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Scott Atherton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Panoz Motor Sports Group (PMSG), leads one of the most comprehensive and diversified motorsports companies in the world. Hand-picked by Panoz Motor Sports Group founder Don Panoz in 2000, Atherton is given credit for the rapid development of the multi-faceted Panoz Motor Sports Group. Atherton’s leadership has enabled PMSG to achieve Panoz’ dream of becoming the only completely vertically integrated motorsports company in the world.
Panoz Motor Sports Group, recognized as an industry leader in all areas of motorsports, encompasses a professional auto racing series , three race tracks, an internationally recognized sanctioning body and one of the largest manufacturers of race cars in the world. The holdings within the Panoz Motor Sports Group include the American Le Mans Series, Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Mosport International Raceway, Elan Technologies (comprised of Elan Composites, Elan Power Products, Elan Precision Engineering and Van Diemen in the UK) and International Motor Sports Association, the sanctioning body of record for the ALMS and numerous other racing series.
Atherton directs all aspects of the day-to-day operation of PMSG as well as the American Le Mans Series including scheduling, executive-level relationships with participating manufacturers, team owners, sponsors and event promoters, and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), which is the controlling entity of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. In total, Atherton oversees the operations of eight (8) Panoz Motor Sports Group companies with more than 200 staff members and collective annual revenues of approximately $50 million. Under Atherton’s guidance the American Le Mans Series has achieved status and acclaim as the benchmark of professional sports car racing on a global scale. With factory-backed teams from many of the world’s most prestigious manufacturers competing in events across North America, the American Le Mans Series has attracted the worldwide attention of fans, sponsors, marketing partners and media as the most exciting, relevant and showroom connected form of motorsport. Additionally, a groundbreaking alliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy and SAE International has confirmed the American Le Mans Series as the unmatched global leader of green racing.
Atherton’s responsibilities also extend to Elan Motorsports Technologies (EMT), a premier manufacturer of world-class race cars and related high-technology aerospace, aviation and military defense products. EMT builds everything from entry-level race cars for enthusiasts to multiple Indy 500 winning chassis. EMT also designed and built the Panoz GTLM which has won multiple American Le Mans Series races, including the Mobil 1Twelve Hours of Sebring, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. EMT has also earned numerous competitive contracts from some of the largest motorsports entities in the world, including the exclusive contract (2006) to build the newest Champ Car in America and Superleague Formula cars in Europe (2008) Elan Motorsports Technologies is the only fully ISO 9001-certified race car manufacturing company in the world.
The three race tracks are known as some of the best road-racing facilities in North America. Each hosts world class professional events such at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans plus countless amateur events and track rental activities.
The International Motor Sport Association (IMSA) is also part of Atherton’s responsibilities and is recognized as one of the leading sanctioning bodies for professional and amateur motorsport in North America. IMSA has technical and operational responsibilities for six different racing series and nearly 100 races a year ranging from the entry levels of sportscar and open wheel categories to the ultra-professional and sophisticated American Le Mans Series.
Among his many other responsibilities, Atherton serves on the board of directors for Panoz Auto Development – builder of the Panoz Esperante sports car – and is active with the ACCUS (Automobile Competition Committee for the United States) and LMS (Le Mans Series) boards. Atherton’s charitable interests include active and financial involvement with the Austin Hatcher Foundation for pediatric cancer, the Emory Breast Healthcare Center and the Salvation Army.
Atherton joined the Panoz organization in August of 2000 after serving as President and General Manager of California Speedway in Fontana, CA. He served in a senior management capacity with Penske Motorsports, Inc., for several years, first as president and general manager of Nazareth (PA) Speedway before shifting to the Penske Motorsports, Inc.-owned California facility. Penske Motorsports was acquired by International Speedway Corporation (ISC) in 1998, and Atherton remained with ISC until he accepted the position with Panoz. Prior to his time with Penske and ISC, Atherton served as President and General Manager of Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, CA, for five years. He also formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and is a past president of the promoters group of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART).
Motorsports has been a primary interest of the Seattle, WA, area native for most of his life. Initially, he was active as a go-kart racer and amateur Formula Ford competitor. After graduating from the University of Washington in 1983 with a degree in marketing, his first professional job in motorsports involved working with the high-profile Domino’s Pizza CART racing team (Doug Shierson Racing and driver Al Unser Jr.). Atherton’s role also included various marketing and promotional endeavors as well as event sponsorship with the Domino’s Pizza 500 at Pocono Raceway. After nine years with Domino’s, where he achieved the position of Vice President, Atherton was selected out of 750 applicants to become General Manager of Laguna Seca Raceway in 1993.
Atherton and his wife, Nancy, reside in Gainesville, GA, with their three children.
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