Petit Le Mans Set to Dazzle Sports Car Racing Fans—Rain or Shine!

Weather Provisions Being Made at Road Atlanta
to Ensure a Great Fan Viewing Experience

BRASELTON, GA, September  21st,  2009 – The 12th Annual Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda6, at Road Atlanta this Wednesday through Saturday, is arguably the most anticipated North American endurance race in a generation.  Despite all the rain in the Metro Atlanta area recently, the Road Atlanta facility is well prepared to host thousands of fans and the race cars are ready to dazzle the crowd—rain or shine.

“The race will occur rain or shine, in fact the American Le Mans Series cars are spectacular in the rain – going faster than most race cars run in dry conditions,” said Road Atlanta President Geoff Lee.  “Also, the changing track conditions create all sorts of excitement and thrills for drivers and fans”. 

With ticket sales ahead of last year's record pace, fans clearly want to see racing in any conditions.  Although the rain is expected to break by mid-week, Road Atlanta is making extra provisions to ensure that race fans enjoy a great race weekend, with or without rain.  Those provisions include:

• PARKING:  Ample additional paved parking will be available in the Support Paddock on Saturday and free parking will also be available across the street at Lanier Speedway. 
• SHUTTLES:  Extra shuttle buses will be running to transport fans from the Support Paddock and Lanier Speedway to the main infield of the track and the shuttles will also enable movement around the facility once personal vehicles are parked.
• INGRESS/EGRESS: Gravel is being placed at the entries to non-paved parking areas and extra parking staff is being brought in to ensure a smooth parking experience for race fans.
• CAMPING:  Campers and RVs will not be allowed into the property until 8 AM Wednesday morning (normally Tuesday night) to allow extra time for wet areas to dry and to prep the affected areas, making camping more enjoyable.

Rain or shine, fans are in for a real treat this weekend.  The four day event includes nine different racing series and 12 thrilling races over a three day period.  It's simply the best lineup of races ever included during a single road racing event.  It's all highlighted by Petit Le Mans itself on Saturday, September 26th.

In addition to a prototype grudge match between Audi, Peugeot and Acura, and an epic GT battle between Porsche, Ferrari, Panoz, Corvette, BMW and Jaguar, no other series in the world offers the kind of up-close and personal access the fans will experience at Petit Le Mans.  Activities include, driver autograph sessions and chats, tech talks, an open paddock all week, grid walk before the race, Vendor Village expo area, Club Patron, Road Atlanta Sports Bar, Car Corrals, Night Practice on Thursday, Reserved RV spaces and camping, VIP Hospitality Chalet, Petit Pit Stop for kids and so much more!  Kids 12 and under get in free so bring the entire family.  Tickets for the 12th Annual Petit Le Mans Powered by MAZDA6 are available at the gate.