Velocity Racing Development, based out of Atlanta Motorsports Park, begins their season at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this weekend where they will be hoping to battle for wins in the Formula Four and Formula Regional Championship for the second year in a row. In their first year competing in US F3 and F4 VRD landed several podium finishes and a handful of wins to top off an impressive opening season.
Drivers, Mathias Soler-Obel, Erik Evans, Raiden Nicol, and Mateo Rubio are all eager to get the season underway after the three-month delay due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. During the delay, they have been taking advantage of the facilities that AMP offers to fine-tune their skills behind the wheel.
On Sunday, VRD had the track to themselves as they spent one last day running various practice programs in preparation for the beginning of the season. Utilizing the highly technical two-mile F1-style road course at AMP, drivers are able to get acclimated with their cars in several different types of braking zones, corner types, and elevation changes to prepare them for the different tracks they visit around the country during the season. VRD boss, Dan Mitchell, emphasized the impact that AMP has on the development of their drivers.
“AMP is a fantastic platform for the young drivers that are stepping out of karts into cars to learn how to drive a race car quickly,” Dan explained. “AMP is a difficult, technical, and physical track so it really teaches them the best aspects of racing that are found at different race circuits around the country.”
VRD drivers also spent time returning to their racing roots at the AMP kart track during the delay in their season. Erik Evans, Raiden Nicole, and Mateo Rubio began their racing careers in the AMP Kart Series where VRD noticed their potential and offered them the chance to race open-wheel race cars around the country. Now the kart track serves as an excellent training ground for the drivers to perfect their racecraft year-round.
VRD’s frontrunner last year, Mathias Soler-Obel, will be keen to win the F3 championship this season after finishing third in the championship last year as a rookie. Winning the F3 championship means Soler-Obel would earn a seat on the Indy Lights grid, putting him one step closer to reaching IndyCar.
Following the first race of the season at Mid Ohio the VRD team will travel to Virginia International Raceway, followed by Barber Motorsports Park, Sebring, Homestead Miami, and a season finale at Circuit of The Americas. Make sure you follow VRD on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with the busy racing team as they depart from AMP.
Public karting is now open with advanced registration so you can experience what it takes to join a race team.
