1: The Wall. Turner Field is one of the most unique autocross sites in the country. It the lot is covered in micro elevation changes which gives the course a unique feel and keeps most corners on camber. But that’s not why Turner is cool. What makes Turner cool is the huge blue wall that runs along the entire boundary of the site and provides 800+ft of areal viewing areas. Want to know how the fast guys are fast? Turner will tell you all their secrets.
2: The Rivalry: To know Atlanta Region is to know one thing, they don’t like to lose to Texas. If you have been following SoloMatters you know that Texas has has set a bar when it comes to onsite parties. Look for the ATL brortherhood to respond in the biggest way possible. Did we mention this lot is used for tailgating Braves games? That should give a hint as to the policies in place.
3: The Competition: The cool thing about Match Tour is all the ways you can compete. Each class stands on it’s own in class competition, so you get to run heads up against whoever shows up. What if it is just you? No problem. The top 8 per heat go to the Super Shootout. Didn’t make it? No problem. Everyone else goes to the Knockout Rounds. The Knockout Rounds function like F1 Qualifying, with the survivors going on to the Club and Ladies Shootouts. Each of the Shootouts features 1-on-1 competition, with the win going to the driver who improves their time by the most. That is a lot of ways to compete, and you can count on the best of Atlanta Region and the Southeast division to make sure that none of it will be easy.
4: The City: If you still have energy left after autocrossing your heart out, have a look around Atlanta. Between the food (Southern food from Mary Macs, Cuban from Papis and BBQ from Daddy D’z BBQ JOYNT) and attractions (World of Coca, Atlanta Aquarium, the High Museum of Art, CNN Center, etc.), there’s plenty to do, especially for the non-competitive family members. Make the Atlanta Match Tour a family affair, and don’t miss out on any of the hot competition!
5: The Future: Let’s be honest. Despite a strong regional program, national level events have struggled in Atlanta. We would all love to see this tide turn, not just for the sake of this event but to send a message that big events in Atlanta can be successful. Match Tour is new. Not everyone gets it and not everyone likes it. But everyone likes autocross, everyone likes to see friends and drive a fun course. We can do all of that at this event and prove that Atlanta belongs on the National schedule.
Solo action returns to the SouthWest Division as the Texas Region hosts the 2014 Mineral Wells Pro Solo and in case you’ve missed it, Brad Maxcy is serving up Texas sized hospitality, too: double doses of food, beverages, and fiestas! The vast expanse of asphalt at the Mineral Wells Airport sits like a giant table top on a hill. Jarrett Jan has set the table and if history is any indication, the menu he’s serving up includes big juicy sweepers leading into finely diced transitions, biting off more than you can chew will be punished and disciplined use of the middle pedal will earn drivers their just desserts.
To attach this meal it looks like Robert Seelig has chosen a new autocross utensil for the STU fight. His experience and the AWD will be needed to outrun Scott Steider’s Nissan 350Zed. Rather than a new utensil, Mark Madarash has sharpened his ESP car in a CP machine and jumped into R2. Mark Mauro and Daniel McElvey will add some spice to the proceedings, both will be piloting one of Mauro’s RX7-creations. But Chris Dorsey’s launch-control Steam-rolla is likely to to flatten this tortilla. Turning to STX, Ricky Crow will be testing the meatiness of a BRZ, but Craig Wilcox is likely to scoop up the top spot with the Mini Cooper.
In L2, the guest of honor is likely Meredith Brown with the family Nissan ladling out the right balance of power and handling, with Sue Brude clearing up L1 but, in L3 its a local girls showdown: Kim Whitener and Katelynn Johnson. B and C street attendance is on a diet, but we expect Lane Borg and Paul Brown to sit at the head of those tables, respectively. Other notables expected for extra helpings in the Super Challenge include Mark Wortham and Matt Lucas (SSR), David Hedderick (STF), David Whitener (STC), Kerry Coughlin (STS), Dave Ogburn – the younger (ESP) , Erik Strelnieks (SSM), and Perry Simonds (R1).
Speaking of extra helpings it’s a toss up between Street Touring R (23) and Street- RWD (22) for the largest class and there’s heaps of talent in both classes. In STR watch to see if Mr. Sunday, Jason Minehart will redeem himself after a disappointing Texas Tour. Expect the Rob Irish and Jon Pomrenke duo to try to wrap things up early, leaving the crumbs for Jeff Warden, David Rock, Matt Glagola, and Drew VanderPloeg. Calculating the tab in SR will be a little more tricky, Gerry Terranova and Brad McCann know how to carve up the ‘ring, but John Hale, Jason Kupka, and Chris Ramey are there to claim the big cookie, too.
If you’re hungry for the action, there’s still time to reserve your seat at the table! Otherwise, tune in to uStream and SoloLive for what promises to be an Animal House food fight.
