Atlanta Motorsports Park (AMP) has now begun the paving process after prevailing in a lengthy lawsuit against opponents attempting to prevent its construction.
With a two-mile road course designed by Formula 1 architect, Hermann Tilke, AMP will be the first "green, sustainable motorsports facility and country club of its kind," according to its owners.
Billed as a “private motorsports club for sports car or bike owners and racecar owners,” the track will feature elevation changes, a technical course layout, high-speed straights and two "signature" corners designed to pay homage to Belgium's Spa-Francochamps and the iconic "Carousel" from Germany's Nurburgring. Its purpose is to provide a facility for owners of high-performance street and exotic cars can learn to drive and enjoy their cars legally and in a controlled environment.
AMP and the City of Dawsonville have been cleared to move forward by Senior Superior Court Judge John Girardeau, in a lawsuit that was originally filed against the city of Dawsonville, naming AMP as a co-defendant. The suit alleged that that the zoning originally granted to AMP was wrongfully obtained and that AMP and the city were not following the master zoning plan, to name a few of the counts. AMP and the city prevailed won on all nine counts.
In a previous attempt to stop the project, the opposition filed for an interlocutory injunction against the AMP project. This ruling too was overruled in November 2009.
“We are pleased with the ruling received yesterday and also the one in November," declared the founder and CEO of AMP, Jeremy Porter. "We and many others have felt that we followed the letter of the law on this zoning process and didn't understand the opposition's approach. Our goal has always been to be a positive impact on the local economy, bringing business to the local economy during and after construction. AMP will provide teen driver training programs, and a place for our memberships to drive fast and safe. We are disappointed to say we feel the only winners here are the attorneys.”
Since the plans for AMP were announced and the final design was revealed in 2009, AMP says it has sold more than $2.1m in pre-construction memberships, $900,000 in commercial sponsorships, and has pre-leased all of the garages for Phase I of the construction plan.
“We have spared no expense in the comprehensive design of Atlanta Motorsports Park,” Porter added. “Not only do we have a world-class Tilke designed driving course but AMP will offer its members an experience for the entire family with country club amenities such as a private clubhouse, member lounge, pool, tennis court, hiking trails, horseback riding, locker room, fitness center and premier restaurant. With the groundbreaking behind us we are full speed ahead to opening day.”
AMP members will also be able to enjoy reciprocal driving privileges at Calabogie Motorsports (Ontario), Circuit ICAR (Quebec), Miller Motorsports Park (Utah), New Jersey Motorsports Park, MSR Houston (Texas), Palm Beach International Raceway (Florida), and Virginia International Raceway.