About this event
We need additional instructors for this event! Instructors willing to provide in-car instruction should contact Registrar Gary Edwards at Gary@gwedwards.org or call 757 831 9556 to discuss qualifications and facilitate registration. There is no event registration fee for instructors.
We've decided to add a Women Only Novice Class - we don't have very many instructors, so there are only a few places available in this class, so sign up now, and if full go on the wait list. As we recruit more instructors we can accept more drivers in this class.
Join us at Atlanta Motorsports Park for a fun ending to our Star Summit Multi-Event Weekend on Monday October 7th. Atlanta Motorsports Park is in Dawsonville, approximately 40 minutes (32 miles) from Halcyon. This is a challenging 2 mile track designed by Hermann Tilke with plenty of elevation changes. We will have experienced instructors to help you learn or perfect these skills. The track is technically challenging enough to require concentration and practice to master it.
As with our other MBCA Performance Driving Academy events, this is not a race, and it will not be timed for trophies. Even if you are the fastest car, Toto Wolf is not going to call you Tuesday morning to try out for Lewis Hamilton’s seat in F-1. However, drivers will receive a certificate that allows them to purchase an MBCA SPORTFAHRER VEREIN grill badge (Association of Sporting Drivers).
Helmet Requirements: Snell (SA) 2015 or later helmets are required. Motorcycle (MA) helmets are not acceptable. Equal restraints are required, meaning the car must be equipped with the same seat belt or harness for passenger and driver. Cars must have at a minimum lap belts and shoulder belts. We unfortunately do NOT have loaner helmets, so you must bring your own.
Car Requirements: You do not have to drive a Mercedes, but open cars/convertibles require additional rollover protection unless the manufacturer certifies the open car as having rollover protection. The following open cars/convertibles have acceptable rollover protection in stock form: all Mercedes-Benz cabriolets and roadsters 1990 and on, Mercedes R107s with hardtops in place, Lotus Elise/Exige, Evora, all Porsche Targas, 914s, and Boxster and Carrera 1997 on, Ferrari 308, 328 and folding hardtops, later Honda S2000. Other open cars must have an SCCA-approved competition roll bar with forward or aft bracing and diagonal cross brace. The factory Lotus/Caterham "street" type roll bars are not sufficient.
All open cars must run with the top up or must have arm restraints for both the driver and instructor.
A technical inspection is required for each HPDE car prior to the event. Pre-Event Tech Inspection Sheet Revised Oct 2024 REV 1.pdf
Advanced life support emergency medical technicians will be on site along with corner workers.
We'll limit the event to a maximum of 30 students, with in-car instruction for novice and intermediate group drivers (and for any drivers upon request). There will be mandatory classroom instruction for novice and intermediate drivers not yet approved for solo. It is possible for two drivers to share the same car, but the two drivers will need to be capable of driving in different run groups. You do not have to be an MBCA member. The fee is $300 per person.
We will also include the Performance Driving Experience (PDE). This program is designed to give drivers a taste of performance driving so they can try it out and see if it's for them. It includes classroom sessions, an on-track session as a passenger with an instructor, and a track session with an instructor at no greater than highway speed. Helmets and tech inspection sheets are not required for PDE and the cost is only $100.
Note for Instructors: If you are interested in instructing for this event and you haven't instructed for us before, contact Chief Instructor Dr. Jim Roberts at (205) 529-0071 or at jertoothsaver@bellsouth.net; he'll want your driving history and contact information. Once approved, you'll see an option to register as an instructor. If you see this option on the registration form, then you are already approved.
Plan to arrive by 7 am; we should have registration open by then. We'll need to look at your helmets, collect your tech sheets and check that the battery is secure. We'll have our driver's meeting at 8 AM, followed by instructors meeting with their students. We'll do parade laps at reduced speed at 8:30 so those not familiar with the track can get a look. We'll plan to have the first cars on the track by 9:00 and the classroom session for the instructed drivers will start at about that time too. You should plan to be at the track early. We'll have a Food Truck available around lunch time. We'll quit for the day by 5 PM. There will be plenty of track time for all.
We'll run the event rain or shine. No alcohol use at the track until after the last cars have come off the track.
You'll be asked to sign two waivers at the gate - one is the MBCA waiver and one is the track waiver.
Event requirements
All drivers must have a valid drivers license and must have a helmet rated at SNELL (SA) 2015 or later (except PDE). Motorcycle (MA) helmets are not acceptable. Equal restraints are required for driver and passenger for any cars that will have an instructor or passenger on board. A technical inspection is required for each HPDE car prior to the event. Use the form provided and bring to the track with you. There will be a brief pre-inspection at the track as well. There will be no consumption of alcoholic beverages until after all cars have completed their sessions for the day. PDE cars do not require a pre-event technical inspection.
Car Requirements: Rollover protection required for convertibles. Open cars/convertibles require additional rollover protection unless the manufacturer certifies the open car as having rollover protection. The following open cars/convertibles have acceptable rollover protection in stock form: all Mercedes-Benz cabriolets and roadsters 1990 and on, Mercedes R107s with hardtops in place, Lotus Elise/Exige, Evora, all Porsche Targas, 914s, and Boxster and Carrera 1997 on, Ferrari 308, 328 and folding hardtops, later Honda S2000. Other open cars must have an SCCA-approved competition roll bar with forward or aft bracing and diagonal cross brace. The factory Lotus/Caterham "street" type roll bars are not sufficient.
Drivers with previous track experience will be asked to list their last three years of experience on the registration form, including dates (month and year), track, what organization put on the event, and what run group you were in. Drivers willing to instruct should contact Chief Instructor Dr. Jim Roberts (email and phone number in event description) or registrar Gary Edwards (757 831 9556 or gary@gwedwards.org.
All open cars must run with the top up or must have arm restraints for both driver and instructor.
Technical Inspection form: Pre-Event Tech Inspection Sheet rev Jan 2022.docx
