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PETIT
LE MANS
The Petit Le Mans (French for little Le Mans)
is a sports car endurance race held annually at Road Atlanta
in Braselton, Georgia, USA.
The race was first run on October 10, 1998 as part of the IMSA
season, then in 1999 became one of the original events of the
American Le Mans Series. It uses the rules established for the
24 hours of Le Mans by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO),
which are slightly modified if necessary, mainly to allow additional
cars to compete.
The race covers a maximum of 1,000 miles (1,600 km) (which is
approximately 394 laps) or a maximum of 10 hours, whichever comes
first; in its history the leading team has never failed to complete
1000 miles. In addition to the overall race, teams of two or
three drivers per car compete for class victories in four different
classes of cars, two for Le Mans prototypes and two for grand
tourer cars. Class winners of this event receive an automatic
invitation to the following year's 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The race was founded by Dr. Don Panoz, the owner of the Panoz
Motor Sports Group. Panoz also owns the American Le Mans Series,
Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, and Mosport International
Raceway.
ROAD
ATLANTA
Road Atlanta is a 2.54-mile (4.088 km) road course located
in Braselton, Georgia, USA, (Across the road from Lanier Raceway).
The track has 12 turns, including the famous "esses" between
turns three and five, and Turn 12, a downhill, diving turn. The
track is owned by Panoz Motorsports, and is the home to Petit
Le Mans, as well as AMA motorcycle racing and smaller events
throughout the year.
Road
Atlanta is recognized as one the world’s best road
courses. The multi-purpose motor sports facility is situated
on 750 park-like acres in the rolling hills of Northeast Georgia.
Road Atlanta is located 35 miles north of Atlanta and just minutes
away from Chateau Elan, a 4-Star resort offering guests comfort
and amenities such as three championship golf courses and a European-style
Spa.
The facility is utilized for a wide variety of events, including
professional and amateur sports car and motorcycle races, racing
and driving schools, corporate programs and testing for motorsports
teams.
Road
Atlanta hosts major events like Petit Le Mans and the
Suzuki Superbike Showdown, and is home to the Skip Barber Racing
School, Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School and Saab Aero Academy.
Road Atlanta is part of the Panoz Motor Sports Group. Since purchasing
Road Atlanta in 1996, Don Panoz has made millions of dollars
in improvements designed to create a perfect blend of safety
for the racers and comfort and convenience for the fans. We hope
you will visit often and experience the excitement only Road
Atlanta can offer!
As
one of the top entertainment centers in Georgia, Road Atlanta
offers individuals, families and large corporate groups a fun
and family-friendly environment. Our Kids 12 & Under Are
Always Free policy gives families an affordable family outing.
Gates open at 7:00am on the first day of the event and remain
open for 24 hours throughout the weekend. Children age 12 and
under admitted free when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.
Children over 12 years are required to purchase tickets at full
gate price. Be sure to visit the playground located next to the
Jim Fitzgerald Memorial Park.
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Fast Facts:
2.54-mile, 12-turn world class road course
320,000 annual visitors from
33 states and 18 countries
Family friendly atmosphere:
Kids 12 & Under Are Always Free!
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