Beginning in January of 2019, Michelin North America and Road Atlanta will further their existing partnership and make history at the north Georgia race track, as it officially becomes Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Michelin is writing a new page in the history books at Road Atlanta, as it becomes the first-ever entitlement partner of the track. Equally as significant, Michelin will lend its name to a race track for the first time in its existence.
Currently, Michelin North America serves as the Official Tire Partner at Road Atlanta. The front straight bridge is branded with the tire company’s iconic Michelin Man, as are many other signs throughout the 750-acre property. As soon as the clock rolls into the new year, Michelin’s existing presence at Road Atlanta will be substantially increased, as naming rights to the entire road racing facility will be transferred to the global tire company.
“Michelin has been racing for more than 125 years as a way to improve tire performance, discover new technologies and bring the highest quality tires to our vehicle manufacturer partners and consumers,” said Scott Clark, chairman and president of Michelin North America. “This is the first time globally that Michelin will have naming rights with a race circuit. Road Atlanta, as an iconic race track with a rich history and a natural link to the Michelin heritage of global endurance racing, provides us with a tremendous opportunity to engage with our partners and consumers.”
In addition to renaming the facility, the Michelin partnership will serve as the cornerstone for the new Michelin Tower to be constructed in place of the existing control tower along the front straight.Demolition of the current control tower will begin as teams move out of the paddock following this weekend’s 21st Annual Motul Petit Le Mans. Crews are set to work around the clock for the next year to complete construction of the state-of-the-art four-story building in time for an expected grand opening at next year’s Motul Petit Le Mans.
Plans for the new building include a 300-person hospitality/event space on the first floor, a media center and broadcast booths on the second floor, six hospitality suites on the third floor, and four hospitality suites and Race Control on the fourth floor. There will also be a rooftop viewing deck and a fully-equipped catering kitchen built into the structure.
Michelin’s affiliation with Road Atlanta dates back to the early days of the race track, which was completed in 1970, after just six months of construction. Michelin tires have competed on the hallowed grounds of Road Atlanta for decades and Michelin has used their racing success to continuously improve their product line. The race track has always served as a testing ground for Michelin tires, and now Michelin North America’s home track will proudly display the name.
“Michelin’s legacy at Road Atlanta runs deep, and these moves will, without question, drive that legacy even further,” said Geoff Lee, president and general manager at Road Atlanta. “Michelin and Road Atlanta’s histories intersect at so many points that it would be impossible to separate them, and this partnership will solidify that bond. This venue entitlement and the new building are something that we’ve been working towards for a very long time, so it can’t be over-stated how monumental it is as this finally comes to fruition. To have such a forward-thinking partner in Michelin has afforded even more stability to this top-rated international destination – stability that will be noticeable to fans, teams, clients and more. To say that we are beyond thrilled to become Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in 2019 would be radically understating our position.”
Michelin’s current involvement as the Official Tire Partner of Road Atlanta will continue into the new partnership in 2019, giving total naming rights of the facility, the new tower and the tire category to the Greenville, S.C.-based company.
