Photo: Spyder Monkey via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 / GFDL, cropped.
Back in 1969, David Sloyer and Earl Walker, spotted a potential in 750 acres of quiet farmland in Braselton, Georgia.
So what was their goal? They wanted to build a world class road circuit in the American South, something that could rival European circuits.
The construction of the track begin quickly, they built it in 6 months, which was unbelievable thing to do back in the day.
The Grand Opening – 1970
Finally in September 13 in 1970, Road Atlanta opened with a high profile Can-Am race.
The circuit was long 2.54 mile, 12 turn circuit, instantly caught attention for its fast corners.
And the most famous part of the track was, the long back straight plunging downhill into a tight breaking zone.
Drivers learned early that Road Atlanta demanded both caurage and precision.
A Stage for Many, But Not F1
However, over decades, this circuit has hosted a diverse range of motorsport: Can-Am, Formula 500, Nascar’s Busch serios and more other serios.
But F1 never raced there, despite its reputation for challenging circuit, Road Atlanta never made it onto the F1 calendar, leaving fans to wonder what an F1 race on this track might have looked like.
Thriving in the Modern Era
Far from fading into history, Road Atlanta is more alive today than ever. Now officially known as Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, the track remains a staple of American motorsport. Major events include:
- Petit Le Mans – A world-famous endurance race.
- MotoAmerica – Bringing top-level motorcycle racing to the circuit.
- Drift Atlanta – Filling the air with tire smoke and sideways action.
- The Mitty – A beloved vintage racing festival.
The circuit also serves as a venue for driving schools, manufacturer testing, and corporate track days, keeping it active year-round.
The Spirit of Road Atlanta
There is something special about standing in the paddock on race weekend, the air thick with the smell of fuel and the sound of engines bouncing off the hillsides, and the sight of cars flying past just meters away.
Why It’s a Legend Without F1
Some circuits become iconic without ever hosting F1, Road Atlanta proves that a circuit legacy is built on the passion it inspires, the variety of the events it hosts and the memories it creates for the fans and drivers.
Since its birth in 1970, it has stood as a proud reminder that great racing doesn’t have to fit into a single championship’s mold.
Why Formula 1 Never Came to Road Atlanta
Despite its reputation as one of America’s finest road courses, Road Atlanta never secured a place on the Formula 1 calendar.
In the late 1990s, track owner Don Panoz explored the idea and even met with F1 officials, but several obstacles proved insurmountable.
The hosting fee,reported to be around $10 million,was steep, especially when paired with the massive cost of upgrading facilities to FIA Grade 1 standards. This would have required new grandstands, hospitality buildings, an expanded pit complex, and improved access roads.
F1 decision-makers also saw the track’s location, about an hour from downtown Atlanta, as too remote for a global event expecting world-class infrastructure.
On top of that, Road Atlanta’s strong ties to sports car racing and events like Petit Le Mans made exclusivity agreements difficult. In the end, while the circuit had the character and challenge to host F1, financial, logistical, and commercial realities kept it from ever happening.
