Two weeks after the SCCA Hoosier Super Tour event, MNR returned to Road Atlanta for the biggest car racing event Mateo has been involved in. Not only was there a pack field of 32 F1600s on the track, but the Formula Race Promotions races shared the track with the TransAm series and Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) so the weekend was jam packed with tons of great racing.
Weather was mixed across the weekend starting with qualifying in dry conditions. Mateo qualified 7th for race 1, with about 1 second separating the top 7. Race 1 was run in wet conditions. Running the Super Tour event in wet conditions 2 weeks prior ended up being great practice for this race. Mateo advanced to 3rd position early in the race and held that until the final lap when he was able to secure 2nd overall and 2nd fastest lap of the race, thereby earning his first FRP podium and a P2 starting position for race 2.
Race 2 was back to dry conditions and was a battle from the start. Mateo spent most of the race in a scrum with 3-4 other drivers running from 5th – 8th place. There was a lot of back and forth battling in this cluster of cars and at the end of the race Mateo finished 7th overall. Unfortunately, because he was never able to get a good fast lap, this put his starting position for race 3 at P14.
Race 3 was by far the most challenging. Starting mid-pack meant a battle getting through the field. During the 13-lap race, Mateo made a considerable run, reaching as high at P5 during the race. With just over a lap to go, Mateo suffered a flat tire but still managed to bring the car home in P19 out of 32.
Overall, it was a mixed weekend, but one of the highlights was having so many friends and family in attendance to see him race. And thanks to Team Pelfrey and Ares Elite Sports Vision for their continued support. Next up Mid-Ohio on April 28th – 30th.
