Ozzy Moya loves drag racing and plans to be around the straight-line sport for the foreseeable future. He just doesn’t plan to do it anymore at South Georgia Motorsports Park, just outside Valdosta, Ga.
Moya announced on March 14, 2023, that he’d agreed to sell the track he purchased in 2015 to his friend of 35 years, Raul Torres. The deal is expected to close in 45 days. Moya will continue to run Orlando Speed World.
Moya said he’d received calls asking if it was health reasons or battles against the local government that led to him sell, but neither played a factor in the decision.
“I wanted a little bit more quality of life time, and it just sucks because I feel I’m giving Orlando like 70% and Georgia, 30%,” Moya explained. “In the end, you can never get back the time you lost with your family, and I think it best [he and wife Maria] just want to concentrate on Orlando, and then have some time off and then let him do Georgia. I think he’ll do great over there.”
Moya said he believes he’s putting the future of SGMP in good hands with Torres, who he says is already a productive member of the community.
“[Raul] has a business in the name, and he has a very successful mechanic shop there, and he’s going to be moving there full-time,” Moya said. “I think by being a local and being there all the time; I think he’ll be able to solve some of the issues or at least hopefully make things better.”
Moya said he gave SGMP his best and as much time as possible, but ultimately, he realized his limitations.
“I can’t clone myself, so I think the right thing to do is find someone who’s going to be able to take SGMP to its full potential,” Moya said. “I think I’m holding it back. So I think it’s time to let go and just concentrate on Orlando.
“I think drag racing right now is at an all-time high, and I think someone that could take SGMP to the next level is what was needed. And unfortunately for me, I know I just don’t have the time without giving up more of my life than Orlando takes. And honestly, my kids, my daughter’s 12, my son’s 23, and I’ve given the sport a lot of my life, and I think it’s time I get a little selfish and I get a little bit more time with my family before I’m gone.”
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