Last August (07) while attending a NASA-SE event, I had the opportunity to explore Turn 1 at Road Atlanta with some of my friends. I thought I'd share a few snap shots from the tour.

This is me following my friend TorqueAholic into the entrance to begin the tour. It was fun chasing him and catching him just in time for the excitement. He likes to keep his foot in the brakes sometimes longer than I do. : )



This is a pic showing my friend, Corner Worker, in the flag stand off in the distance. This was a good time to look at the sturdy construction of the concrete wall that protects against those pesky cars from hurting innocent people.


This is a closer view of my friend Corner Worker. He is a very nice guy but for some reason, he didn't want to talk to me and turned and ran! Wasn't very sociable.


Oh look!... Here's my friend TorqueAholic again! TrackAddict is riding shotgun with him. Isn't this exciting?


I thought this was nice of Mazda to advertise at this location. It's in a perfect spot for viewing.


Oh look, here's another friend joining me... It's Olddragger... Hi OD, how's the wife and kids! Nice looking 8 you got there my friend. I'm going to just turn around here and join you, OK!


Cool, there's my friend Corner Worker again. I think the wind must be picking up because the dust is starting to get pretty thick. Glad I turned the windshild wipers on. Hey OD, you sticking around for a while?


There's TorqueAholic again in the distance. Hey, wait up... I'll be right there.


Oh, that looks like a trail to my left, maybe I should just head over to it.


The weather changes abruptly in locations like this so you have to be prepared for rock storms. This storm came up abruptly and dumped pea sized stones on and in my poor car. It was blowing so hard it came in sideways through the open window. I didn't even have a chance to close it and it was all over as soon as it started! Damn, the weather lady didn't warn me about this.


Oh my, that wasn't a trail, it was a nice display of tires. Guess there must be a tire manufacture advertising somewhere around here. Guess I should see if there is someone around to service mine? Wow, and I have soooo many souvineeres in my car. Hope Road Atlanta doesn't mind if I take a few thousand home with me.

 

don,

that was better than if you had ever got the story out at rr..

great job.. lmao!

beers

 

Haha! That's right, I never did finish my story, did I?

 

I worked Corner 1 once when the SCCA Runoffs were at Road Atlanta. Saw quite a few cars that did that same thing. That was a long time ago. I think I still have a pair of white pants that are stained red.

 

The Runoffs at Atlanta stained my memories. Most notable at 1 was the Mini that plowed into the tire wall in front of the pedestrian bridge. I think that was the year they installed the porcelin cathedral.

GT1, turn 6 in 1983. Newman didn't make it that year. A little rain at the crest of 6. Running off 6 is downhill - through the fence and deep into the trees. And they just kept coming.

Somewhere I've got some in-car of an RX7 GT2 at the Runoffs - 2 laps pretty much side x side racing.

 

stained red? wah?

did you hit the wall or stop right next to it?

 

Commentary was hilarious, I hope you were ok, car ok. I did laugh much!

 

I did a photo essay on Paul at RA in 84:

 

Look at the photos of paul and you will see the red clay instead of dirt. I have the same problem with pants when I take photos at this track.

 

Don was doing about 85-90 mph in that spin! So calm--it also doesnt show how he "saved" the car from hitting that inside wall!!
I just bust a gut everytime i look at this and read it!
OD

 

Here ya go Denny, the actual video

I know you've already seen it but I might as well post again. I'm not so sure about that "So calm" comment!

One thing I notice as I was watching the vid last night is the car slipped a little just prior to the apex in turn 12 which is the turn just before the excursion. I don't recall my car ever doing that before.

 

ahh,

the days of trans am..

btw, wish you had got a shot of mr newman at summit point that year..

plaid shorts. orange socks and sandles. my wife at the time who adored him went wtf?????

beers




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how bad was the damage? im assuming the rear quarter panel has to be worked?