Machavern and Fix lead shortened practice sessions at WGI

May 14, 2016

Limited time leaves drivers unable to get up to speed

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (May 14, 2016) – The Trans Am Series commenced the Classic Tube 100 weekend at Watkins Gen International (WGI), Round 3 of the 2016 Trans Am Championship, with abbreviated practice sessions led by Dillon Machern, Paul Fix, Michael Camus, Tristan Herbert and Tim Kezman, respectively.

Dillon Machavern, from behind the wheel of the No. 24 Heritage Motorsports Ford Mustang, set the fast lap in a shortened TA2 session with a time of 1:56.6370 around the 3.40-mile course—completing a monumental effort by his team to repair substantial damage from a test day impact caused by a tire failure.

Machavern, just turned his fast lap on only his second lap out as the No. 22 Herlocher’s Dipping Mustard Ford Mustang of Roberto Sabato made a hard impact off course—causing the field to go under a red flag. The damage to the tire wall was extensive and required the remainder of the TA2 practice session, and the majority of the following TA/TA3/TA4/TA5 session, to repair.

Machavern was followed in the session by teammate’s Tony Buffomante, Lawrence Loshak and Justin Haley, with the MCRE team taking the top four positions in the abbreviated session. Gar Robinson, in the No. 74 74 Ranch Chevrolet Camaro, completed the top five.

With repairs completed, only a few minutes remained in the allotted slot for TA/TA3/TA4/TA5 practice, leaving competitors in all four classes unable to get up to speed—leaving the session as little more than a shakedown.

Paul Fix, in the No. 50 StopFlex.com/TheCarCoach.com Chevrolet Corvette, led all drivers, and the TA class, in the session with a time of 2:00.397, well off his qualifying time of 1:50.161 from three years ago and a mark that he is expected to easily eclipse come qualifying this afternoon.

Fix was followed in the TA class by Amy Ruman, David Pintaric, Simon Gregg and Jim McAleese—all logging greatly reduced lap times.

In TA3, Epic Motorsports teammates Michael Camus, in the No. 08 BizBloom.com BMW M3, and Randy Mueller, in the No. 00 BizBloom.com BMW M3, set fast times for the class at 2:05.507 and 2:05.537. They were followed by Mark Boden, Preston Calvert and Cindi Lux in the top five.

In TA4, rookie Tristan Herbert, in the No. 33 Tilton Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, led the session with a time of 2:07.461. He was followed by Ernie Francis, Jr., Rich Jones, Todd Napieralski and Chris Outzen.

In TA5, Tim Kezman, in the No. 4 Fall-Line Motorsports/Calypso Porsche 997, led the way with a time of 2:08.905. Connor Flynn and Milton Grant followed to complete the top three.

Trans Am will return to the course at WGI at 1:45 p.m. ET for TA2 “One Shot” Qualifying, followed immediately by TA at 2:05 and TA3/TA4/TA5 at 2:25.

The two Trans Am races, the TA2, powered by AEM, race and Classic Tube 100, will take place tomorrow, Sunday, May 15, at 9:20 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. ET for Round 3 of the 2016 Trans Am Championship.

Fans can purchase tickets at the Watkins Glen gate for $30 and can keep up throughout the weekend with live timing and scoring at www.gotransam.com/live-timing, on Twitter at @gotransam and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam.

Event Schedule

Saturday, May 14, 2016
8:50 – 9:20 AM TA2 Practice
9:20 – 9:50 AM TA/TA3/TA4/TA5 Practice
1:45 – 2:05 PM TA2 “One Shot” Qualifying
2:05 – 2:25 PM TA “One Shot” Qualifying
2:25 – 2:45 PM TA3/TA4/TA5 “One Shot” Qualifying

Sunday, May 15, 2016
9:20 AM – 10:30 AM TA2, powered by AEM, Race (102 miles, 30 laps or 70 minutes)
3:40 PM – 4:50 PM The Classic Tube 100 Race (102 miles, 30 laps or 70 minutes)

Full TA2 Practice Results

Full TA/TA3/TA4/TA5 Practice Results

Classic Tube is a manufacturer of preformed tubing products for the automotive OE, aftermarket and restoration markets. In addition, they produce tubing for fleet, heavy equipment, marine, mining and aerospace industries. Classic Tube also manufactures a complete line of replacement brake, fuel, transmission and carburetor tubing applications for Cars and Trucks both Domestic and Foreign, from the 1930's to present. www.classictube.com