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Hobbs Joins Automatic Racing for Road America

Andrew Hobbs joins Automatic Racing for Road America…

Photo: Automatic Racing

Photo: Automatic Racing

Automatic Racing’s lineup will feature a new face this weekend when the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Series arrives at Road America. Andrew Hobbs, grandson of famed endurance racer David Hobbs, will co-drive with Al Carter in the No. 09 Automatic Racing Aston Martin GT4 Vantage. 

Saturday’s two-hour, 3o-minute race will be the series debut for Hobbs, but the 22-year-old has the advantage of calling Road America his home track.

He lives in nearby Milwaukee, Wis., and he has been going to the four-mile track his whole life, both as a fan and a racer. 

Hobbs first experienced Road America as a go-kart racer when he was nine years old. He attended the Skip Barber Racing School at the classic road course and later won his first Skip Barber National race there.

Most recently, Hobbs has been competing in open-wheel racing. In 2015, his SCCA Pro Formula 1600 Series record included four poles, three podiums and three Fast Laps.

In addition to being his series debut, this weekend will be Hobbs’s first pro race behind the wheel of a sedan.

“It will be a big learning weekend, which is part of why I chose Road America,” he said. “I can take learning the track out of the equation and focus on learning the car. 

“I think it will be a good weekend for learning and getting used to the series, and I’d like to be fighting for a good spot.”

Automatic Racing will be fielding two cars at Road America. Charlie Putman and Charles Espenlaub return to the No. 99 Aston Martin, and will be competing in the remainder of the 2016 season.

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