This week was a fun opportunity to get back to Atlanta Motorsports Park, which I haven’t had a chance to visit for the past several years. It was a welcome return, too, because since my last visit, they have made some additions to the property, including garage/condo units. Plus, the track location is in the foothills of the Georgia mountains, so the lower temperature and humidity levels were a nice change!
The day was all about getting a young go-kart racer transitioned into cars, and although it wasn’t his first time in a race car, it was his first time driving a spec MX-5. The specific nuances to this car, compared to many other race cars, include ABS brakes and an H-pattern gearbox, which requires the use of the clutch on every shift.
It’s an interesting challenge that these traditional sports cars present: so many of the road cars and GT race cars these days have paddle-shift gearboxes, so heel-toe downshifting and just gear changes in general are quickly becoming a lost art. Being perfect with your shifting and footwork are paramount in a car like the MX-5, so it really requires a driver to hone their skills.
Despite this challenge, the MX-5 and the various Mazda racing series—from club through pro—are a fantastic way for a young driver to get their start in cars, whether or not their background was in karts. The inexpensive, spec platform creates a level playing field for all the drivers, and it’s an environment the young driver I was coaching in Atlanta was accustomed to since he comes from spec karting.
As the day progressed, we went from focusing on track and car familiarity to more specifics. We worked on how to extract lap time with not only efficient shifting but also by maximizing the car’s and the tires’ capability for cornering. Since my client has a strong background in karts, car control was never an issue, which is a huge benefit when it comes to driving sports cars for the first time. It’s one less variable to worry about!
Overall, we had a successful day, and I’m excited to watch the progress of this young talent as he joins the ranks of the many other young racers looking to climb the motorsports ladder.