Some things go together.
Baseball & hotdogs, fireworks on the 4th of July, and apple pie & Chevrolet come quickly to mind.
We should consider expanding that list a bit, especially after attending the tons-of-fun RevFest event by Classic Glass Corvette Club on August 5th.
We vote to add the Atlanta Motorsports Park (AMP) and a Corvette-exclusive car show to the list of things that go together. When you combine AMP’s two-mile, 16-turn road course with America’s Sports Car, you’ve got a match made in heaven.
And as you can see in the photo below, the Vette faithful were lined up to get on the track designed by famed Formula One road course architect Hermann Tilke.
Classic Glass Corvette Club of Marietta is well known for its annual SuperVette Saturday and VetteStock Corvette-only events. This inaugural RevFest, however, was a horse of a different color in a couple of significant ways.
We sat down with event organizer Steven Cassaniti during a free moment to glean additional insights.
Third All-Corvette Event
Rod Worley – Editor – Steven, congratulations on adding a third successful All-Corvette event to the calendar. For me, RevFest stands out because it’s held on a road course and it’s over an hour’s drive from where most of your club members live and meet.
Why take on the challenges of hosting an event so far from home, and do you plan on this being an annual event?
Steven Cassaniti – RevFest organizer – Thank you, Rod. Our club has always wanted to do a car show in the North Georgia area to expand our scope and attract new members. The opportunity arose actually when we were seeking donations for SuperVette Saturday. Atlanta Motorsports Park approached us.
Atlanta Motorsports Park (AMP) has always been generous in donating their “Taste of AMP” gift certificates for our events. This year they contacted us about hosting a car show at their venue.
Bob Catapano, our Events Manager, has often considered putting on an event in the North Georgia area. So, we jumped at the chance to combine a Corvette-exclusive car show with Atlanta Motorsports Park’s great 2-mile road course.
Since SuperVette Saturday is in May and VetteStock is in October, the suggested date in August was available in the middle of our event calendar. We’re also fortunate to have a strong event team and eager volunteers with years of experience to pull it off…. and I think we did!
Regarding adding RevFest to our annual calendar, we’ll do a debriefing with AMP and with club members very soon. But we’re certainly pleased with the turnout on a relatively short promotional window, notwithstanding the August weather.
We’ve got about 90 Corvettes registered for the show, and about 15 of those were doing the AMP hot laps. The obvious draw was to come out to this beautiful facility and get on the track, whether it was doing parade laps or running hot laps at speed.
This track event also gave us a chance to reach out to many of the Corvette clubs in the Atlanta area to come join us and be a part of this unique setting. I made a bunch of new friends.
Several clubs are here en masse, strengthening the Corvette lifestyle in Atlanta.
Hot Laps At AMP
Whether you took advantage of the hot laps or not, the Atlanta Motorsports Park facility undeniably was the big draw for this event.
Those signed up through AMP (and paid the $250) to run hot laps (track time) were treated to a professionally prepared, technically challenging, and downright fun road course. We caught up with Syl, the Activities Director for Corvette Cruisers of Atlanta, to get his thoughts.
Rod Worley – Editor – Syl, can you give us an overview of your track day experience and how your C8 compares to your previous C6 on the road course?
Syl Yelle – CCA Activities Director – Rod, considering this was my second time on this track, I did a follow-the-leader for the first session.
I was out on my own for the second, third, and fourth sessions, and I had a blast. I had an absolute blast.
It’s a very technical track you can enjoy regardless of horsepower. We had four sessions at about 20 minutes each for this track event. AMP inspected your car in the North Paddock before you got out on the track.
So in an hour, you ran the track for 20 minutes with a 40-minute break to catch your breath, rehydrate, let the car cool down, and get back in line. It had a non-stop pace all day long.
Now which handled the track better, my C8 or my previous C6? I had more track time with the C6, so I was more comfortable with its limitations.
The sixth generation would skip out a little bit on corners and warn me. I know the C8 handles better, and I’ll feel comfortable pushing it harder as I get more time on the track.
So yes, I had a great time and would do it again.
USA Reflections Auto Spa
Rod Worley – Editor – Brian, thank you for actively supporting SuperVette Saturday, VetteStock, RevFest, and other car shows around Atlanta.
Not only do you support them, but you’re also out there walking the show and advising owners who want more depth and shine from their paint.
Tell us more about the services your business provides.
Brian Marusa – Owner – USA Reflections Auto Spa – You’re right, Rod. I enjoy supporting car shows, walking the event, and answering questions about paint correction.
There are so many products on the market today. How do you know which one is right for your specific vehicle?
At USA Reflections Auto Spa / Ceramic Pro Alpharetta, our number one priority is building lasting relationships with our clients. We do that by getting to know the client and what they expect.
The services we provide include: Executive Detail, Paint Correction, Ceramic Coating, Window Tinting, Paint Protection Film (PPF), Custom Vinyl Installation, Interior Detail, and Minor Accessory Installation.
We can offer a one-stop location for automotive owners to have their cars brought to a level of beauty many times better than the day they bought it.
Also, we’re a CarFax Service Center, so we can add our ceramic coating to the CarFax database, which adds value to your car.
Primal Racing School
Do a few track sessions at Atlanta Motorsports Park (AMP), and you’ll realize you’d be faster with professional training. That’s where Primal Racing School can help.
Based at AMP, Primal Racing was founded by a group of motorsport enthusiasts. They had a vision to create a one-stop shop offering racers everything they need to find success on the track.
Primal Racing is a Sports Car Club of America accredited racing school offering beginner and advanced programs showcasing the power and performance of the Radical SR1: the entry-level sportscar from the manufacturer that won Car of the Year at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Their mission is to create the racers of tomorrow by combining the best traditions with the latest innovations. Their instructors offer a fresh perspective on race driver training that focuses on nurturing fully-rounded drivers from the inside out.
They offer expert training for budding racers of all skill levels – from complete novices to advanced racers and everything in between.
100 Things To Do
The beautiful blue sky day at AMP wasn’t all racing and shiny fenders. The event attracted a host of vendors, including Karon Warren and her new book.
As you know, Corvette clubs are always searching for unique places to caravan to on a Saturday. After a couple of years, most clubs need more ideas.
This is where Karon Warren and her book, “100 Things To Do In The North Georgia Mountains Before You Die,” step in.
In Karon’s guide, you’ll find some of the best experiences throughout the region, sample itineraries, and insider tips outlined here to inspire even the most seasoned traveler.
The experiences run the gamut from visiting Georgia’s highest point at Brasstown Bald, tracking down Sasquatch at Expedition Bigfoot, or picking apples at R&A Orchards during the Fall.
With Karon’s book, you’ll find more than enough to do during your day trip.
Lanier Corvettes Unlimited
You’ll find members of Lanier Corvettes Unlimited at car shows and track days around Georgia’s capital city. This fun-loving North Metro Atlanta club stays active 12 months out of the year.
Initially founded by five Corvette-loving owners in 1991, this group of Vette enthusiasts keeps the camaraderie rolling today. One of the many events they support is the annual Flowery Branch Car Show.
This year’s 17th annual event is on the calendar for Saturday, September 9th, 2023, rain or shine. Think we’re kidding?
Our soggy tale from last year’s show can be found here: Even In The Rain Lanier Corvettes Unlimited Shows They Can Deliver.
Proceeds from the car show benefit the Children’s Center for Hope & Healing.
Screeching Tires & Big Smiles
Those who attended RevFest may have left tire rubber on AMP’s adrenaline-pumping road course, but they took home big smiles.
The smiles carried over to those Corvette owners vying for the “Peoples Choice” trophies.
Something else that made everyone smile was the sound of screeching tires and the roar of small block V8s pushing hard on the track. It was music to the ears of pilots of America’s Sports Car.
Looking back on this sun-drenched day, we’re unsure how it could be better. Except to say, let’s run it back next year!
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