Written by Kimberly Boim, June 18, 2014, Courtesy of Dawson News & Advertiser
Atlanta Motorsports Park
A well-known magazine has ranked Dawsonville’s Atlanta Motorsports Park as one of the top 10 most-fun tracks in the country.
Grassroots Motorsports invited some of the big players on the racing scene to share their experiences about their favorite U.S. track, big or small.
Randy Pobst, the four-time Pirelli World Challenge Champion, two-time winner of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and Mazda factory driver with 70-plus professional wins under his wheels, rated AMP highly.
“When I first heard rumors of the construction of a new track in the Atlanta area, it was exciting – more is always better,” Pobst told Grassroots Motorsports. “My first visit to AMP, I went up on a motorcycle and I got a ride in a highly modified Volvo S60, of all things, owned by Zeke Massie. He’s one of the first guys to get a garage at the track … “
All drivers interviewed were asked about making a pass, the track’s magic moment, a newcomer tip, and what they would do if they were in charge of the track.
On the magic moment at AMP, Pobst said, “It’s not an easy track to figure out. It’s very hilly with a lot of elevation changes. Many of the corners are blind, which I really like. The track disappears over the crest of a corner five times at least, maybe six. It’s a roller coaster. I’m in road racing because I like the corners, and AMP has a lot . . . I think most people would call it a technical track, but that doesn’t sound like enough fun!”
AMP owner Jeremy Porter said he built the track in Dawsonville because of the area’s racing heritage, its proximity to Atlanta and the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.
“We’re a racing town–a racing community,” he said. “Look back at (former Mayor) Joe Lane Cox and his vision to make us a place synonymous with racing and a resort for our people who enjoy racing. The recognition is an honor for us, and it validates the decision of our members to join us.”
For newcomers to AMP, Pobst offers this advice:
“Most of the turns are medium- and low-speed until you get to the finish, which is a remake of one of the great corner complexes, Eau Rouge at the Spa circuit in Belgium. That means it’s fast, it goes uphill to the left, then it goes back to the right over a blind crest – decreasing radius, off-camber on the exit. My advice to a newbie is to treat that corner with great respect and apex late, late, late. It’s one of most challenging combination corners that I’ve seen anywhere outside the Nurburgring.”
Built in 2012, Atlanta Motorsports Park is the first green, sustainable motorsports facility and country club of its kind for high-performance cars, motorcycles and go-karts. To read more of the Grassrooots Motorsports article click here and flip to page 52.
Atlanta Motorsports Park
20 Duck Thurmond Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534
(678) 381-8527
www.atlantamotorsportspark.com
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