
Currently I own a Porsche 997-GT3, CLK 63 Black Series, and S63 Mercedes.

Tell me about your driving experience, ok to have none!
I have been driving for about 3 years now. I have driven with PCA, BMWCCA, CHIN, and use to do Panoz days when they were available in the past. I've completed the 3 day Panoz driving school and have over 45+ track days under my belt.

What do you do for a living? Title? Company?
I am a pro athlete currently with the Atlanta Falcons.

What city or state do you reside?
Braselton, GA.

How will you use this membership? Business? Pleasure?
Mostly pleasure as I will do several driving events here.

What do you like most about AMP?
The on site garage and housing rental and country club atmosphere with car enthusiasts just like myself.

Why did you join the club?
To take advantage of a great opportunity to meet great people and let me cars stretch there legs in the proper environment.

Would you like to say anything to other potential members?
I believe once this course is done it will be the premier driving course to attend on the whole east coast.

[ironchef]

we'll see how far it goes and how long it takes to do everything listed on their site... zoning is one thing $$$ to build is another.Agreed, mad $$$ is required for a project like this. Its going to be hard to scrap together that kind of money in this economy.

[green91]

Yes, its a country club park. Im really dissappointed to hear of this passing.

[©hris]

Yes, its a country club park. Im really dissappointed to hear of this passing.

not entirely true... there will be open practice sessions to the public, club events, and short term memberships... also daily passes will be available.

its designed to host all auto enthusiast throughout the year.

edit:: guest passes also available

[Paul]

Yes, its a country club park. Im really dissappointed to hear of this passing.

trust me it won't be a country club park when they don't have the funds to do what they want :goodjob:

if this was a great idea you would see large tracks like Road Atlanta following

[©hris]

trust me it won't be a country club park when they don't have the funds to do what they want :goodjob:

if this was a great idea you would see large tracks like Road Atlanta following


http://carolinamotorsportspark.com/pmcmembership.html

http://www.genoamotorsports.com/

http://www.millermotorsportspark.com/track_memberships_executive.php

http://www.pnwmotorsportspark.com/membershipfees.html

http://alpinesignature.com/memberships2.html

http://www.alabamamotorsportspark.com/winnerscircle/index.html

http://www.springmountainmotorsports.com/

http://kcimotorsportspark.com/sub_faq.html

etc.....

[Julio]

Why are you so happy to support this? Is a totally crazy idea in hickville...

I mean, Im not going to support something I will probably will never enjoy unless is like 20 bucks or something..

So , I careless they are building the B.S anyways..

[StraightSix]

The track will be available to rent by groups other than the members. The country club idea *is* something that is catching on. Virginia International Raceway has had a country club group for at least the past four years. Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw is currently in the planning stages of building condos on the racetrack property. The mythical High Rock Raceway in North Carolina has a very similar business model, but that project has stalled TMK (I doubt High Rock will ever be built).

Also, as far as I know the funding to build AMP is secured. So, not much of a need to scrape the money together when that part is handled. NASA-SE already has a date at AMP later this year, pending construction. The guys behind the AMP project were waiting to really get things moving on building the track until all the zoning and approvals were out of the way.

[©hris]

i dont understand why any car enthusiast would be against this. I remember back when i first got involved with IA and the import scene people told me that this is an expensive hobby and diehard enthusiast spend their whole pay checks to upgrade something on their car....

well now there is a playground for us to play on. Yes its expensive but then again so is that Turbo kit your saving for, so is those $1600 racing seats you want, the $600 carbon hood you want....

As an avid car enthusiast i am very much for the building of AMP... and if i lived near dawsonville... id make sure my house was accross the street so i could wake up to the smell and sound of race cars every day. I think AMP is a great idea and anyone that wants to race can save up to try it out.... AMP has MANY ways of getting on the track.

Hook up with Nasa-se and do it for free! :)

[EJ25RUN]

Why are you so happy to support this? Is a totally crazy idea in hickville...

I mean, Im not going to support something I will probably will never enjoy unless is like 20 bucks or something..

So , I careless they are building the B.S anyways..
Just to clarify....i'm assuming you're not the type to attend a Road Atlanta weekend?

The question is more geared at whether you would go to a road course in general.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wouldn't it make more sense to put this in the comp forum?

[ironchef]

http://carolinamotorsportspark.com/pmcmembership.html

http://www.genoamotorsports.com/

http://www.millermotorsportspark.com/track_memberships_executive.php

http://www.pnwmotorsportspark.com/membershipfees.html

http://alpinesignature.com/memberships2.html

http://www.alabamamotorsportspark.com/winnerscircle/index.html

http://www.springmountainmotorsports.com/

http://kcimotorsportspark.com/sub_faq.html

etc.....A lot of those are in the planning stages. And some aren't even true Country Club racetracks. One of the few successfully operating ones is the Autobahn Country Club.

[collins]

i'm glad to hear they've changed some of their requirements to use the facility. i'm not against it at all, but why have something like that when only the elite few can use it?

[green91]

I don't support it for several reasons.

#1) It is built behind an elitist mentality. The people buying into memberships have extremely deep pockets and this is for them to stretch their toys out on. Do you think people paying $30k+ for a membership to drive their porches want to have turbo civics driving on their track? Nope.

#2) Community impact. Dawsonville is a very very quiet town aside from the outlet malls (which are off a major highway.) This track is on a backroadish-highway and is surrounded by peaceful homes, farmland, and is somewhat near the etowah river. Having a loud, polluting track in the middle of this area just doesn't fit the lifestyle or the scenery. Infact, most of us locals will have to bear the burden of increased traffic, wrecks, law enforcement, pollution and impact fees to the community, yet id say its very FAIR to estimate that 99% of dawson county residents cannot afford to use the facilities.

#3) Viability. Dawsonville is a town of a great NASCAR heritage, many great drivers have come from this area. Dawsonville built Thunder Road, a large museum of sorts. Even in an area where every TV is on the race on Sunday, thunder road was a FLOP. City hall and other city offices are now occupying a portion of the building just to help pay for it. If a place like Thunder Road, with people who can actually afford to visit it and appreciate it, how is a full-time motorsports park going to sustain itself? Sure, a couple hundred grand in up-front memberships look good in the planning stages, but long term i just don't see the place being viable.. then once again the community has to deal with the sight of a run down concrete park.


While I am a huge motorsports enthusiast, I cannot be blindsided to think that every track is a worthwhile investment. There are more factors to consider in something of this magnitude. I find it extremely ironic that so many people have e-mailed the media and touted the park, yet they will never even set a foot or a tire on the place.

[green91]

As an avid car enthusiast i am very much for the building of AMP... and if i lived near dawsonville... id make sure my house was accross the street so i could wake up to the smell and sound of race cars every day. I think AMP is a great idea and anyone that wants to race can save up to try it out.... AMP has MANY ways of getting on the track.




The funny thing is, if you were to live across the street, your house would be in a pasture, and most likely you would smell more cow and chicken shit than anything. This isn't the place for a track.

[green91]

no... visit the website it explains everything

From the VERY FIRST paragraph on their own site:

Atlanta Motorsports Park is a private country club that will offer a membership (http://www.atlantamotorsportspark.net/membership.shtml) for serious motor sports enthusiasts looking for executive level privileges and amenities (http://www.atlantamotorsportspark.net/amenities.shtml). We have spared no expense designing our first class driving course while we have also achieved our goal to have park facilities commensurate with this same level of excellence.


ALSO since we are posting about other tracks (that dont even exist LOL.)

http://www.trackracket.org/

[StraightSix]

i'm glad to hear they've changed some of their requirements to use the facility. i'm not against it at all, but why have something like that when only the elite few can use it?

It's more accessible than you think. Groups like NASA will rent the track and anyone with a car, a valid driver's license, and a NASA membership will be able to drive the track.

Tracks like this rely, to an extent, on public clubs renting the facilities to defray the costs of operating the track. There are weekends where CMP is closed to everyone except for Palmetto Club Members, and we, NASA, have 3 dates at CMP this year, and had four last year. VIR is the same way, a lot of weekends the track is closed to all but VIR Club members, NASA-MA has 3 dates there. Those are two examples of how country club tracks stay in business and only one organization, there are plenty of other organizations that rent the track at other times. AMP will be no different, and the people building the track would be stupid not to have "outside" organizations rent the track.

AMP won't have to deal with quite the level of usage that VIR, or NJMP, gets since the county is requiring that the track be a non-spectator facility. That immediately closes the possibility that Grand-Am or ALMS would come, and those cars are really loud. I doubt that teams running those series would be inclined to even test at AMP due to the tight noise restrictions. Hell, NASA might even have a hard time filling a weekend there, as I know of a number of cars off the top of my head that have issues passing sound at Roebling. Roebling's sound restriction is 103db, just for reference.

[IndianStig]

That is a country club i wanna live in!

[MongolPup]

Let me guess, you're their "marketing manager". Har. Har. Har.

[Julio]

i dont understand why any car enthusiast would be against this. I remember back when i first got involved with IA and the import scene people told me that this is an expensive hobby and diehard enthusiast spend their whole pay checks to upgrade something on their car....

well now there is a playground for us to play on. Yes its expensive but then again so is that Turbo kit your saving for, so is those $1600 racing seats you want, the $600 carbon hood you want....

As an avid car enthusiast i am very much for the building of AMP... and if i lived near dawsonville... id make sure my house was accross the street so i could wake up to the smell and sound of race cars every day. I think AMP is a great idea and anyone that wants to race can save up to try it out.... AMP has MANY ways of getting on the track.

Hook up with Nasa-se and do it for free! :)



And some of us learned and moved on.. Didnt know I had to agree even though Im a car enthusiast.
My Life doesnt evolve around cars anymore.... I have bigger and better things to do. They can build what they want , It wont affect me in any way.

[Julio]

Just to clarify....i'm assuming you're not the type to attend a Road Atlanta weekend?

The question is more geared at whether you would go to a road course in general.





Been a few times actually..

And there was no question really....

It was more of "HEY FOR 30K YOU CAN BUY YOUR SPOT"

lol...

[Julio]

I went and bought a New HONDA today.. While I was @ home depot I thought about this AMP place...

I wonder If they will let me race this

[Julio]

vroom vroom

[quickdodge®]

Julio, what did you give for that? Later, QD.

[green91]

You think an atlanta falcon wants some rice burner lawnmower on their track? HA. This is a country club.

[Julio]

Julio, what did you give for that? Later, QD.

470 + uncle same.

[quickdodge®]

470 + uncle same.

HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF QD!!!

I had no idea push mowers went for that much!

Guess I'll with the worn out rider, lolol. Later, QD.

[Julio]

HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF QD!!!

I had no idea push mowers went for that much!

Guess I'll with the worn out rider, lolol. Later, QD.

Well technically you dont push... lol

Bitch came with a 5 year warranty.. thats the only reason I payed extra $$

But you are right... I shouldve save that money towards my $30K membership @ AMP!

[quickdodge®]

Well technically you dont push... lol

Bitch came with a 5 year warranty.. thats the only reason I payed extra $$

Self-propelled, I assume? Later, QD.

[JITB]

I was lookin at that lawnmower the other day...lol

honda has one that is like 650$... crazy..

[Paul]

I don't support it for several reasons.

#1) It is built behind an elitist mentality. The people buying into memberships have extremely deep pockets and this is for them to stretch their toys out on. Do you think people paying $30k+ for a membership to drive their porches want to have turbo civics driving on their track? Nope.


2x

the only major advantage to the average car enthusiast is possibility for private events since we will have two road courses; the average car guy can't and won't pay such fees b/c its ridiculous. they can't have spectator events there from what i know it is truly private only, so it isn't like it will be bringing more NASCAR, Road Racing, etc

i'll eat my words once it is built and supported just as the website talks

[Elbow]

Really? Then why does NASA already have a race scheduled at the end of THIS season there? lol

[Paul]

Really? Then why does NASA already have a race scheduled at the end of THIS season there? lol

From what i was told they aren't going to be setup for spectators meaning 1000's of spectators sitting in bleachers, vendors, etc, etc - NASCAR, LeMans, etc. If they have events that big scheduled there already I guess I am mistaken :rolleyes:

[green91]

A handful of events will hardly float a park designed for 3 simultaneous events.

[Paul]

A handful of events will hardly float a park designed for 3 simultaneous events.

exactly and if you aren't booking major televised events then you aren't going to make :2cents:

[SampaGuy]

Should Ferrari stop making cars because only the elite few can afford it and it upsets poor people? WTF is wrong with you people?

[green91]

My problem isnt with the track persay as much as it is the location.

[SampaGuy]

exactly and if you aren't booking major televised events then you aren't going to make :2cents:


Most tracks make most of their money on rentals/testing. The insurance costs for a spectator event kills most of their profits. That's why there are relatively many road courses in Florida, yet most of them don't host big events.

[Tyl0rWeaver]

Can't wait :) I'd love to go check it out!!

[StraightSix]

Most tracks make most of their money on rentals/testing. The insurance costs for a spectator event kills most of their profits.

Exactly.

A better example of a track that has been around for years, and isn't a spectator track....Roebling Road in Savannah. The track has been around for a long time and, TMK, has never had a major spectator event. All of the revenue generated to keep the track open comes from rentals; NASA, Seat Time, motorcycle groups, SCCA (although the Buccaneer Region does own the track) and testing. VIR is set up so that more than one event can occur at the same time. I was flagging on one such weekend. NASA-MA had the north course and a motorcycle group had the south course. NASA-MA also regularly runs a circuit-cross (it's like an autocross but on a purpose built smal track) on the Patriot course while club racing and HPDEs take place on VIR full.

If tracks are to be built to support a growing number of people getting involved in track days, they have to be built in less developed areas. Road Atlanta faced a battle in the past two years because there are now many ore homes in the area than when the track was built. Roebling Road is the same way. The residents near the track have put a lot of pressure on the county to shut Roebling down; it's likely only a matter of time before Roebling succumbs to the pressure, too. Tracks have to be in the middle of no where so that people won't bitch, and then when one does get built in the middle of no where people bitch. So, what's the answer...no racetracks? Close public roads periodically?

I think that AMP is poise to do very well. The developers have things well thought out, and the track will be used by more than just an elite few. I think people have the wrong impression since AMP is being billed as a country club racetrack. It isn't a country club in the same manner as a country club golf course. Those things can be solely member supported since golf doesn't have quite the same barriers to entry that motorsports does; by barriers to entry I mean mostly the perceived risk involved.

[Paul]

Most tracks make most of their money on rentals/testing. The insurance costs for a spectator event kills most of their profits. That's why there are relatively many road courses in Florida, yet most of them don't host big events.

I've done quite a few track events and insurance cost aren't what they make it out to be... having the staff to handle crowds is by far more of an expense. Building a huge track not to run major events is kinda lame - its great that you want to make a membership/private party track; but you can rent Road Atlanta and do the same already. Auto racing as much as rental can make money large spectator events by far dwarf such events and they aren't even comparable $ wise.

i already stated it is good for enthusiast that would like to rent out for private racing now we have 2 tracks to pick from but i guarantee maybe less than 5 people out of the 35k members on this board will have a membership :goodjob:





$2,000 initiation fee due upon signing (Discounted from $3,500- limited during preconstruction only)
$50 monthly dues, inflationary increase
$10 daily use fee for driving course, inflationary increase


2600$ the first year not including 10$ daily use fee so who of you is ponying up for the cheapest membership?

[SampaGuy]

I've done quite a few track events and insurance cost aren't what they make it out to be...


Its not about insuring the drivers and the cars at the track, its about insuring the 30,000 spectators that attend.

[StraightSix]

i already stated it is good for enthusiast that would like to rent out for private racing now we have 2 tracks to pick from but i guarantee maybe less than 5 people out of the 35k members on this board will have a membership :goodjob:



2600$ the first year not including 10$ daily use fee so who of you is ponying up for the cheapest membership?

It seems that perhaps you're missing the point of facilities like these. Sure, one of the ways that they get built in stay in business is the country club memberships. Swell. I haven't the money, nor the intent to become a member at one of these places.

What I do have, and what anyone on this forum has, is the opportunity to join a group who will use the facility. Organizations like SCCA, NASA, and people running track days.

Let the elite have their private motorsports play ground. Just let me and the organization that I drive with have access.

[green91]

Thats fine for the <10 people on here that actually compete. The fact is most of the people on here that claim to be pro AMP have never competed and likely will never set a foot on this track.

Once again, a majority of my problems aren't with the track itself but its location.

[StraightSix]

I don't compete.

Not yet, anyway.

[Paul]

Its not about insuring the drivers and the cars at the track, its about insuring the 30,000 spectators that attend.

out of anyone on this board I know what insurance cost are for tracks around here i've ran quite a few events w/ 5000+ spectators - i've seen and gotten cost from Atlanta Dragway, Road Atlanta, etc. we had to pay for a full medical staff at all of our events.



It seems that perhaps you're missing the point of facilities like these. Sure, one of the ways that they get built in stay in business is the country club memberships. Swell. I haven't the money, nor the intent to become a member at one of these places.

What I do have, and what anyone on this forum has, is the opportunity to join a group who will use the facility. Organizations like SCCA, NASA, and people running track days.

Let the elite have their private motorsports play ground. Just let me and the organization that I drive with have access.

you didn't read what i posted: "i already stated it is good for enthusiast that would like to rent out for private racing now we have 2 tracks to pick from" ... sorry i'm not drinking the juice and getting AMP'd about another track that is not even built :rolleyes:

[2turbo4u]

I wonder what's Tracy take on this, she was the one who posted awhile back about this track coming to town?

[Twan0690]

I hope I will be able o play here atleast once

[StraightSix]

you didn't read what i posted: "i already stated it is good for enthusiast that would like to rent out for private racing now we have 2 tracks to pick from" ... sorry i'm not drinking the juice and getting AMP'd about another track that is not even built :rolleyes:

Ah, indeed. Sorry.

[1SICKLEX]

Glad it got passed!!!!!

[nsany(atl)]

I don't support it for several reasons.

#1) It is built behind an elitist mentality. The people buying into memberships have extremely deep pockets and this is for them to stretch their toys out on. Do you think people paying $30k+ for a membership to drive their porches want to have turbo civics driving on their track? Nope.

#2) Community impact. Dawsonville is a very very quiet town aside from the outlet malls (which are off a major highway.) This track is on a backroadish-highway and is surrounded by peaceful homes, farmland, and is somewhat near the etowah river. Having a loud, polluting track in the middle of this area just doesn't fit the lifestyle or the scenery. Infact, most of us locals will have to bear the burden of increased traffic, wrecks, law enforcement, pollution and impact fees to the community, yet id say its very FAIR to estimate that 99% of dawson county residents cannot afford to use the facilities.

#3) Viability. Dawsonville is a town of a great NASCAR heritage, many great drivers have come from this area. Dawsonville built Thunder Road, a large museum of sorts. Even in an area where every TV is on the race on Sunday, thunder road was a FLOP. City hall and other city offices are now occupying a portion of the building just to help pay for it. If a place like Thunder Road, with people who can actually afford to visit it and appreciate it, how is a full-time motorsports park going to sustain itself? Sure, a couple hundred grand in up-front memberships look good in the planning stages, but long term i just don't see the place being viable.. then once again the community has to deal with the sight of a run down concrete park.


While I am a huge motorsports enthusiast, I cannot be blindsided to think that every track is a worthwhile investment. There are more factors to consider in something of this magnitude. I find it extremely ironic that so many people have e-mailed the media and touted the park, yet they will never even set a foot or a tire on the place.


Redneck Socialist Alert!!!!!!

[green91]

Not everybody enjoys living in the city and seeing run down strip malls, traffic, and construction all the time. Ill keep my residence in the woods, you stay in smyrna ok?

[OTG Signs]

We will probably be a sponsor. :)