Paul Fix sets the pace in first practice at Lime Rock Park
September 19, 2014
Ron Keith builds off Brainerd momentum in tight TA2
It was Paul Fix who led the Trans Am Series out on track at Lime Rock Park for the first session of the race weekend, Round 9 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship.
Fix, behind the wheel of the No. 4 Stopflex.com/Tony Ave Racing Chevrolet Corvette, led all competitors on course with a lap time of 00.52.338, edging out Simon Gregg, in the No. 59 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, by eight hundredths as the No. 59 car logged a 00.52.389 while Doug Peterson, defending TA Champion and Tony Ave Racing teammate of Fix, put in a lap time of 00:52.529, strong enough for third.
This is Fix’s first appearance in Trans Am this year, returning to Lime Rock Park in pursuit of a second consecutive victory at the Connecticut track. Fix won the TA class race in torrential downpours last year, but will look to showcase his own skill and the Tony Ave Racing platform in the predicted pristine conditions this weekend.
TA2 was led by Ron Keith, in the No. 25 Offsite/ Mike Cope Racing Ford Mustang, with a time of 00:54.467 as he carries momentum into this weekend coming off a victory last weekend at Brainerd International Raceway. Keith’s time will be a new track record for the TA2 class if he can replicate it come qualifying.
Following Keith was the No. 44 Engineered Components Chevrolet Camaro of Adam Andretti with a time of 00:54.713 and defending TA2 Champion Cameron Lawrence, in the No. 1 CTek/NorthStar Miller Racing Dodge Challenger, in third position with a 00:54.723.
Andretti and Lawrence will be a duo to keep an eye on throughout the weekend, as the two drivers are in the midst of a battle over the TA2 Championship. Currently, Cameron Lawrence holds the points lead with 228 to Andretti’s 214, but a strong showing by the No. 44 this weekend could see that gap reduced.
In TA3 it was Mike Geldart, in the No. 45 Driving4Education/ Hoosier/ Phoenix Ford Mustang, who led the American Muscle Group with a time of 00:59.033 in his first ever Trans Am appearance. Following Geldart were Ernie Francis, Jr., and Todd Napieralski in second and third, respectively.
In the International Group of TA3 Jason Berkeley, in the No. 67 BMG Management Chevrolet Corvette, led with a 1:04.471 over the 1:04.699 of Norm Betts, in the No. 82 Hoosier/VP Fuels Chevrolet Corvette.
Trans Am will return to the track at 2:50 p.m. EDT for a second practice and at 5:10 p.m. EDT for qualifying in preparation for the 100 mile, 67 lap Trans Am race, tomorrow, September 20, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. EDT.
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