Trans Am Series set for Motor City Return, 50 Year Celebration
June 2, 2016
Champions and more gather for invitational showcase at Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix
DETROIT, Mich. [JUNE 2, 2016] – The Trans Am Series is set to make its long-awaited return to the city of Detroit with the Motor City 100, presented by 3-Dimensional Services Group, in support of the 2016 Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix June 3-5.
Detroit fans of the Motor City 100 will now find a much different Trans Am Series than that of 2001, the series’ last appearance. The thunderous GT cars of the TA class remain, now with more horsepower than ever before, and are now joined by two additional classes: - TA2, the modern re-creation of Trans Am’s infamous pony car wars, and TA4, pure American muscle production-based racing. Together they create a unique show full of Camaros, Mustangs, Challengers and Corvettes very much at home on the 2.36-mile Belle Isle circuit.
The invitational event, independent of the 2016 Trans Am Championship, will feature 25 cars from across the TA, TA2 and TA4 classes in two 50-minute races, comprising the Motor City 100. The entry list includes some of the icons of the modern Trans Am Series with current and former champions Chuck Cassaro, Ernie Francis, Jr., Simon Gregg, Cameron Lawrence, Greg Pickett, Doug Peterson, Gar Robinson and Amy Ruman all set to take center stage in the Motor City in a talent-packed grid.
In total, five TA class entrants, Ave, Gregg, Pickett, Peterson and Ruman, have had the accolade of being a Trans Am Champion, forming one of the most competitive fields in recent memories.
While Ruman, the defending class champion driver of the No. 23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Corvette, and Gregg, 2012 champion in the No. 59 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, currently campaign full time in Trans Am, Pickett, the 1978 champion, races select events over the course of the year.
Also making his return to the TA class is Doug Peterson, 2013 and 2014 Trans Am Champion. The Motor City 100 will mark his first appearance in Trans Am since the conclusion of the 2015 season behind the wheel of the No. 87 3Dimensional.com Cadillac CTS-V. He will be joined by John Baucom, Claudio Burtin, Paul Fix and RJ Lopez to form one of the most condensed talent pools the TA class has seen in recent years.
In TA2, defending champion Gar Robinson, in the No. 74 Pura Vida Tequila/74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro, will be faced with an equally difficult challenge with a host of challengers ready to battle it out in the modern day pony wars. Key amongst them will be 2013 and 2014 TA2 Champion Cameron Lawrence, in the No. 11 TI Automotive Dodge Challenger, as he returns to the class he helped define from 2011 to 2015 in search of a Detroit win.
TA2 will also feature two-time championship runner up Adam Andretti, in the No. 44 ECC/ Anchor Bolt and Screw Dodge Challenger, along with the talents of rookie Louis-Phillipe Montour, Kyle Marcelli, Marc Miller, Tom Sheehan, and AJ Henriksen.
The TA4 class will continue its production-racing showcase, with all eyes on two-time defending champion Ernie Francis, Jr., the 18-year-old driver of the No. 98 BetaTools/Liquid Performance Chevrolet Camaro. Francis has been dominant throughout the past two years in Trans Am, hauling in victories and silverware aplenty.
In order to secure a Detroit victory, Francis will need to overcome the likes of Michigan’s own Dean Martin, Craig Capaldi and Todd Napieralski, as well as the talents of Chris Outzen, Nate Stacy and Chuck Cassaro.
In addition to the Motor City 100, the Trans Am Series will be holding a 50 Year Anniversary Celebration Dinner at the Edison Institute the evening of Thursday June 2. The dinner, hosted by Trans Am legend Tommy Kendall, will feature the likes of Lyn St. James, Tony Ave, Mike Miller, Pete Halsmer, Penske Executive Vice President Walt Czarnecki, and Jack Roush himself. Together the participants will take the audience through the 50-year history of Trans Am, offering a unique, behind the scenes look at America’s road racing series.
Fans can keep up with the action throughout the Motor City 100, presented by 3-Dimensional Services Group at www.gotransam.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam and on Twitter at @gotransam.
Friday, June 3, 2016
9:50 AM - 10:15 AM Trans Am Practice - All Classes
2:40 PM - 3:10 PM Trans Am Qualifying - All Classes
Saturday, June 4, 2016
8:55 AM - 9:45 AM 3-Dimensional Services Group Motor City 100 - Dual 1
9:45 AM - 9:55 AM Post-race Ceremonies
Sunday, June 5, 2016
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Trans Am Driver Autograph Session
11:40 AM - 12:30 PM 3-Dimensional Services Group Motor City 100 - Dual 2
12:30 PM - 12:40 PM Post Race Ceremonies
ALL TIMES EST
About:
3-Dimensional Services Group:
The 3-Dimensional Services Group is a global leader in rapid manufacturing incorporating full-service prototype, low-volume production and assembly. The companies utilize state-of-the-art technology to provide flexible manufacturing solutions to its customers with a unique approach to tooling and design validation without compromising quality, all to meet the demands of today’s compressed timing. The companies’ capabilities include rapid prototyping of solid models; state-of-the-art fiber laser technology to cut, weld, drill and surface treat; robotic lasers for fabricating; waterjet cutting; high-speed CNC machining centers for power, speed and accuracy; stamping, forming and injection molding presses as well as a pattern and model shop.
The Trans Am Series:
The Trans Am Series, America’s Road Racing Series, began igniting the passion of motorsports fans across the world in 1966 and has been home to some of the greatest names in road racing. Today, Trans Am continues to honor its legacy, while challenging the status quo in racing, through meaningful racing platforms and a driver-oriented focus. The Trans Am Series is operated by The Trans Am Race Company, LLC (TARC), through a five-year agreement in which TARC oversees the management and marketing of the Trans Am Series. SCCA Pro Racing sanctions Trans Am events and provides operations services to the Series.
Defending Champions include: Amy Ruman (TA), Gar Robinson (TA2), Ernie Francis, Jr., (TA3 American Muscle) and Lee Saunders (TA3 International). For more on the Trans Am Series visit www.gotransam.com, “like” Trans Am on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam, or follow Trans Am on Twitter at @gotransam.
