Record year for Praga in the USA as new national R1 race car dealer delivers immediate impact
Praga, the historic European race and road car manufacturer based in Prague, Czech Republic, signed its first official national US race car dealer in early 2023: and it’s been pole position from the start.
Owned and managed by businessman and racer, Shane Anderson, Praga Racing USA has recorded record annual sales for Praga in the US, as well as critical acclaim and even guest appearances with Netflix’s Squid Games, Top Gear’s The Stig and US automotive personality and race car driver, Randy Pobst.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Praga Racing USA is the only official supplier for the R1 race car in the USA, and will also work with Praga on supporting aftersales and service for the growing interest in the R1 from Canada and Central America.
The Praga R1 is a single-seat, closed cockpit all-carbon fibre downforce racer, typically suited to young drivers moving up from karting, prototype owners looking for more sophisticated aero and performance, and Gentleman drivers seeking to enjoy high downforce performance in its mini-LMP/F1 style looks and handling.
A successful first year for Praga Racing USA
New customer handovers
Starting the year with four new R1 orders for US customers, Praga senior management travelled from the UK and Prague to Atlanta Motorsports Park for a dedicated handover and shakedown event. With Praga’s chief engineer overseeing the shakedown, professional racing driver and former Stig from Top Gear, Ben Collins, joined the Praga team to provide invaluable tuition to the new owners. Ben also had the opportunity to attempt, and successfully set, a new class lap record at the Georgia track, achieving one of the fastest ever top speeds set at AMP of 150.1mph.
Randy Pobst reviews the R1 at AMP
A collaboration between Praga Racing USA and Atlanta Motorsports Park lead to a visit from Randy Pobst, respected American racing driver and journalist, to track test the Praga R1.
Pobst spoke positively about the R1, saying; “It’s great to experience Atlanta Motorsports Park at the wheel of something so capable. The amount of G force the Praga R1 pulls in every direction is intense. The faster you go, the better it sticks. I never saw AMP like this before; the steering is super quick and accurate. I love it!”
The release of Randy’s video review has achieved over 66k views on YouTube, triggering an influx of new enquiries from US-based drivers interested in test driving the R1.
Presentation at Petit Le Mans
As the Motul Petit Le Mans arrived at Road Atlanta for the final race of the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Shane Anderson and Mark Harrison, Sales and Marketing Director at Praga Cars, attended in person to present the Praga R1 in front of large crowds of motorsport fans. A warm reception, including fans of Jimmy Broadbent, winner of the 2022 Praga Cup UK, proved the R1’s global notoriety, as queues of fans took the opportunity to sit inside a new Gen 5 R1.
R1 owners then attended The Driving Club at Road Atlanta’s annual Under The Lights track sessions. Hosted by The Driving Club, R1 owners took part in this unique nighttime track event under the lights installed for the Petit Le Mans.
Caffeine and Octane… and Squid Games
In November, an invitation from Caffeine and Octane saw Praga Racing USA exhibit two Praga R1 race cars at the monthly car show, held in Kennesaw town centre, which attracts over 2,000 cars and is covered by its own television show.
Two R1s were displayed with the Daily Driven Atlanta Exotics club alongside local owners’ supercars, in a rare opportunity for car fans to see the R1 up close in person.
Following the event, Daily Driven Atlanta Exotics extended a remarkable invitation to Praga Racing USA to take part in a one-off event inspired by Netflix’s Squid Games. Featuring the original cast from the reality show Squid Games The Challenge, the R1 joined 50 supercars at the Lanier Raceway in a remake of the show’s Red Light Green Light challenge. The video will be released in the New Year.
On track
Throughout 2023, R1 owners and drivers in the US have enjoyed a successful year on track both in competitive racing and at track day events. With race wins in the PBOC Motorsports Club’s WinterFest at Sebring, FARA Spring Challenge at Homestead Miami Speedway, Fara Miami 500 and the Atlanta Motorsports Park Championship Series, Praga Racing USA continues to grow the number of R1s on US grids.
The R1 is also proving to be a popular track day car, with Praga Racing USA taking part in 51 track days at Atlanta Motorsports Park, Barber Motorsports Park, Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway and Virginia International Raceway this year.
US customer network
At the end of 2023, the Praga Racing USA network of R1 owners spans across Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, California and Canada, with R1s based at Atlanta Motorsports Park, Circuit of The Americas, Monticello Motor Club, Homestead Miami, M1 Concourse, Ridge Motorsports Park, Road Atlanta, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, The Concours Club and The Enclave.
To find out more about Praga Racing USA visit: https://pragaracingusa.com/
ENDS
PR contact:
Lucy Burman
Communications Manager, Praga Cars UK
lucy.burman@pragacars.com
+447801350641
R1 USA sales contact:
Shane Anderson
CEO of Praga Racing USA
sales@pragaracingusa.com
(828) 708-5583
www.pragaracingusa.com
