Atlanta Motorsports Park Championship Summer Series Event 1

April 29, 2023

Dawsonville, GA — It was a perfect day for some racing on Saturday at Atlanta Motorsports Park in beautiful Dawsonville, Georgia. LRR’s very own Steve Newbold joined the broadcast team for the first car series of the summer season. The weather for the day’s events was almost perfect, overcast and mid 70’s. The day was action packed with all forms of motor-sports, Time Attack, Auto Cross, Spec Miata, Radical Down-force, Historic’s and the crowd’s favorite drift events.

The on-track action started before the very first heat race began for the Spec Miata class. (85) Blake Fabiani had some major engine trouble in the days leading up the race and had to rebuild his entire car for the event, he would go on to finish P3 in heat 1 . The on-track action included AMP regular Jose Garcia (00) battled with Keith Williamson (64) throughout the entire day on the 1.89 mile road course. Jose would pull to a lead, then Keith would swoop down like a hawk and over take him. This battle continued for the full length of the race (13 laps, 20 minute time intervals). Jose would finally edge Keith in the carousel (turn 4) and take his 00 to victory in an extremely close finish (.159).

Victory lane reporter Steve Newbold was able to get a quick interview with Jose at the conclusion of heat 1. Jose informed the crowd and all the viewers at home that he was having some serious mechanical issues throughout the race, his number 00 had stalled on him 4 times on the course. Jose (00) would lead the field to green in the final, followed by Keith Williamson (64), Blake Fabiani (85), Oliver Piatek (62), and Matt Saylor (37). Some other notable competitors DNF, Brian Bourne (800), Bill Kring (91), and Tyler Klein (73).

The 00 of Jose Garcia winner of heat 1 of the Spec Miata division.

Next up on the grid is the Down force/ Radical race cars. Just as in the Spec Miata race, this heat was just as hard fought. Chris Huhn (53) battled with Raiden Nicol (93) the entire duration of the race. The action was back and forth between both Chris and Raiden, Radien would edge Chris in a corner and Chris would come charging right back to challenge Raiden. The battle was finally determined with 3 laps to go when Chris edged by Raiden in turn 6 and held the lead to claim the victory.

Victory lane reporter Steve Newbold got a quick word from Chris after the race. Chris said it is always a privilege to race at AMP and there is always great competition in every field. Before we could get any more words with Chris, Raiden was already up and out of his car congratulating Chris on a hard fought race. It’s truly awesome seeing how close all of the competitors are at this venue, the sportsmanship is always top tier and so is the racing. Chris (53) would lead the field to green in the final followed by Raiden (93), Greg Folger (29), Pete Folger (77), William Leighton (3), David Mason (28), Mike Pascoe (121), Andrew Nagy (78) and Aaron Smith (83).

Chris Huhn’s 53 Radical racecar winner of heat 1 of the Downforce division.

The final class on the day was the Historic division. This division is made up of vintage sports cars, in the field today was vintage Porsche’s and vintage Miata’s. The race started with Robert Ryles taking a commanding lead in his vintage number 14 Miata. Robert would continue his domination throughout the race and go on to win the first heat. We got a quick word from Robert after the race, Victory lane reporter Steve Newbold joked with Robert asking how is a 90’s Miata considered vintage. Roberts reply made the entire crowd chuckle, he said well I know one thing I am vintage. Robert would lead the field to green for the final, followed by Greg Kimbrough (100), Neil Sullivan (16), Don Scott(133) and Charles Morris (562).

Robert Ryles climbing out of his Historic 90 Miata, winner of the Historics Division.

The final for the Spec Miata division did not disappoint. Again the battle was between Jose Garcia (00) and Keith Williamson (64). On track Jose and Keith battle all the way until the very last corner on the 16 turn road course. Keith edged Jose in turn 16 and crossed the line first. After a video review of the final restart it was determined that Keith had jumped the restart and was penalized. Jose would claim the victory in the first round of the AMP Summer Series. The Cinderella story of the day was Blake Fabiani (85). Blake had spent the entire day before the race rebuilding his engine and getting it ready for the race. He managed to pull the final spot on the podium with a P3 finish. The final order, Jose Garcia (00), Keith Williamson (64), Blake Fabiani (85), Oliver Piatek (62), and Matt Saylor (37).

Jose Garcia 00 winner of Round 1 of the AMP summer series Spec Miata division

Just like heat 1 of the Down-force Radical Racecars, the final was just as entertaining. The battle again was between Chris Huhn (53) and Raiden Nicol (93). Unfortunately for Raiden his day would end on lap 5 of the 16 lap final. We caught up with Raiden in the pits before the races conclusion and he informed us that his car was overheating and he had to pull the car off the course to avoid any more damage to the car. This incident would leave Chris Huhn (53) with a large lead, over 30 seconds, on the rest of the field. The finishing order, Chris Huhn (53), Greg Folger (29), David Mason (28), Pete Folger (77), William Leighton (3), Mike Pascoe (121), Andrew Nagy (78) and Raiden Ricol (93). We had a quick word with Chris after the race, he said he hated it for Raiden and wished his car could have held out for the remainder of the race so they could continue to battle.

Chris Hunh 53 Radical race car winner of round 1 of the AMP Summer Series Downforce Division.

After the race day events, a new and exciting event took place at AMP. AMP’d Up took over the facility, this was an event hosted by AMP partnered with the Dawson county Sheriffs department to give locals the opportunity to bring their cars to the track instead of street racing. The events included a drifting expo, pit maneuvers, auto cross and so many more demonstrations.

If you feel the need for speed and are in the North Georgia area please give our friends at Atlanta Motorsports Park a ring. They have everything you need for your need for speed, Public go-karts that exceed speeds of 55 mph. The kart track is open Tuesday- Sunday 1pm until dusk. Join LRR next weekend as we join the broadcast team for Round Two of the AMP Kart Racing Summer Series. Spectating is encouraged and who knows maybe you will find that itch for motor sports like we at LRR have. Remember STAY UNGOVERNABLE!