Atlanta Motorsports Park Approved!

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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

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

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Originally Posted by simontibbett

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

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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:

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

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Originally Posted by green91

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

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

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

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

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Originally Posted by Paul

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

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by plv

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

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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.

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Originally Posted by plv

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.

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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:

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• $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

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

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Originally Posted by Paul

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

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

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Originally Posted by Paul

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?

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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.

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.

I don't compete.

Not yet, anyway.

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Originally Posted by plv

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

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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.

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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.

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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:

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

I hope I will be able o play here atleast once

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Originally Posted by Paul

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:

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Ah, indeed. Sorry.

Glad it got passed!!!!!

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Originally Posted by 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.

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Redneck Socialist Alert!!!!!!

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?

We will probably be a sponsor. :)