Hello everyone! I have signed up for one of the Road Atlanta track days during the MCA anniversary event at the end of August. For those that might be familiar, I've done the Dark Horse Track Attack on the Roval and am wondering if this track day will be similar. Have any of you participated in both to give a general comparison? I'm just curious what to expect since I'll be driving my own car this time vs. the Mustang they provided at Charlotte. Thanks in advance!

I am signed up for the event as well. MCA/SAAC events are very fun and welcoming to new comers. They are a bit different than what most of us HPDE/Club Racers are used to and that is actually good for novice level and intermediate drivers. You will have an Instructor but the track is full hot during track sessions so you will be able to drive as hard as you are able and will be able to pass or be passed with clear point by signals. It is very important to be aware of what is happening around you on track and to be mindful of your fellow on track friends. Road Atlanta is a great classic race course, very fast and flowing. Pay attention to your instructor nd drive eyes up and you will have no issue. Hope to see you there.

MCA usually does classroom instruction and lead follow. They typically do not do in car instruction.

EF1 said:

MCA usually does classroom instruction and lead follow. They typically do not do in car instruction.

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At Ozarks I thought they had instructors but I could be wrong. Thanks for correction Eric. If no instructor, I recommend having someone experienced ride with any Novice, new to Road Atlanta driver. It is not a place to just "find your way around" the first time there.

Thank you for the info guys, I really appreciate it. I've been a sim racing guy for the better part of 25 years, so I know the track layout like the back of my hand. I absolutely understand that isn't a replacement for real world driving, but at least I already have the course memorized which should help. I'm curious about the procedural stuff - such as what you mentioned - classroom and lead follow. That's what they did at the DH Track Attack, but the lead follow was a max of like 5 people. Will everyone in the Novice run group participate at the same time? Stuff like that...

I went and looked at the event page. It says limited classroom and lead/follow. This is what they did at Barber a few years ago. The lead follow was with all novice drivers on track at once. They had 5-6 instructor cars with 4-6 students behind each one.

steveespo said:

I recommend having someone experienced ride with any Novice, new to Road Atlanta driver. It is not a place to just "find your way around" the first time there.

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Why? I mean, just point the car straight ahead from turn 10b, mash the gas to the floor, and pray you are lined up properly once you get over the hill to turn 11 and can see the racetrack again . . .

Junkyard Dog said:

Why? I mean, just point the car straight ahead from turn 10b, mash the gas to the floor, and pray you are lined up properly once you get over the hill to turn 11 and can see the racetrack again . . .

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"You gotta feel the road. You gotta let it live inside you."

backflip99, several organizers of events at Road Atlanta do instructors in car for novice class with point by passing, and there are several events between now and August.

I only did one day there, but I think the lead/follow format would have driven me crazy with boredom, since I was very slow in the morning but much, much faster by evening. I do not even know how you would improve driving single file all day.

I would encourage you to look for some other events at this track (the track is great and loads of fun) if the lead/follow format does not appeal to you. Send me a PM if you can't find the other events.

Junkyard Dog said:

backflip99, several organizers of events at Road Atlanta do instructors in car for novice class with point by passing, and there are several events between now and August.

I only did one day there, but I think the lead/follow format would have driven me crazy with boredom, since I was very slow in the morning but much, much faster by evening. I do not even know how you would improve driving single file all day.

I would encourage you to look for some other events at this track (the track is great and loads of fun) if the lead/follow format does not appeal to you. Send me a PM if you can't find the other events.

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10-4 thank you for the info!

Junkyard Dog said:

backflip99, several organizers of events at Road Atlanta do instructors in car for novice class with point by passing, and there are several events between now and August.

I only did one day there, but I think the lead/follow format would have driven me crazy with boredom, since I was very slow in the morning but much, much faster by evening. I do not even know how you would improve driving single file all day.

I would encourage you to look for some other events at this track (the track is great and loads of fun) if the lead/follow format does not appeal to you. Send me a PM if you can't find the other events.

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If you guys find an event at Road Atlanta in the next few months let me know. I may be able to join you.

Just Track It has one day June 5 and three days in a row in July, the 10th-12th.

I cannot attend July 10, as it requires 15 or more track weekends of experience.

The two day event, July 11-12, is a charity fundraiser for ALS.

July has a ladies intro for $199.

I am going to try to shoot for June 5, and then we'll see about July 11-12. Track days get expensive when you have a wife and two young children to support.

Junkyard Dog said:

July has a ladies intro for $199.

I am going to try to shoot for June 5, and then we'll see about July 11-12. Track days get expensive when you have a wife and two young children to support.

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Man, I'd love to come down for the ALS fundraiser, but I've got to watch my expenses too so I'll probably be making my maiden voyage on the track in August.

Here's a couple more noob questions for you. I'm reading thru the MCA event rules document and see that a helmet is required. They don't mention rentals, so I'm guessing they won't have them on hand and I need to purchase one? Note: Please don't flame me for asking about rental equipment... I won't be participating in HPDE events often and I'm definitely not wealthy, so I have to spend carefully. Also, I don't see a HANS device reference, so those are optional from what you've experienced Thanks again for your help!!!

Not sure if MCA has rental helmets or not. Hans is optional but highly recommended if using harnesses. Most hans are not compatible with oem seatbelts. The Simpson hybtid S is but kind of expensive.

The classroom instructor at the CMP driving school last October said Road Atlanta was "a big boy" track. Doing lead/follow as a novice makes me a little nervous. But I've been watching a lot of race footage on Youtube since they announced it and will get more familiar w/ the track in iRacing if I sign up.

I am registered for the MCA/SAAC event this August at Road Atlanta. I am a SAAC member.



I am previously a HSR vintage Champion back when I owned a 1965 Mustang.


I am looking forward to the track days as well as the great cars in the Concours.

wgSlappz said:

The classroom instructor at the CMP driving school last October said Road Atlanta was "a big boy" track. Doing lead/follow as a novice makes me a little nervous. But I've been watching a lot of race footage on Youtube since they announced it and will get more familiar w/ the track in iRacing if I sign up.

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Get signed up, it's going to be a lot of fun! I've been on iRacing for many years so I know the track layout very well. Hopefully that will help me get acclimated a little quicker than most. Hope to see you out there!

It is "lead follow." It says so right on the registration page.

Learn high speed driving and car control skills through limited classroom and lead follow instruction from experienced instructors. Bring your street car or track car. No previous experience necessary.
Only the "Very Advanced" group shows or mentions passing.