Tag Archives: News

Porsche is adding a new track to the Atlanta Experience Center

Atlanta — okay technically Hapeville — is getting a new track! Porsche recently broke ground on a massive expansion to its Experience Center in Georgia. The existing track and skid pad and off-road route and whatnot will stay in place, but the track will be expanded much further, to allow more people to experience the limits of a Porsche in safe and fun ways! This will effectively double the length of track on site, adding new features and corners inspired by some of the best race tracks in the world.

Not only will the expansion add miles of new track for customers to use, but the new 33-acre expansion will add a new Porsche Classic Factory Restoration facility, and a new parking deck to make up for the added capacity. The recently-opened Porsche Service Center South Atlanta is already built and operational on the grounds of this new expansion. It’s pretty cool that you’ll be able to take your vintage Porsche in for restoration work at the new facility. And while you’re there you could test a new one out on track.

“The physical connection a driver enjoys with our sports cars is core to the Porsche brand, which is why we’re expanding this option even as we and our dealers invest in new digital touchpoints for customers. The two worlds – digital and real – complement each other,” said Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of PCNA. “Whether a Porsche owner or not, the Experience Centers in Atlanta and LA serve as destinations where anyone can experience the thrill of a Porsche sports car and learn more about the brand. The Atlanta center has already hosted more than 6,000 visitors a month in normal times, and we hope the track expansion excites many more to come engage with Porsche.”

So what does the new track include? Elements of the 1.3-mile expansion include a Laguna Seca Corkscrew-esque expansion, a Nurburgring-Nordschleife style Karussel, and a section inspired by the Tail of the Dragon in the Smoky Mountains. You’ll get a pretty good idea of what your new Porsche is capable of by doing a few laps around this course, I can already tell you that without even having seen it. There’s also a new low-friction wet circle, a simulated “ice hill” to demonstrate traction control, and a large 135×555 foot patch of asphalt for handling showcases.

The two tracks will operate independently on most days, but it’s possible to link the two for an impressive 2.9-mile full course for special events. Porsche expects the track to be finished and operational by the first quarter of 2023. PEC ATL has been open since 2015, and serves as the brand’s North American headquarters.

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Laguna Seca management cancels Motorsports Reunion for 2020

Monterey

MontereyDick Deluna steers a 1917 Hall-Scott around Laguna Seca during a previous Motorsports Reunion | Rolex photos

Officials of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca announced June 13 the cancelation of the 2020 Monterey Motorsports Reunion, one of the two major anchors of the annual Monterey Car Week. The other anchor, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, already has been canceled.

Race track officials cited the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic for their decision.

“The highest priority is for the health and safety of race participants, crews and their families, as well as guests and our Monterey County residents,” John Narigi, track president and general manager, was quoted in a news release.

“As was our plan, we waited until June after weighing all the options and different scenarios before making a final decision. No matter how much we hoped, no one can fully anticipate what state mandates will be in place that will affect public events and social gatherings.”

Aerial view of the track in 2018 | Laguna Seca photo

The announcement was made just days after media reports that negotiations between the track’s new management and the new volunteer workers needed to stage a major event had broken down.

The Laguna Seca Volunteers Association was to take the place of the long-time Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula volunteer group under the new management plan. The breakdown in negotiations apparently revolved around the availability of county-mandated insurance coverage for the volunteers while they were at the track, which is owned by the County of Monterey.

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Regarding the Reunion cancelation, the track said it will refund all entry fees, as well as camping space and ticket purchases. 

The raceway will be available for private track rentals, officials noted.  

“While large public events and gatherings are not permissible under current state mandates, the County of Monterey Health Department has approved WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca’s reopening plan for private track rentals that have strict health and safety protocols,” the track said.

The track also said it would host a “Driver Appreciation Weekend” under the rental guidelines on August 8-9 so racers can exercise their vehicles on the historic circuit.

“We empathize with the participants who want to enjoy their cars at speed, many of whom have not had the opportunity to do so this year,” Narigi said. “The Driver Appreciation Weekend is designed to thank participants for their ongoing support, feedback and patience during these challenging times.”