Suggestions for track event for first timer near Atlanta

[CatBus]

As the title says, I am looking for recommendations for a track to go to and a specific track event near Atlanta. I have only ever done Porsche Experience Center once, but would like to look into doing track days in my own car. I was hoping to get some advice and recommendations. Thank you in advance.

Also, I have heard that track specific insurance is quite important. Any recommendations for track insurance?

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[optronix]

There are tons of great resources out there, but hopefully someone local to you can chime in more specifically for your area. It might be off season right now but you're far enough south there are probably still events ongoing; but I'd send you to https://www.motorsportreg.com/ to look for events near you.

I'd suggest looking specifically for "school" type events, but honestly most well run HPDEs will provide first-timers and novices with a good amount of instruction for even their "standard" type events. I'd think the "schools" would be available in the spring, probably from March through June I'm guessing. Being right there next the Porsche center is convenient! But to your point, there are pluses and minuses to driving your car or someone else's, and the Porsche events are probably catered to pure newbs whose main goal is not running the car off the course and into a wall... I've never been to a Porsche center but I have been to the BMW Performance Center in SC. It was a structured full day of driving multiple different cars in the BMW M division lineup though; I think the Porsche stuff is more a la carte. But I digress. It's still surely great track experience that you got there, but can only help so much when it comes to getting your own car out there.

Insurance is wise; some consider it necessary. I wouldn't argue with them- but personally I get insurance for peace of mind. I've always gone through Lockton, but Hagerty is another option and I'm sure some others are out there too. Generally speaking, Lockton is less expensive but could be a bit more hassle than Hagerty if it comes down to paying out a claim- but that being said I've never heard of Lockton straight up stiffing people on claims, just more like reports that Hagerty is completely effortless and very friendly with paying out whatever people claim their modifications are worth- but you'll pay for it.

@Victorofhavoc and @RamVA are your guys, probably the most prolific track guys we have on here who regularly post.

 

[86salmon]

CMP in Kershaw, SC is a good track for learning on. It has fun turn complexes and 5 high speed brake zones. It has large runoffs if you make a big whoops and only one wall, a tire wall. It also has less knuckleheads to contend with

 

[Victorofhavoc]

For first timers out, my recommendation is to grab an organization that does a good job with education and communication. It can be frustrating and overwhelming for new comers if they're not well introduced to the whole day schedule.

I personally instruct with and drive with NASA, and I really like their teaching format to newcomers. It's very approachable and responsible. You can look up the 2025 events for your region (NASA southeast). NASA nationals is in my neck of the woods in OIR this year.

Beyond them, PCA and BMWCCA are also responsible and safe organizations to go out with. There's also other groups you can find. They can vary from advanced drivers in HPDE only, like Chin, to very open ended and loose like SCCA.

Road Atlanta is your nearest track, and NASA has an event there in June. https://nasa-se.com/schedule/

You can also see their schedule for the whole year to get an idea of what groups are driving out there, https://www.roadatlanta.com/events/track-days-car-clubs/view-track-days-schedule

My personal recommendation for getting the most out of your first few times out: Don't have an ego, but don't be shy. Keep an open mind and pay attention to the sounds you hear, especially your tires. Don't be jerky, be smooth on steering, brake, and power, but smooth doesn't mean "slow". First session out, just stay in 3rd gear the whole time... Don't worry about shifting, just worry about where you're going until you learn the track.

Other than checking your brake fluid, pads, and tires, don't worry about "must do mods", because there aren't any. Alignment is important if you want to improve, but day one isn't critical unless it's way off or something.

 

[G8rbcn]

Agree with the comments above. I have done many HPDEs in our area (my GT350) and there are a number of good track event organizers around here. I have had good experiences with several, but lately have been doing events with JZilla. Track Nights are also a good option, less expensive, but more informal than some of the others.

We are pretty lucky to have three excellent tracks within 2 hours. I have not tracked my ITS (yet), but I would recommend starting with an event at Atlanta Motorsports Park. VERY technical, but fun and friendly to lower horsepower cars.

Road Atlanta is iconic, not the first track I would try as a beginner/novice. Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham is probably my favorite track. High speeds, technical and flat out beautiful.

Also can recommend Smoky Mountain Drives “Dragon Rally” up in western Carolina. Josh runs a fun event once a month for 40-50 cars on the mountain roads.

 

[elh0102]

When you say track event, I assume you are referring to an HPDE weekend. I've been out of the track stuff for several years, and the insurance issue varies with the state, so check with your agent. In my case, as long as the event was a "school", and not a competition, my regular insurance covered it. That said, it was typical that, in the case of a claim, the company covered it, but would often cancel your policy. I never had a claim during more than 10 years on track. My plan was to quit if I had a claim. Things have likely changed, so check with the insurance folks.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

When you say track event, I assume you are referring to an HPDE weekend. I've been out of the track stuff for several years, and the insurance issue varies with the state, so check with your agent. In my case, as long as the event was a "school", and not a competition, my regular insurance covered it. That said, it was typical that, in the case of a claim, the company covered it, but would often cancel your policy. I never had a claim during more than 10 years on track. My plan was to quit if I had a claim. Things have likely changed, so check with the insurance folks.

He means track insurance specifically.

Like optronix mentioned, Hagerty and lockton both do it. You pay for the weekend usually, because one day is nearly the same cost as two. It's up to you to determine if it's worth the risk for you or not. If you owe a ton on the car, then yeah probably worth it. If you don't and you don't care if you wreck it, then it's not worth it. I've seen it run from 300 to 600 per weekend depending on the car.

 

[elh0102]

He means track insurance specifically.

Like optronix mentioned, Hagerty and lockton both do it. You pay for the weekend usually, because one day is nearly the same cost as two. It's up to you to determine if it's worth the risk for you or not. If you owe a ton on the car, then yeah probably worth it. If you don't and you don't care if you wreck it, then it's not worth it. I've seen it run from 300 to 600 per weekend depending on the car.

Yes, I understand. My point was, during the time I was involved, track insurance wasn't really needed for "schools", as your normal insurance covered you. I'm in NC, and I've been out of it for over 10 years, so things may have changed. For timed events or competition, I think that specific track insurance is necessary, unless you simply self insure.

 

[optronix]

Yes, I understand. My point was, during the time I was involved, track insurance wasn't really needed for "schools", as your normal insurance covered you. I'm in NC, and I've been out of it for over 10 years, so things may have changed. For timed events or competition, I think that specific track insurance is necessary, unless you simply self insure.

I've seen some forum threads where people who work in insurance have mentioned that carriers have tightened up their verbiage specifically around "performance driving" events. Some have even implied that it's dangerous to even ask... I don't know about that second part, but I personally wouldn't expect insurance to cover anything that didn't happen on a public road.

This of course is hearsay, I won't try to convince anyone otherwise. My point is just to encourage thorough due diligence, especially when it comes to insurance.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

I've seen some forum threads where people who work in insurance have mentioned that carriers have tightened up their verbiage specifically around "performance driving" events. Some have even implied that it's dangerous to even ask... I don't know about that second part, but I personally wouldn't expect insurance to cover anything that didn't happen on a public road.

This of course is hearsay, I won't try to convince anyone otherwise. My point is just to encourage thorough due diligence, especially when it comes to insurance.

Even ten years ago when I asked insurance about "HPDE school" I was told it only applies to DOT funded schooling... Like the kind they send you to once you've passed a certain number of points on your license to "reduce the points." The verbiage in my travelers statement today notes that any driving "off road" is not covered, which includes private and closed roads and tracks.

I've heard rumors of people who claim they've wrecked on track and rolled it onto the street then called insurance. That's a relatively serious thing to get caught for since it's insurance fraud, though.

 

[elh0102]

Even ten years ago when I asked insurance about "HPDE school" I was told it only applies to DOT funded schooling... Like the kind they send you to once you've passed a certain number of points on your license to "reduce the points." The verbiage in my travelers statement today notes that any driving "off road" is not covered, which includes private and closed roads and tracks.

I've heard rumors of people who claim they've wrecked on track and rolled it onto the street then called insurance. That's a relatively serious thing to get caught for since it's insurance fraud, though.

Yes, this has always been a tricky subject, and the issues vary between states and insurance companies. During my involvement (in NC) I knew of two people who had insurance claims on their primary policies from incidents during HPDE track events. In one instance the claim was paid with no further discussion. In the other, the claim was also paid, but his insurance was cancelled. Some people are understandably hesitant to discuss this with their agent, but I think you should if you are going to rely on that policy. Obviously, specific track insurance is the better option (and maybe the only option today).

 

[SkiLLeT]

Try Roebling Road near Savannah. You’ll love it !

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