If you’ve been to an SCCA® Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack event in New England, chances are you’ve met Greg Amy. A Track Night Lead since almost the program’s inception, Greg is always ready with a smile and words of encouragement for participants.  Outside of TNiA events, you can find him acting as an SCCA Divisional Steward, a National Scrutineer, and trying his hand at historics racing in his Porsche 914. 

When he’s not racing, Greg has a busy home life with his wife, Thea, managing “Thea and Greg's Wayward Home for Seriously Spoiled Dogs.” Hanna, a 14-year-old German Shepherd, and Schatzi, a 7-year-old German Shepherd/Chow mix, can often be seen in the paddock at Greg’s competitions. Rumor has it they’re quick with a wrench and ruthless with a Frisbee.

With over 35 years in motorsports experience, Greg’s just about seen and done it all, with a few exceptions of course. We gave him 10 questions to find out a little more about how he ticks:

1. What or who got you hooked on motorsports?

The father of a girl I was dating; he was SCCA F&C and figured I'd hurt myself eventually if I kept driving like that on the street. Got me into autocrossing and working F&C, and it took exactly zero seconds before I decided to drive on the track myself. We didn't have "track days" back then, so I converted my new Rabbit GTI street car into an Improved Touring A car and off to the races we went! Improved Touring, then Showroom Stock, and then the rest, as they say...

2. Favorite motorsports memory?

Many. But the most special was winning the 2006 ITA ARRC championship. My whole immediate family drove to Road Atlanta from Louisiana to be there and my wife flew in from Connecticut. Coupled to all the friends that had showed up with us (and who magically appeared in the car for the victory lap), winning that championship was something that will always be there. Same goes for my podium finish at the 1992 Runoffs: family and friends were there.

Also, every opportunity to drive a new track sticks in my mind. Texas World Speedway (you always remember your first), Hallett, Ponca City, Road Atlanta, Road America, Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, Daytona, Mid-O, Palmer, Laguna, some three dozen or so...they all feel like home. But especially Road America and Road Atlanta.

3. What’s the best drive you’ve ever taken?

Highway/road trip? Strangely, I always remember the long road trips with buddies to go to races. Road America Runoffs with Dick Patullo, our 2018 Great Yankee Southern Tour Invasion (COTA, NOLA, VIR) with Dick and Ed Werry, trailering up to Watkins Glen with my wife, Thea, and the dogs...It's friends that make these memories and road trips special. I’d be bored out of my mind if I did one of these solo.

4. What’s at the top of your motorsports bucket list?

Would have loved to have earned a Rolex Daytona watch...but given that’s no longer realistic, I’ll settle for continuing to enjoy racing with friends, and try out tracks in this country I’ve yet to do (e.g., Barber, Indy, PittRace, a few others). I’m all about the experience.

5. What’s your favorite music to listen to while driving?

‘80s and ‘90s metal. Or economics or history podcasts. I'm strange that way...

6. What music do you listen to when you need to get energized?

Rush, Deep Purple, Motley Crue, Korn, Tool, Disturbed, and Pantera (kicks everybody's a**)

7. If you could take any road trip tomorrow, where would you go?

It would be kinda fun to take the Porsche 914 on a trip along the Mother Road, Route 66. Just the stress from wondering if the car would make it would keep me awake! Can we install air conditioning somewhere around Ohio...?

8. What Track Night in America event do you most want to go to?

Daytona! Love that place. Actually, it would be fun to actually DRIVE in one sometime!

9. What’s your favorite Track Night memory?

Always "the last one." I make a new favorite TNIA memory seemingly every event. Just watching the smiles and enthusiasm from watching folks have #FunWithCars.

And I ain't BS'ing ya...

10. What do you wish someone would’ve told you when you were first starting out?

This is fun, dammit! Fun is why we do this! Stop trying to be all "srs bzns" and enjoy these opportunities. And remember what you learned from each one... because you will learn something.

 To learn more about the effervescent Greg Amy, check out any of the New England area SCCA Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack events!