Motorplex slowly becoming a reality

Heavy rainfall has set development of Aonia Pass Motocross back four months

Web posted March 1, 1998

From Staff Reports

Aonia, a community on Highway 78 between Thomson and Washington, will soon become more than a tiny dot on the Georgia map if plans are completed by a trio of business partners.

The first segment of their plans for the Georgia Motorplex -- called Aonia Pass Motocross -- has become reality and the partners are only waiting for rains to subside and the earth to dry.

``Blame it on `El Nino' or whatever, the rain has really killed us,'' said Rhett Wheeler of Madison, Ga., a stock broker in partnership with pro stock and pro modified drag racer Chris Benedict and Perry Gunter, a well-driller from Washington, Ga. ``It's put us at least four months behind.''

The partners are developing 600 acres into what may become the area's largest racing venue, including motocross, stock car Legends racing, drag racing, go-kart racing and dirt track racing.

The motocross covers 19 acres and was designed and built by Mark (The Bomber) Barnett of Orlando, Fla., one of the sport's legends.

``He's the only person in the history of the sport to have won every single moto in every race for the national title in one year,'' Wheeler said.

``Just mention his name and motocross riders will know that this is a national caliber track,'' Wheeler added. ``We'll have a lighted super-cross course for nighttime riding, with real bathrooms, concessions stands, showers for participants and hose-off pads for the bikes.''

The first official race -- there have been several test runs -- will be held on April 4 as part of Washington's annual celebration which includes a tour of many of the city's historical homes.

``The city of Washington and its Chamber of Commerce have been a big help to us since we started to develop this complex last October,'' Wheeler said. ``We want to reciprocate. We feel more families might come to the motocross if other activities are available for members of the families not really interested in the races.''

Wheeler said the race will be a part of the American Motorcycle Association Trans-MX Series being run in conjunction with Paradise Off-Road Park in Macon and Starlight Motocross in Atlanta. Four races of the series will be held at Aonia.

Next to become reality later this year is an International Hot Rod Association-sanctioned drag strip. The $2.8 million project features a 4,300-linear foot-long strip making it, Wheeler said, the longest in Georgia.

``We'll be able to hold both quarter-mile and eighth-mile events and run everything from top fuel on down,'' he said. ``There will be electricity and running water in the pits so racers won't have to bring portable generators.

``We are trying to provide all the amenities most racers would like to have -- within reason, of course,'' he added.

The complex is about 45 miles from Augusta.