Peterson and Ave lead the way at Road Atlanta
May 8, 2015
The Trans Am Series kicked off festivities at the Foametix Trans Am 100 and Muscle Car Challenge with two practice sessions this morning, Friday, May 8, 2015, at Road Atlanta. TA2 took to the track first with a complete entry of 38 cars in preparation for their independent race, the Foametix Muscle Car Challenge, the second standalone TA2 race of the year.
Tony Ave, in the No. 70 Lamers Motor Racing Ford Mustang, led the way for all TA2 competitors with a time of 1:27.202, as he continues his transition from the TA class, where he won two Trans Am Championships, to TA2. Ave was followed by Dillon Machavern, in the No. 24 UniFirst/PPG Ford Mustang, who continued his fine form following a second place finish at Homestead-Miami with a lap time of 1:27.300—once again strong enough to be second best in the session. Shane Lewis, in the No. 72 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro, was third fastest in the session with a time of 1:28.203.
Road racing veteran Tony Buffomante, in the No. 34 Bestline Superior Lubricants Ford Mustang, was fourth best in the session with a time of 1:28.102; while Gar Robinson, in the No. 74 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro, finished fifth with a time of 1:28.227 joining teammate Shane Lewis in the Top 5.
The second session, with TA and TA3 participating, was led by two-time defending Champion Doug Peterson, in the No. 87 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet Corvette, with a time of 1:21.869 as he locked down the top spot in the session. Amy Ruman, in the No. 23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Corvette, hot off two victories to begin the session, was second in the session with a time of 1:22.223; as she and Peterson continue their rivalry atop the charts.
Paul Fix, driver of the No. 4 Stopflex.com/TheCarCoach.com Chevrolet and Tony Ave Racing teammate of Peterson, was third in the session with a time of 1:23.016, a continuation of his fine early season form that has found him tied for second in TA class point standings.
David Pintaric, in the No. 57 Kryderacing Chevrolet Corvette, and Jim McAleese, in the No. 03 McAleese & Associates Jetco Engineering Chevrolet Corvette, finished fourth and fifth in the session with times of 1:24.214 and 1:24.376, respectively.
In TA3’s International Group, Randy Mueller, driver of the No. 16 MCM/Bimmerworld/RedLine/MCS/PFC BMW M3, led the group in his first-ever Trans Am appearance with a time of 1:30.679. Mueller was followed by Russ Snow, in the No. 20 Guardian Services/AIM Sports Chevrolet Corvette, who turned a time of 1:32.672, claiming second in the session. Jason Berkeley, defending TA3 International Group Champion and driver of the No. 67 BMG Management Chevrolet Corvette, was third quickest in the session with a time of 1:34.045.
Lee Saunder, current TA3 International points leader and driver of the No. 84 Landsearch LLC Dodge Viper, was fourth quickest in the session with a time of 1:34.603; while Jerry Greene, in the No. 93 Temp Air/ Porsche 996 GT3, was fifth in the session with a time of 1:36.199.
TA3’s American Muscle Group was led by defending Champion Ernie Francis, Jr., in the No. 9 Breathless Performance Chevrolet Camaro, with a time of 1:32.672; as he looks for a return to form after a slow start to the season. Current points leader Todd Napieralski, in the No. 39 Tremec/SKF/Backstreet Performance Chevrolet Camaro, was second fastest in the session with a time of 1:33.757. Thomas Ellis, hot off a group win at Homestead-Miami behind the wheel of his No. 00 Palm Express/Averitt/Steeda Ford Mustang, was third with a time of 1:34.973.
David Ricci, in the No. 72 Southeast Guardrail/ Britco Chevrolet Camaro, was fourth fastest while Jason Fichter, in the No. 79 Turn 7 Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, was fifth with times of 1:36.266 and 1:26.457, respectively.
Trans Am will return to the track at 11:15 a.m. EDT for “Fast Five” qualifying, beginning with TA immediately, TA2 at 11:30, and TA3 at 11:45. The Series will return to the track for a second practice at 2:30 p.m. with the TA2 class and then TA and TA3 at 2:45 and the second chance to qualify at 3:00 p.m.
Saturday will feature two Trans Am Races, the Foametix Trans Am 100 and the Foametix Muscle Car Challenge. The Foametix Muscle Car Challenge, featuring TA2, will take to the track at 9:40 a.m., followed by TA and TA3 in the Foametix Trans Am 100 at 11:40 a.m., with both races constituting 40 laps around the Road Atlanta track, 101.6 miles.
Keep up with all the action at www.gotransam.com, www.facebook.com/gotransam and on Twitter at @gotransam. Live timing and scoring is available at www.gotransam.com/live-timing.
