The video below shows a turn by turn comparison of an actual hot lap on the Road Atlanta track –  picture in picture – with the video game graphics from Forza – not bad…not bad at all.

Of course, we’d love for you to come out to the track in person – so put down that video controller and visit us during the 2010 Petit Le Mans – click here for details.

The Formula Drift® competition at Road Atlanta will be conducted in the Turn 10 complex, a right left-right-hand combination that will require the drifting competitors to quickly change direction while in full drift mode. The competition will include Friday qualifying to determine a 16-car field for the finals Saturday, with two cars paired together on consecutive runs (one leads, then they switch). A panel of professional drifting drivers will determine the bracket winners.

Drift Atlanta VIII — May 6-7, 2011

BUY TICKETS

#6 Car Corrals

Car Corrals – Petit Le Mans not only has a wide variety of race cars during the weekend - they also have a large selection of car corrals. You won’t be able to miss the Porsche, Corvette, Pennzoil/Ferrari and Audi corrals lining the infield! Make sure to bring your camera, you can bet there will be some rarities!

Plus fans can walk around in the paddock area and see the inner workings of the crews up close and personal – feel the burn.

For more info, visit Road Atlanta’s website by clicking here.

#7 Eleven Races in Four Days

Seven Feature Racing Series and Eleven Races in 4 days! – Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda2 will be hosting a thrilling lineup of support races once again. The SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series and USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda will debut at Petit Le Mans, and of course there will be the popular Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama, Skip Barber National Series Championship presented by Mazda, Cooper Tires Prototype Lites and more. There’s something for everyone!

Thursday’s and Friday’s busy schedule includes:

• American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón qualifying
• Cooper Tires Prototype Lites
• Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear
• Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama
• SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series
• USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda
• Skip Barber National Championship presented by Mazda

# 8 Patron Sports Bar

Sports Bar and Club Patrón – Make yourself comfortable at the Road Atlanta Sports Bar or Club Patron!  You will find live feed of the race, food, drinks and beautiful models, what else could you ask for?  Find these two great hang outs located in the infield.

Even in the rain last year – this was the hottest spot on the infield at Road Atlanta – lots of music, beautiful people and of course Patron cocktails!

To learn more about Petit LeMans at Road Atlanta – Click Here!

Reason #9

Audi and Peugeot Rivalry – Audi and Peugeot will go head-to-head at Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda2 at Road Atlanta, October 2- the first and only time this year the two teams will rival each other in the US! You don’t want to miss this! Audi did not compete at the 58th Annual Mobil 1 12 Hours Of Sebring Presented by Fresh from Florida as Peugeot brought home a 1-2 finish. And who can forget the incredible battle at the 24 Heures du Mans? The historic race ended with Audi taking the lead and finishing 1-2-3 after Peugeot had a series of mechanical problems which resulted in all of their cars retiring before the end of the race. Petit Le Mans will surely determine the best team and provide plenty of great action for the fans!

For more info on this and other Petit LeMans fan facts…click here.

It’s not too late to purchase your tickets to the most exciting racing event in the Atlanta Metro area. The 2010 Petit Le Mans is just around the corner, and you won’t want to miss out on the fun.

Click here to visit the online ticket store.

Reason #10

Intercontinental Le Mans Cup - This year, for the first time ever, Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda2 will be the sole North American stop of a new global sports car championship called the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Created by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the inaugural Intercontinental Le Mans Cup is comprised of one marquee endurance race in Europe, North America (Petit Le Mans) and Asia. It will decide a true International champion!

Originally conceived for LMP1 manufacturers, the ACO has expanded the Cup to include a championship for GT2 manufacturers and also team championships for all four ACO-sanctioned classes. That means International Heavyweights including Audi, Peugeot, Porsche, Ferrari and other new competitors are expected to come over from Europe and race at Petit Le Mans this fall.

For more info on the 2010 Petit LeMans Powered by Mazda…click here.

In the good old days, danger was an accepted part of the deal, and we think a scintilla of fear makes for a more challenging competition venue. Of course, we aren’t featuring all of them—some stellar circuits, such as Mid-Ohio, didn’t make the ultimate cut, and this will certainly inspire heated online arguments. But, hey, isn’t that what the Internet is for?

Old-timers swear this track was ruined in 1998 when new owner Don Panoz inserted a chicane into the long back straight, thus bypassing the infamous dip prior to the blind last corner.

But they’re wrong: This undulating ribbon is still one of the most exciting places to drive a car, any car. And it’s insanely quick. The only truly slow corners are the chicane and Turn Seven, which leads onto the back straight. We love the blind approach to Turn 12 and how you have to carry the precise amount of speed up the front straightaway into Turn One. The stretch out of that corner into Turn Five is like running through a huge soup ladle with curves in it.

The track feels like it’s in Gone with the Wind country, but it’s less than 50 miles from downtown Atlanta. Swells can stay at Panoz’s Chateau Elan resort if they can’t abide Atlanta traffic.

WHERE IT IS: Braselton, Georgia

WHEN IT OPENED: September 1970

LENGTH, NUMBER OF TURNS: 2.54 miles, 12

HOW TO GET ON IT: Skip Barber (www.skipbarber.com) invites you to one of its schools here. Clubs—such as Porsche and BMW—rent the facility, but individuals have to contact the track for pricing and insurance information (800-849-7223). (www.roadatlanta.com)

HISTORICAL NOTE: An open field became a racetrack in just six months after Can-Am officials awarded the Bridgehampton race to Road Atlanta’s founders.

Click here for the full article in Car and Driver magazine.