11 replies to this topic

[Johnny D]

Atlanta Speedwerks comes to the series with two, or more, cars.

 

 

Todd Lamb has a history with MX-5 Cup, and it's about to repeat itself.

 

Lamb came into the MX-5 Cup in 2009 after winning the 2008 NASA National Championship in Spec Miata. He followed that success in MX-5 Cup, taking eight wins and the championship. The following year he raced in Rolex GT in the Racer's Edge RX-8 and also helped develop the i-Moto Mazda3 in Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. In the years since, he's continued to race in Spec Miata, along with some World Challenge and other races, and make quite the reputation as a driving coach. Now he's coming back to Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires, thanks to one of his coaching clients.

 

“I have a client that was interested in running the series, Luis Gavignano,” says Lamb. “He wanted to have me on board for coaching for the series. It made sense for me to run as part of that to be able to have data and be able to talk through the different tracks. It started as a coaching gig and expanded from there.”

 

Lamb's prep shop, Atlanta Speedwerks, will run at least two cars, for himself and Gavignano. However, he'd like to run more if there were an opportunity.

 

“We're going to do a lot of testing for drivers to try to find a couple of season-long drivers to come along with us. Two cars is doable, but we've got room for four cars  and we would love to have four cars under the tent. It would be a great business opportunity for me and an opportunity for other drivers to come on board to get the personalized coaching and build from my experience I have, not only from the shop but as a racer,” Lamb says.

 

The team had its first competition outing in its Global MX-5 Cup cars at the Sebring Hoosier Super Tour last month. Lamb ended up with a win in Touring 3 in the Saturday race and second on Sunday (along with third- and fifth-place finishes in Spec Miata).

 

“Luis wanted to go down and get some seat time in the car so he can be fully acclimated when we get to the first race. At the same time, we went down to Sebring to run the Spec Miata to showcase what we do as a shop on the car build side. But we're all interested in getting a fair shot at a competitive T3 car with the Global MX-5 Cup car and that was another thing we were focused on, seeing how the cars stack up in that class. We were lucky to come away with a win there, but SCCA has some work to do to balance out the cars. I know they're working on that. I sent them some data and we've been talking since Sebring.”

 

After the Sebring experience and some other testing, Lamb is looking forward to returning to MX-5 Cup.

“The cars are a blast to drive,” he says. “And a spec pro series is a big draw. I really enjoy the competition and the closeness of the racing, and the race craft and the strategy that goes along with it. It fits in with the kind of racing I've been doing in Spec Miata lately. It's kind of a neat thing to come back. It will be fun to see how it goes against some pretty good competition.”

 

The 2017 Battery Tender Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich Tires season begins April 21-23 at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama.

[Jim Drago]

Best of luck Todd and Atlanta Speedwerks

[Bench Racer]

^ Yes!!!

[MotoFusi]

Kick some ass Todd!!!!!

[Armando Ramirez]

Kudos to Luis and Todd.

[Todd Lamb]

Thanks guys, it's going to be a fun season. Might have to do a little less SM racing this year.

 

We have the opportunity for drivers wanting to do some one-off races to join us in the Global Cup series. Or join us for some testing throughout the season.

[MPR22]

Thanks guys, it's going to be a fun season. Might have to do a little less SM racing this year.

 

We have the opportunity for drivers wanting to do some one-off races to join us in the Global Cup series. Or join us for some testing throughout the season.

You are just scared!!

 

LOL.  Good luck. Wish we could join you but those damn NDs are too fragile.  

[sentercut]

I got to turn a few laps in one of these cars for the first time Thursday with the Atlanta SpeedWerks crew at Road Atlanta. WOW, really fun car to drive even for a hack mid-back pack SM driver. All of my thoughts are coming from a guy that has about 3 races at Road Atlanta and has only raced a SM a grand total of 8 times; but my first feeling was how twitchy and racy it felt having to switch gears a lot, 5th gear in the esses was sketchy for me, and the car seems to really bind up and have a heavy snap back on any substantial overstear, and seems to really reward a good wheel man/lady. I am assuming that this amplifies at speed and was a quick lesson learned in turn one doing a 360 on my 2nd-3rd lap out, and staining my new OMP race suit. Awesome.  I also noticed/felt parts/bumps/subtle elevation changes I had never experienced before at the track which was awkward. The ABS and power steering are wonderful, and as tough as it is to pass other drivers in SM, it seems like it would be even more difficult in this class, especially at the tip of the spear, which makes for just amazing racing. As MPR 22 said, they do seem fragile and that equates to $$$$, especially with a guy that gravitates toward tire walls. Seat time would solve most of these new experiences of course, and I am grateful to Todd Lamb and his crew for all of the direction, coaching, support, etc.. they provide. It is always a pleasure to hang with this group/camp and I believe Todd and Luis will fair very well and I know have an epic year. 

 

Running this series would be SOOOO much fun I think, but also more costly, which is what it is a pro series, in spec race cars with most guys/girls looking to advance their race career. I do not pretend to believe I would fair well at all, but holy cow what a blast it would be to run this series. It is a bucket list thing for me that likely will not occur, but then again it is on my list and you never know, maybe I'll sneak in for a race.  I look forward to following the series. Best of luck to Todd and Luis and the whole GMX5 effort this season, it will be epic on the fun scale.

 

I am curious to know if any other guys/girls have considered making the jump to this series. And if not is it the cost that is the prohibiting factor or just that they are so happy with SM (the best class in the world). Which brings me to another take away form the 20 minute experience on track in the GMX5. I SO LOVE OUR CLASS (SM). So competitive and such a tremendous group of drivers and crews that are always willing to stop what they are doing to help others get back on track or consult about what is working or not working for them to help others drivers/crews race even closer. Yall have a great weekend! 

[tburas56]

Best of luck Todd and Atlanta Speedwerks

[Todd Lamb]

You know you want to, Buras!

[SaulSpeedwell]

You guys can be Team We-Todd!  (I'm from the time before peanut allergies, Ritalin,and bicycle helmets, so I'm still allowed to make that joke ...).

[tburas56]

Go Team We-Todd! Go Big We-Todds! We-Todds to the Front! 

 

 

 

To much?

 

Best of Luck, Ill be pulling for the repeat year you had in 2008!