Atlanta Motor Speedway has opened its camping facilities to evacuees seeking refuge from Hurricane Dorian.
The Speedway will provide free camping space for dry RV and tent campers in the Legends Campground. AMS is equipped to handle thousands of campers during its annual NASCAR weekend.
A limited number of camping spaces with water, power and sewer are also available for $20 per night in the Premier Campground.
AMS will open the Rinnai Shower Station camper bath house adjacent to the campgrounds, to allow evacuees free access to hot showers and restroom facilities.
In recent years, AMS has opened its grounds to those seeking refuge from powerful storms. During Hurricane Irma in 2017, the speedway hosted more than 100 campers. In 2018, dozens more stayed in AMS’s camping areas during Hurricanes Florence and Michael.
Tyler Head, communications coordinator for AMS, said the speedway has already begun welcoming evacuees in preparation for Dorian.
“Over the weekend, we had about 30 of them arrive,” said Head. “Most of them are from the [Florida] peninsula, but we had a few of them arrive from coastal Georgia. Since the track of this storm has changed, I wouldn’t be surprised if we had some people arrive from the Carolinas. Last year we had some folks come from that area when Hurricane Florence came through.”
Head did not give an estimate for how many more people might take refuge at AMS in the coming days.
“It’s hard to get a gauge on how many more will come through, but we’re ready for them, however many there may be,” he said.
Head said evacuees have responded positively, thus far, to their experience at AMS.
“I’ve talked to a couple of people, and they’ve been very happy with the accommodations here,” he said. “We try to have a welcoming place to be all the time, but especially when people are going through what they are going through.”
Head said local residents have also been helpful toward evacuees at AMS. One unnamed man, he said, has provided snacks, an ice machine and other items for them.
“The community around us looks for ways they can help, and they come through when there are times of need,” said Head.
AMS Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Hutchison said the speedway is “uniquely suited” to provide refuge for hurricane evacuees. Doing so, he said, “is simply the right thing to do.”
“Our staff is maintaining an open line of communication with local emergency management officials to keep track of Dorian’s projected path,” said Hutchison. “We encourage anyone who chooses to stay at the speedway to continue watching the storm’s forecasted movement and have a plan of action should Dorian come this way.”
Those interested in RV or tent camping in the free Legends campground at AMS should enter the facility at Entrance “E” off Highway 19/41.
For the Premier Campground, campers should go to the AMS main entrance off Highway 19/41. The Premier Campground is on the left at the security command post.
For on-site assistance or directions, visit the ticket office/gift store building. For more information, call AMS at (770) 946-4211 or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.
