Ricky Brooks announced as TA2 Technical Director
October 11, 2016
Series will conduct top-to-bottom review of technical rules for 2017
MIAMI, Fla. [October 11, 2016] – The Trans Am Series has formally announced the addition of Ricky Brooks as Technical Director for the TA2 class. Brooks brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience with the TA2 class platform, as the Series prepares to up its investment in technical compliance and cost containment.
“From the very beginning, Ricky Brooks was our number one target for the position,” said John Clagett, President of The Trans Am Race Company. “We did not want someone who could just maintain the status quo or simply handle the work; we wanted a true expert for the class—someone who knows the ins and outs of this racecar platform and is capable of instituting a technical program that upholds the value that TA2 was founded under: cost control and driver competition.”
Brooks brings with him a vast array of experience in and out of the racecar, primarily in chassis nearly identical to those manufactured by Series’ Official Chassis providers Howe Racing Enterprises and Mike Cope Racing Enterprises. From 1984 to 2013, Brooks manufactured and repaired Late Model and Modified chassis racecars, while taking those very cars to the track—winning two Super Late Model Championships and one Open Wheel Modified Championship.
Since 2005, Brooks has worked as a Technical Director for a multitude of competitions, including: The Snowball Derby, All American 400, Speedweeks, Winter Showdown, Southern Super Series and Sunoco Challenge Series. Aside from day-to-day technical staff management and inspection, Brooks also wrote and maintained rules and regulations for many of those series while instituting a rigorous technical compliance system.
“I'm thankful and excited that the ownership has given me with an opportunity to take on TA2 and provide a level playing field for all competitors,” said Brooks. “In my eyes rules are black and white with no grey area and I'm here to enforce them. I'm excited with the opportunity to crossover into the road racing world from circle track racing. I just hope road racing is ready for rules to be enforced because I'm not going to look the other way for anyone—I’m here to make sure that TA2 competition is the best it can be.”
“With Ricky now on board, the Series will begin an immediate review of the TA2 technical rules package,” said Clagett. “Our aim is not to drastically change the way these cars function, but rather to target potential loopholes and make sure that our rules package is in line with the original premise of the TA2 class, focusing on cost-control. Ultimately we not only want, but need, to put in place a top level technical compliance system for the TA2 class— a goal we will pursue relentlessly. TA2 should always be a platform that showcases driver talent, and we’re taking steps to ensure that.”
Brooks will be in attendance at NOLA and Daytona as the 2016 Trans Am Championship winds down, and at all Trans Am events in the 2017 Trans Am Championship.
