Race cars bound for transformed Summerhill street this week

An Atlanta street that’s sprung to life with retail, a variety of housing, and the city’s first new transit line in decades is set to transform into a Formula 1 playground this week, despite recent concerns voiced by neighbors and MARTA officials. 

Just south of downtown, Red Bull Showrun Atlanta, an F1 exhibition, is set to take over several blocks of Hank Aaron Drive from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday and pack in curious spectators.

The course for the public event—which is free and considered family friendly—will begin on Hank Aaron Drive just south of Fulton Street, near the Olympic Cauldron under threat of being moved across downtown. 

From there, the F1 cars on display will roar down to Georgia Avenue at Georgia State University’s Center Parc Stadium and take a right before ending at a short street called Panther Walk between apartment communities. 

According to an event map, street closures will be in place at more than a half-dozen sites around the blocks in question. 

Red Bull emphasizes the two-hour event, a partnership with Ford Racing, isn’t a competitive race but a “thrilling showcase of speed and skill” with championship-winning race cars, all meant to deliver “a taste of elite motorsports in the heart of Atlanta.” 

A City of Atlanta events calendar describes the event as “a chance to witness a Formula 1 car and professional drivers up close and personal in a demonstration of the car’s speed and power on our city’s streets.” 

A permit for the event is still pending, per the city posting. 

While some neighbors have applauded the Red Bull event’s economic boost and attention for the area, Summerhill NPU leadership recently told Atlanta News First the F1 showcase has interfered with construction progress of MARTA’s new Rapid A-Line—the first bus rapid transit route in metro Atlanta—in that the installation of red paint for bus lanes has been halted, to avoid damaging it. The event was moved to Summerhill after safety concerns were raised regarding the initial location in Midtown near Piedmont Park, per an NPU official. 

MARTA officials told the news station earlier this month they’ve notified the city and Red Bull about potential impacts on service and construction along the Rapid A-Line. 

Red Bull organizers advise anyone interested in attending the showcase to arrive early to secure a viewing spot along the route. Beyond the track, expect festival-like event zones with viewing screens, food and drink options, and activations. 

Here's an event map to help paint the picture: 

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