Atom race season opens at VIR.

By Freddie Heaney
Photos by Moore Good Ink

TMI Autotech recently hosted the opening races of their 2013 Spec Race Atom season. Using the 1.650-mile South Course at Virginia International Raceway, twenty-two Atoms took to the track.

In Saturday’s first practice session Tyson Bytzek recorded a 1:12.947—the fastest time of the weekend. Christian Shield and Frank Ward completed the top three slots.

On the second practice session, Bytzek again ran the fastest time followed by Shield and David Chen.

But on Sunday’s qualifying Chen claimed pole position, one tenth of a second separating him from Bytzek. 

In Race One, David Chen set fastest lap with a time of 1:14.550 while Bztzek took victory. Chen, Shield, Bruce Duff and James Williams claimed the remaining podium positions.

 

In Race Two, Christian Shield triumphed ahead of David Chen and Bytzek. James Williams and John Williams drove to 4th and 5th places

See practice, qualifying and race results at: http://www.mylaps.com/en/events/906921

Afterwards Tyson, who set fastest lap in race two at 1:14.38, said “To me, the best part of racing the Atom is its seat-of-the-pants driving sensation.”

 

“For my birthdays, I’d treat myself to two racing weekends each year, the total cost of which was around $10,000. Not surprisingly, my Spec Race Atom program gives me a lot more racing for a lot less money.”

Brian Yates

 

Tyson Bytzek (40) enjoys a busy career and is not always able to devote unlimited time to the sport, so the Spec Race Atom series has been the perfect balance.

“I knew if I didn’t do this now I would never race, he says. Plus the arrive-and-drive aspect in a modern safe car and at a modern safe track appealed. Above all in terms of time and financial demands, it’s perfect.”

Tyson Bytzek

 

Source
TMI AutoTech
1025 Raceplex Road #A,
Alton, VA 24520
Telephone (434) 822-9130
www.arielatom.com