Alan Metni

File:Somebody call (43552646361).jpg in 2018.]]

Metni began his professional racing career in 2017, taking part in the Gold class of the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge for Kelly-Moss Road and Race. Prior to the start of the season, Metni had only participated in track days, and "came to [motorsports] really, really late." He was invited to a track day by a friend, which eventually led to him searching for a full-time drive with Kelly-Moss for 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.imsa.com/news/2019/06/21/metni-flying-on-the-racetrack-in-porsche-gt3-cup-challenge-usa-by-yokohama/|title=Metni "Flying" on the Racetrack in Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama|work=IMSA|date=June 21, 2019|accessdate=May 28, 2023}} Through 16 races, he claimed a sole class podium finish en route to a sixth-place finish in the championship. At the end of the year, Metni also took part in the 24 Hours of COTA with Brookspeed International Motorsport, taking the SP3 class victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/11/15/herberth-porsche-takes-inaugural-24h-cota.html|title=Herberth Porsche Takes Inaugural 24H COTA|work=Dailysportscar|first=Graham|last=Goodwin|date=November 15, 2017|accessdate=May 28, 2023|quote=The Brookspeed International Motorsport Porsche Cayman GT4 MR (#41, David Pattison / Freddie Hunt / Alan Metni / Joseph Toussaint) took the win in the SP3 class...}}

He returned to the series in 2018, graduating to the Platinum class designated for current-spec Porsche Cup cars.{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/porsche-gt3-cup-challenge/kelly-moss-set-for-30th-year-of-racing-with-seven-car-gt3-cup-effort/|title=Kelly-Moss Set for 30th Year of Racing; Seven GT3 Cup Entries|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|author=News Release|date=March 15, 2018|accessdate=May 28, 2023}} Metni competed in the Platinum Masters subclass, composed of drivers over the age of 45. With three class victories in the final four races, Metni claimed the Platinum Masters title following the final race of the season at Road Atlanta.{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/porsche-gt3-cup-challenge/robichon-sweeps-weekend-estep-claims-title/|title=Robichon Sweeps Road Atlanta Weekend; Estep Claims Title|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|author=IMSA Wire Service|date=October 12, 2018|accessdate=May 28, 2023|quote=[Metni's] win Thursday evening moved him into the Platinum Masters points lead, and his victory Friday morning cliched him the title.}} Metni also completed a one-off weekend in the Pirelli World Challenge at COTA,{{cite web|url=https://racer.com/2018/03/21/104-pwc-entries-set-for-cota/|title=104 PWC entries set for COTA|work=Racer|publisher=Racer Media & Marketing|author=Alley|date=March 21, 2018|accessdate=May 28, 2023}} claiming a podium finish in the second race of the weekend. Metni claimed his second consecutive Platinum Masters title in 2019, scoring eight class victories over the course of 16 races.{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/porsche-gt3-cup-challenge/de-angelis-closes-out-season-with-victory-in-race-2/|title=De Angelis Closes Out Season with Victory in Race 2|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|author=IMSA Wire Service|date=October 11, 2019|accessdate=May 28, 2023|quote=In the Platinum Masters class for drivers 45 years of age and older, Alan Metni secured his second consecutive championship with his eighth victory of the season...}} During the 2019 season, Metni stated that his goal was to be competing at the front end of the overall field by the end of the year.

2020 saw Metni continue in the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge for its final season, once again with Kelly-Moss. At VIR in August, he claimed his maiden overall victory in the series, claiming that his race win was "one for the old guys."{{cite web|url=https://www.speedsport.com/sports-cars/imsa/metni-gets-one-for-the-old-guys-at-vir/|title=Metni Gets 'One For The Old Guys' At VIR – SPEED SPORT|work=Speed Sport|author=Staff Report|date=August 23, 2020|accessdate=May 28, 2023}} This victory was one of ten Platinum Masters victories that Metni collected in 2020 as he scored his third consecutive class title.{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/porsche-gt3-cup-challenge/kingsley-wraps-up-title-with-win-in-series-finale/|title=Kingsley Wraps Up Title With Win in Series Finale at Sebring|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|author=IMSA Wire Service|date=November 13, 2020|accessdate=May 28, 2023|quote=It capped Metni’s third straight Masters championship with his 10th class win in 16 races.}} He once again added a single weekend in the Am class of the GT World Challenge America, driving for Park Place Motorsports.{{cite web|url=https://racer.com/2020/03/05/gt-world-challenge-america-season-preview/|title=GT World Challenge America season preview|work=Racer|publisher=Racer Media & Marketing|first=Richard S.|last=James|date=March 5, 2020|accessdate=May 28, 2023}}

File:Metni 911 WGI22.jpg at Watkins Glen in 2022.]]

Metni remained with Kelly-Moss through the transition from IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge to Porsche Carrera Cup North America, lining up in the Pro-Am class for 2021.{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/porsche-carrera-cup-na/kelly-moss-set-for-seven-car-effort/|title=Kelly-Moss Confirms Seven-Car Effort; Five New-Gen Porsches|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|first=John|last=Dagys|date=March 5, 2021|accessdate=May 28, 2023}} Metni also engaged in a full-time effort in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America, taking part in the Am class for Change Racing. Prior to the start of each of these campaigns, however, Metni made his debut in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, taking on a drive in the 2021 24 Hours of Daytona with NTE Sport.{{cite web|url=https://frontstretch.com/2021/01/15/nte-sport-announces-rolex-24-effort-with-audi/|title=NTe Sport Announces Rolex 24 Effort With Audi|work=Frontstretch|first=Phil|last=Allaway|date=January 15, 2021|accessdate=May 28, 2023}} The entry finished 15th in GTD with Metni, Don Yount, Andrew Davis, and J. R. Hildebrand at the wheel following gearbox problems. Metni's Porsche Cup campaign began successfully, as he claimed the series' first Pro-Am class victory at Sebring.{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/porsche-carrera-cup-na/carrera-cup-race-1/|title=Priaulx Wins Opening Race of Weekend|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|first=Ryan|last=Myrehn|date=March 18, 2021|accessdate=May 28, 2023|quote=Alan Metni picked up the win in the 992 Pro-Am class with a last lap pass of Efrin Castro.}} He became engaged in a season-long battle for the Pro-Am championship with Efrin Castro, with Metni taking an early lead thanks to a sweep of the first two race weekends. However, Castro's sweep of the triple-header finale at Road Atlanta, combined with two poor finishes for Metni, meant that Castro scored the Pro-Am title for 2021.{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/porsche-carrera-cup-na/champion-priaulx-wins-season-finale-ahead-of-van-berlo/|title=Champion Priaulx Wins Season Finale Ahead of Van Berlo|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|first=Daniel|last=Lloyd|date=November 12, 2021|accessdate=May 28, 2023|quote=The Pro-Am title battle between Alan Metni and Efrin Castro went down to the final race of the year, and concluded with Castro overcoming his deficit to Metni by winning for the third time this weekend.}} Metni also saw early success in his Super Trofeo campaign, leading to a difficult double-header weekend between the two series in September. The Porsche Cup event at Indianapolis fell on the same weekend as the Super Trofeo round at Laguna Seca, and with Metni still in contention for both championships he elected to attempt both. He began the weekend in California before flying overnight to Indiana to take on the second and third Porsche Cup races, scoring last-place points in both championships for the races he missed.{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/lamborghini-st/metni-set-for-unique-laguna-indy-weekend-double/|title=Metni Set for Unique Laguna, Indy Weekend Double|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|first=John|last=Dagys|date=September 7, 2021|accessdate=May 28, 2023}}

Metni consolidated his efforts in 2022, running only in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America. Once again, himself and Castro were embroiled in the Pro-Am championship battle throughout the season, entering the final weekend separated by just 14 points. Despite Castro's seven victories far outnumbering Metni's three, Metni entered the Road Atlanta round with the championship lead.{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/porsche-carrera-cup-na/road-atlanta-set-for-championship-showdown-in-all-three-classes/|title=Championship Showdown Set for All Three Classes at Road Atlanta|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|author=Sportscar365 Staff|date=September 27, 2022|accessdate=May 29, 2023}} Although Castro swept the weekend, a second and third-place finish for Metni in the last two races meant he claimed the championship by one point.{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/porsche-carrera-cup-na/heinrich-wins-race-2-thompson-crowned-champion/|title=Heinrich Wins Race 2; Thompson Crowned Champion|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|first=Jonathan|last=Grace|date=September 30, 2022|accessdate=May 29, 2023|quote=In the final few minutes of the race, the Texan held off pressure from the No. 17 ACI Motorsports car of Curt Swearingin to secure the Pro-Am class championship by a single point.}}

File:KellyMoss 91 WGI23 05.jpg in 2023.]]

In 2023, Metni graduated to a full-time drive in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, driving for the new Kelly-Moss with Riley operation alongside Kay van Berlo.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/01/07/kellymoss-with-riley-confirm-91-porsche-gtd-crew.html|title=Kellymoss With Riley Confirm #91 Porsche GTD Crew|work=Dailysportscar|first=Graham|last=Goodwin|date=January 7, 2023|accessdate=May 29, 2023}} Metni additionally continued part-time in the Porsche Carrera Cup, pulling double duty on several weekends between both series in order to gain more track experience.{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/metni-on-double-duty-its-all-about-trying-to-get-better/|title=Metni on Double Duty: "It's All About Trying to Get Better"|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|first=Jonathan|last=Grace|date=April 16, 2023|accessdate=May 29, 2023}} At Laguna Seca in May, Metni claimed his first IMSA SportsCar Championship victory.{{cite web|url=https://racer.com/2023/05/14/kellymoss-riley-take-first-imsa-gtd-victory-alongside-weathertech-gtd-pro-win/|title=Kellymoss/Riley take first IMSA GTD victory at Laguna|work=Racer|publisher=Racer Media & Marketing|first=Richard S.|last=James|date=May 14, 2023|accessdate=May 29, 2023}} However, the rest of the season saw Metni and van Berlo finish no higher than seventh in any given race, and a non-racing injury for Metni forced the team to miss the season-ending Petit Le Mans.{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/no-91-kellymoss-with-riley-porsche-withdrawn-from-petit/|title=No. 91 Kellymoss with Riley Porsche Withdrawn from Petit|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media|first=John|last=Dagys|date=October 2, 2023|accessdate=October 6, 2023}}

Metni's skydiving career began at the age of 21 after reading a newspaper advertisement for a local skydiving establishment, Skydive San Marcos.{{cite web|url=https://www.skyleague.com/profiles/show/?which=AlanMetni|title=Skyleague|work=National Skydiving League|accessdate=May 31, 2023}} Following his first flight, he developed a passion for the sport, joining the Texas Skydivers Club in association with the University of Texas at Austin, where he was studying at the time. After successes in regional and national championships, Metni quit his job as a lawyer, electing to pursue a spot on the national skydiving team and moving to Arizona.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-26/ifly-and-the-rise-of-indoor-sky-diving#xj4y7vzkg|title=IFly and the Rise of Indoor Sky Diving|work=Bloomberg News|first=Caroline|last=Winter|date=April 26, 2017|accessdate=May 31, 2023}}

File:IFly Indoor Skydiving (31888345242).jpg.]]

In 1999, Metni paid a visit to SkyVenture, an indoor skydiving facility located in Orlando, Florida. Impressed with the facility, Metni proposed a business venture between himself and SkyVenture's owner Bill Kitchen, leading to the creation of IFly in 2002. The company's wind tunnels featured a unique wall-to-wall or open-flow wind tunnel design, which pulled air upwards through the enclosed chamber. Such a design improved airflow, but drastically increased noise and removed the ability for interior climate control.{{cite web|url=https://indoorskydivingsource.com/articles/a-complete-history-of-the-vertical-wind-tunnel/|title=A Complete History of the Vertical Wind Tunnel|work=Indoor Skydiving Source|date=January 2, 2015|accessdate=May 31, 2023}}

As of 2023, the company has opened over 80 locations in more than nine countries.{{cite web|url=https://www.iflyworld.com/discover/heritage/|title=The Heritage of IFly {{!}} IFly|work=IFly|accessdate=May 31, 2023}} Locations also engage in STEM events to teach the public about the science behind the company's wind tunnels.{{cite web|url=https://businessnc.com/ifly-helps-the-adventurous-find-their-wings/|title=iFLY helps the adventurous find their wings|work=Business North Carolina|first=Alyssa|last=Pressler|date=July 1, 2019|accessdate=May 31, 2023}}

^* Season still in progress.

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

|style="background:#;"| MDO
{{small|}}

|style="background:#;"| DET
{{small|}}

|style="background:#;"| WGL
{{small|}}

|style="background:#;"| WGL
{{small|}}

|style="background:#;"| LIM
{{small|}}

|style="background:#;"| ELK
{{small|}}

|style="background:#;"| LGA
{{small|}}

|style="background:#;"| LBH
{{small|}}

|style="background:#;"| VIR
{{small|}}

|style="background:#;"| PET
{{small|}}

! 73rd

! 175

|-

| 2023

! Kelly-Moss with Riley

! GTD

! Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)

! Porsche 4.2 L Flat-6

|style="background:#dfffdf;"| DAY
{{small|16}}

|style="background:#dfffdf;"| SEB
{{small|7}}

|style="background:#dfffdf;"| LBH
{{small|12}}

|style="background:#ffffbf;"| LGA
{{small|1}}

|style="background:#dfffdf;"| WGL
{{small|17}}

|style="background:#dfffdf;"| MOS
{{small|9}}

|style="background:#efcfff;"| LIM
{{small|14}}

|style="background:#dfffdf;"| ELK
{{small|9}}

|style="background:#dfffdf;"| VIR
{{small|8}}

|style="background:#dfffdf;"| IMS
{{small|11}}

|style="background:#;"| PET
{{small|}}

|

! 13th

! 2289

|}

^* Season still in progress.

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.kellymoss.com/race/drivers Alan Metni] at Kelly-Moss

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{{succession box|title=Porsche Carrera Cup North America
Pro-Am Champion|before=Efrin Castro|years=2022|after=Efrin Castro}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Metni, Alan}}

Category:1967 births

Category:Living people

Category:Racing drivers from Austin, Texas

Category:24 Hours of Daytona drivers

Category:12 Hours of Sebring drivers

Category:24H Series drivers

Category:GT World Challenge America drivers

Category:Porsche Carrera Cup North America drivers

Category:Lamborghini Super Trofeo drivers

Category:WeatherTech SportsCar Championship drivers

Category:American skydivers