Atlanta folks, who has been to this? Is it any fun? How does it compare to somewhere like victory lane in charlotte?

(Girlfriend is thinking about taking me there for my birthday to blow some loot.)

 

If this is the one I am thinking of, its pretty much the same kart-wise (they might have one more hp, can't recall). The track layout however is much better IMO than VLK and the facilities are way way nicer. BTW, you can get stuck in (or should I say under) the tires

 

so it's worth showing up and dropping $100 or so for some fun? any hints on good times to show up so there is some competition, but not real ugly lines?

Anyone else?

 

You might ask this at the http://www.siatlanta.com forum. Those guys have a meet over there about every week. In fact I think their front page pic was taken there. They can prolly help you out...

 

ive been to the place once, and liked it. havent been to the charlotte one.

as for if its worth dropping $100, well, that depends on what your income is, no?

 

It is F'ing awesome! I went there with a few friends and your $$ leaves your wallet right quick! They give you some cheap, but cool Sparco gear (full suit and crappy head sock.) If I were to give you one bit of advice it would be to keep the momentem going! These are not shifter carts, so it is easy to fall out of the powerband. Use alot of the track so you can keep the speed up, not necessarily what is the shortest distance around the track. The brakes GRAB! Holy crap it is so easy to lock a wheel on the carts. It makes a loud as screech too because of the floor. Dont be afraid to make some noise though as it is a great indicator of the threshold. Turn 1 is pretty damn cool because you brake hard to get ready for the tight left-hander. So yea, go and blow tons of money and you will have lots of fun

P.S. Make sure you dont hit the brakes while you are on the gas. You will get alll twisted up with that method

 

Competition huh?
I'll be your huckleberry (with props to Shuggles).

When were you planning to go?

 

You guys drop me a line if you plan to go. I am always up for taking on Giles at the ole carts. I may not be as good a driver, but at least I have the power to weight advantage!

Andretti is a good facility. The track layout is technical yet has some fast fun sections, the surface is in great shape, and the cars are usually in good working order. The price is a little high. I wish Goldspeed would come back.

 

i may be able to come out for a run around andretti with some HT people. post it up here if someone is going

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SPiFF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wish Goldspeed would come back.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Me sooooooo too.

IMO Andretti doesn't come close in any way (especially in price) to Goldspeed. Been there about 4 times now (Andretti) and after each time I always go home saying that this will be my last time I'll spend another dollar there. Yet I still go back! (That's what how desperate I am for some/any karting.)

Andretti, lets see... karts: had 2 karts with corded tires (and I mean huge cords bulging out), 1 kart with brake cable cut or broken, 1 kart blew its engine wasting a 1/3rd of my session, and the rest of them push like snow plows everywhere, not to mention that each kart felt like its making a different HP every time. Maybe it's just bad luck, but I've had enough of it to stay away from there for a "while". The track design could also be a LOT better. If you're racing against someone with anywhere near the same speed as you, there is no way you can make a clean pass anywhere. The only way you can get around is by bumping the guy. Goldspeed's track was so much better in passing zones and for setting people up, not to mention more technical and flowing. Oh and 50 bucks for like 3 sessions (15 minutes total?) is such a rip off, too! Well sorry for sounding a little bitter, but that's because I am. The perfect karting place (goldspeed) compared to this (andretti) that I went to regularly for over 3 years, driving 50+ mins 1 way to get to, closed. So after being so spoiled with those karts (faster top speeds and way better handling/rotation), a much better track for racing, and a WAY better price (less than half as expensive as andretti), yeah I'm a little bitter that Andretti is what survives. Guess having a name (and a good location) goes a lot farther than having quality, but what's new? Oh well, I'll probably end up going back to andretti one of these days, again...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Competition huh?
I'll be your huckleberry (with props to Shuggles).

When were you planning to go?</TD></TR></TABLE>

"Well skin that smokewagon, boy. Go on, skin it."

Should be going sometime during the 2nd weekend of July (12-13) although I would move it around to get more competition. I am jonesing like mad here.

 

I've been there about ten times and been much more fortunate than Alex. I've always had good karts with good tires. I haven't been in about 8 or 9 months though, so maybe things have fallen off a bit lately?

Last time I was there the cost was something like $20 per 10 minute session or $50 for 3 sessions. Expensive sure, but still a better seat time/cash ratio than autocross (sorry guys, its true. So very very true).
Goldspeed was very nice indeed, but at 90 minutes from my front door it wasn't practical for me. A moot point now.

And yes, you do have to punt and rough somebody up to make a pass at Andretti, but thats part of the fun of Karting for me. I like doing those things I'd never do in a "real" race.

My last weekend in Atlanta is next weekend (28/29). If any of you guys want to schedule something Saturday afternoon (it gets CROWDED at night) I'd be up for it.
Bowie? Next weekend?
Be aware that the Renee unit would be there. Given that she actually knows what she's doing, is hugely aggressive (right Zsolt? ), and has a major weight advantage on most of us... it can be humbling. She has many accomplished racers and autocrossers on her Andretti smackdown list (And a couple of BWMCCA guys who were loudly snickering about "the girl with her own helmet" before the session. She roughed them both up pretty bad).

And I'll be bringing a 50lb lead block for Alex's kart if he decides to come.

Scott, who weighs 225 and has to do some serious "defensive driving" in karts against folks like Renee, Alex, and Zsolt.

 

I am not sure about next weekend, I wasn't planning to come down there, but that could change.

If I can get the motor out of the squareback quick enough, we might be down for this saturday....but we are going to the braves game that night....crap.

Let me find out about next saturday, it's my birthday, so I get to win, right?

 

Let me know.
We'll be in the process of moving me, but a break for some karting will be a really good thing.
I'm sure Renee and I could come (barring major disaster). Zsolt might come as well. I'm not sure I even want Alex to be there .

Nevertheless, we could organize some serious competition. But again it needs to be in the afternoon on Saturday. You get 1+ hour waits after about 6 or 7 pm.
It's the Birthday Boy's call...

 

This is the same place we went when I picked up the CRX right?

 

yep.

 

I made the trek from NJ to visit family and to visit Speed Lab. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Well I do have 1 more run left on my card that I have to waste before the year's up, but something came up and I don't think I can make it this weekend.

I wana hear results after you all go!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Be aware that the Renee unit would be there. Given that she actually knows what she's doing, is hugely aggressive (right Zsolt? ), and has a major weight advantage on most of us... it can be humbling.</TD></TR></TABLE>

No kidding. It is rather common to punt for a pass at Andretti, though most people just slam into the back of you so you miss your turn in. Renee on the other hand does it police style to make sure you are facing oncoming traffic and have no chance to catch back up. She is just mean (and a great driver to boot). Just not fair.

Alex, Goldspeed was great. I think I was only up there 2 times before they closed. The distance was evil and I didn't like the skating rink like waxed surface. The surface at Andretti feels more like a race track to me. I am with Giles, the carts at Andretti have been very predictable for me. Sure there are some dogs, but you can tell which ones those are just by watching a few rounds. We just point Giles to those and then we can listen to him talk about how it was all the cart!

We need to call up Towne and Blake as well. I am up for Sat.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">We need to call up Towne and Blake as well. I am up for Sat.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I am in Myrtle Beach this weekend....
Scott, sorry to hear that this is your last weekend in the area. Hope the move goes well. Talk to you soon. See you around.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by madhatter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I am in Myrtle Beach this weekend....
Scott, sorry to hear that this is your last weekend in the area. Hope the move goes well. Talk to you soon. See you around. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Guys, if this happens (50% chance) it would be NEXT weekend...Saturday the 28th.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RacerBowie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Guys, if this happens (50% chance) it would be NEXT weekend...Saturday the 28th.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep.
Reading is Fundementil.

And Renee does get pretty brutal in the karts. I can't decide whether to be a proud boyfriend or pissed off. As mentioned, she has "police spun" both Zsolt and Heath McMillan, followed the aforementioned BMWCCA guy around the track for 2 laps just smacking his back bumper repeatedly (like a cat toying with an injured mouse, it was pretty bad. But he asked for it I guess) before punting him into a wall, and ran me into a wall making a pass (which I got kicked out for.. "C'mon sir, you don't expect us to believe the <U>woman</U> was the one doing the rough driving do you?"). Man. That was a pisser. She's still laughing about that one.

And Towne and I should get dibs on the fastest karts over all you damned 150lb weasels. A 70lb weight disadvantage is no small hurdle in an 11hp kart.
But at any rate I can beat you guys if I start in front of you. I can make those karts W I D E.

 

I might have to join in with you guys. its been awhile sicne i've raced the karts there

 

Okay, let's do it! It means driving down to ATL a minimum of 5 weekends in a row, but what the hell, you only live once.

I saw mention of bringing your own helmet. Is that allowed/preferred?

 

Last time I was there own helmet was allowed and definately preferred.

Lets do Saturday the 28th at 5pm.
Does that work?