The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame has an event planned for Saturday that will celebrate recent additions to the museum as well as recognize the non-profit organization that now runs it.

Gordon Pirkle, president of the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, said the "grand re-opening" will have car shows, autograph signings and "lots of good food."

It kicks off at 7:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and car show. Later in the day, hamburgers will be served.

Pirkle said the event celebrates the creation of the Chase Elliott Fan Club Section. Chase is the son of local racing legend Bill Elliott.

"It has a nice mural painted on the wall and about four or five of his cars in front of it," Pirkle said. "He'll be running his fan club out of the museum there."

Pirkle said Saturday's event also helps "bring attention" to the fact that the museum is now run by a non-profit organization.

In September 2010 the Dawsonville City Council, which had overseen museum operations since 2008, returned managing control to a group of longtime volunteers in an effort to move the hall of fame forward.

Located at the Dawsonville Municipal Complex, the museum houses a collection of donated or on-loan stock cars, trophies and racing memorabilia.

The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame opened its doors nine years ago, in May 2002. Saturday's "grand re-opening" will be the first of its kind since the museum opened, Pirkle said.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call (678) 283-6100.