Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Dawson Community News: Porter in talks to lure businesses to car park

Porter in talks to lure businesses to car park

Negotiations between Atlanta Motorsports Park developer Jeremy Porter and a high-performance repair facility that wants to relocate to Dawsonville are in the final stages.

“I’m so excited about the new partnership to bring Balanced Performance Motorsports to AMP,” Porter said.

Billed as the South’s premier repair and performance facility, Balance Performance Motorsports plans to move its entire Sugar Hill operation, which includes maintenance and fabrications, to the motorsports country club site that is expected to break ground in western Dawson County by fall.

“We feel that AMP can offer us and our customers many opportunities not available at our current location,” said Chuck Ellis, co-owner and CEO of Balanced Performance. “We feel AMP can bring us not only an incredible sales and marketing team, but also a world class facility and location that is unmatched in the industry.”

Porter received final zoning approval from Dawsonville City Council in April for the project, which will sit on about 152 acres between Duck Thurmond Road and Hwy. 183.

Neighbors bitterly opposed the project, vowing to fight its approval in court.

According to city clerk Kim Cornelison a lawsuit was filed in Dawson County Superior Court May 7. She said the city has not yet been formally served.
The facility will include nearly three miles of high performance road course for fast, exotic cars, karts and bikes, a members-only lounge, 10,000 square foot clubhouse, pool and hiking trails.

The Balanced Performance partnership will be an added bonus for club members, who will be able to receive free technical and track readiness support from BMP professionals and official tech inspectors for the National Auto Sport Association, said BPM co-owner Jason Plante.

“We want all AMP members to feel confident that their cars are safe and ready to drive,” Plante said.

Porter said other businesses, including a fine dining restaurant, and agencies also are looking at the site.

Among those interested is Track Chic, an organization that celebrates women involved in the racing industry through an online journal documenting their development.

“There is an impressive group of women on the AMP Team working hard to push this forward,” said Track Chic President Theresa Earnheart. “The online journal will go live within the next few weeks and bring an intimate, female perspective on all aspects of AMP’s development. Women who follow along will feel part of the AMP Family as we build momentum for the grand opening.”

Porter said he is awaiting a redesign of the driving course, as required by city council.