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The Trans-Am Series presented by Pirelli is a sports car racing series held in North America. Founded in 1966, it is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). Primarily based in the United States, the series competes on a variety of track types including road courses and street circuits. Trans-Am is split into the TA and TA2 classes for silhouette racing cars, while its production classes are the GT (grand touring), SGT (super grand touring), and XGT (extreme grand touring).

Key Information

It was known as the CRC Chemicals Trans-Am Championship (1981–1983), the SCCA Budweiser Trans-Am Championship (1983–1984), the SCCA Bendix Brakes Trans-Am Championship (1985–1987), the SCCA Escort Trans-Am Series (1988) the SCCA Liquid Tide Trans-Am Tour (1991), the SCCA Tide Trans-Am Tour (1992), the NTB Trans-Am Series (1998), the BFGoodrich Trans-Am Series (1999–2000), the Trans-Am Series for the BFGoodrich Cup (2001–2002), the Motorock Trans-Am Tour for the BFGoodrich Cup (2003), the Motorock Trans-Am Series (2004), and the Muscle Milk SCCA Trans-Am Series (2009).

Origins

[edit]
See also: History of the Trans-Am Series

The Trans-Am Series was created in 1966 by Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) President John Bishop. Originally known as the Trans-American Sedan Championship, the name was changed to the Trans-American Championship for 1967 and henceforth.[1] The series has in fact gone by at least twenty different names through the years. Some were linked to sponsors, some not.[2] It has evolved over time from its original format as a Manufacturers' Championship series for modified passenger sedans and coupés to its current form as a Drivers' / Manufacturers' Championship Series that is open to GT style racecars. Champion drivers have been officially recognized, and Drivers' Championships awarded since the 1972 season.[3] The series was cancelled after 2006 but was revived in 2009, using SCCA GT-1 based cars.[4]

Over the years, the series has raced on a variety of different types of race tracks (Permanent and temporary road courses / street circuits / airport circuits) all over the country, as well as at venues in Canada, Mexico, and even San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2003. Since 2015, Trans Am has been a national series (Continental U.S. only), racing at tracks primarily throughout the East Coast, South, and Midwest. In 2017, the new stand-alone West Coast Championship was added to the Trans-Am Series. Currently, there are six races on the schedule, two of which are joint, or "shared" races with the national Championship series, in which drivers from both championship series race together in the same races, but only earn points in the championship series that they are entered in. The Trans Am series also awards the Northern Cup and Southern Cup which give points in certain races of the national series for competitors who do not run the full season.

Current series format

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Tire suppliers and presenting sponsor

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In 2017, Pirelli became the exclusive tire supplier (replacing Hoosier Racing Tire) and presenting sponsor for the Trans Am Series, and all classes use Pirelli P ZERO radial ply racing slicks.[5] The change from bias ply tires to Pirelli P ZERO radial tires has been very well received, and has resulted in faster average speeds and improved lap times in all four classes.[6]

Schedules

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In late 2016, the Trans Am Race Company (TARC) announced that after a long absence, the Trans Am Series would return to the West Coast with the 2017 Trans Am West Coast Championship, partnering with the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA).[7] The West Coast Championship Series consists of a separate 3 race competition, plus one round that is shared with the Trans Am Championship Series at Circuit of the Americas. (3 permanent road courses / 1 temporary road course)

For 2017, the schedule was reorganized, with five race venues (Homestead-Miami Speedway, Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen, Virginia International Raceway, and New Jersey Motorsports Park) receiving new dates, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway being added, and Louisiana's NOLA Motorsports Park being dropped.

For 2018, the Brainerd, MN and New Jersey Motorsports Park races were dropped, and a race at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex was added for the TA, TA3, and TA4 classes only. There are now 12 race venues on the Trans Am Championship Series schedule (8 permanent road courses / 3 temporary road courses / 1 temporary street circuit), with the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear race[8] being open to TA2 class cars only. There are actually 13 actual races on the schedule, as the TA2 cars race twice in Detroit.

For 2018, the West Coast Championship's race at Willow Springs, CA was dropped, Sonoma, CA was added, and a shared race at INDY was added, expanding their series to a separate 3 round competition, plus two shared races (3 permanent road courses / 2 temporary road courses).

The schedule for 2019 continues to be 12 races long (including two "shared events" with the West Coast Championship Series), but the mid-April Homestead, Florida race date changes to an early May event at Weathertech Raceway, Laguna Seca, California—the first time the series has raced there since 2004. The early August Pittsburgh race was also dropped, having been replaced by the Memorial Day Motorsports Festival at Connecticut's Lime Rock Park, the first time the series will have raced there in three years, and it will be the thirtieth time overall. Additionally, the Indianapolis race weekend moves from mid-June to early August, and the "shared" Circuit of the Americas (COTA) race weekend moves from early November back to early October. The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear moves from early June to May 31—June 2, just four days after the event at Lime Rock Park ends. The season finale at Daytona International Speedway moves up one week to mid-November.

On the 2019 West Coast Championship schedule, the season is one race longer (6), and opens a couple of weeks earlier at Willows, California's Thunderhill Raceway Park. The shared event at Laguna Seca takes place in early May, with Sonoma moving from early June to mid-June, replacing the shared event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The shared event at Circuit of the Americas (CoTA) moves from early November to early October.

For 2020, the season finale at Daytona was dropped due to unresolvable scheduling conflicts, and after a two-year absence, the race at Brainerd, Minnesota was reinstated to honor the late Jed Copham, the track's co-owner and part time Trans Am Series driver. The season's grand finale in both series will now be the shared event at Circuit Of The Americas (CoTA), with that race being moved from October to November. The Indianapolis race is the only event that is open to all competitors who are registered to race in the Trans Am Championship series, or either of the regional sub-championship series. In the West Coast Championship series, the season will start one month earlier (mid-March) at Sonoma Raceway, which will for the first time ever also hold a second race in late August to make up for the Auto Club Speedway race being dropped. Other than this and minor reordering, the schedule remains at six races, with Laguna Seca as the other shared event with both series racing together.

On March 17, 2020, the Road Atlanta round was postponed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the start of a series of postponements and cancellations that lead to a revised schedule being announced on April 7, 2020. In this schedule, the Detroit round was dropped reducing the series to an 11-round championship. Unfortunately the planned restart of the series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was also postponed with a new date for the track still to be determined and the series resuming at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course instead. The rounds at Watkins Glen and Lime Rock Park were the final casualties of the outbreak with late cancellations leading to double headers at Virginia International Raceway and Road Atlanta.

In 2021, for the first time since 2017, the series will return to Homestead-Miami Speedway. Trans-Am will also be having its first ever race at the newly renovated Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval and a TA2-only round at the inaugural running of the Music City Grand Prix on the streets of Nashville. No double-headers are scheduled to return following their appearances in 2020; however, all tracks that were featured on the preliminary 2020 calendar are scheduled for 2021 as well. For the first time in series history, Trans-Am instituted a drop-round system where competitors can choose to drop their two worst round results including non-appearances that took place before August 1.

Car classifications

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Tube-frame / silhouette body

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TA
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Vinnie Allegretta's Chevrolet Corvette C7

TA class cars are high-performance Grand Touring race cars with a tubular chassis and a Cadillac CTS-V, Chevrolet Camaro (Gen 6), Dodge Challenger (Gen 3), or Ford Mustang (Gen 6) full-scale replica body built by Advanced Composite Products or Derhaag Motorsports. All body types are eligible from the first year of production of the street car to five years after production ends. After each body model's full eligibility ends, each body will be partially eligible for an additional five years, and may be used in up to five races per year of eligibility. Cars may use a single-element rear wing.

Older body styles may continue to be used in the West Coast Championship, Northern Regional Cup, and Southern Regional Cup for an additional 10-years after partial-eligibility for the National Championship has ended. Cars using a Trans Am approved body model with bodies from alternate manufacturers that are approved to run in the SCCA Club GT1 class may be approved to run in the West Coast Championship, Northern Regional Cup, or Southern Regional Cup on a case-by-case basis.

Power comes from overhead valve (two per cylinder), pushrod, naturally aspirated, carbureted (single 4-barrel) 366 cubic inch (5.99 L) V8 engines producing 850+ horsepower.[9][10] The minimum base weight is 2,780 pounds. Current rules[11] allow for the use of leaded gasoline, whereas all other classes except XGT must use unleaded gas. Automatic transmissions are prohibited, and manual transmissions must have no more than five forward gear ratios, as well as a functional reverse gear. Sequential shifting transmissions are permitted, as well as commercially available No-Lift Shift (NLS) systems, and also "auto-blip" RPM matching systems for downshifting. Traction Control systems or devices that function independently of the driver are strictly prohibited, as is ABS (Anti-skid Braking System).

TA2
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Cameron Lawrence gave Dodge its first ever Trans Am Series Championship in 2014

TA2 class rules specify a tubular chassis built by Howe Racing Enterprises, Mike Cope Racing, M-1 Motorsports, or Meissen Enterprises, and a Chevrolet Camaro (Gen 5 & 6), Ford Mustang (Gen 5 & 6), Dodge Challenger (Gen 3) body (full-scale replica) or Toyota Camry built by either Five Star Racing Race Car Bodies[12] (Gen 6 Camaros / Mustangs), or Howe Racing Enterprises (all other eligible cars). The minimum base weight (including driver and any driver gear) for all cars is 2,830 pounds.

TA2 engines are similar to TA engines, except that they must be supplied by a Trans Am Approved and Certified Engine Builder/Rebuilder, and use fuel injection rather than a carburetor, as well as a Trans Am certified inlet restrictor plate, as maximum power is limited to 490 HP and 447 lb-ft of torque. Engines must comply with all TA2 engine regulations, and are sealed by the builder/rebuilder. As per current rules, "Nothing may direct or force air to the filter or housing." Transmissions must be commercially available, "H pattern" manual units with four forward gear ratios (1:1 fourth gear ratio, and no overdrive) and a reverse gear. Sequential shift mechanisms are not allowed, nor are shift-without-lift mechanisms. Traction Control devices or systems that function independently of the driver are strictly prohibited, as is ABS (Anti-skid Braking System).

The costs of shock absorbers, brake calipers and pads, and wheels are controlled, and no titanium or carbon fiber components are allowed. Only the driver's seat and Derhaag single plane rear wing may be constructed using carbon fiber.

TA2 is currently Trans Am's most popular class among competitors and has been exported internationally to Europe, Asia and Australia.

Production based

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XGT
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New for 2020, the Xtreme Grand Touring (XGT) class will be used for former FIA Group GT3 cars whose homologation has expired under SRO and FIA regulations. During the 2019 Indianapolis Motor Speedway round, an Audi R8 whose GT3 homologation had expired was placed in the SGT class. After Trans Am Series officials and owners of former GT3 cars that could not be raced in a GT3 series following the expiration of the car's GT3 homologation had discussions, the series' officials announced that for the 2020 season, the "Xtreme Grand Touring" class will be part of the series. All original period-correct GT3 specifications will be enforced, and the series intends for 2016 and earlier cars that have had expired homologations to participate.[13]

SGT
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Cars such as this Porsche 991.2 are strong competitors in the SGT class

This class is intended to be a place for "... sports cars, grand touring cars, performance coupes, and performance sedans, all with their varying engines and drivetrain layouts..." to race. Unlike GT class cars, the current rules allow them to compete at a higher level of vehicle preparation. Some engines are required to have restrictor plates, for the purpose of equalizing performance.[14] SGT class cars must be of a number of different specified domestic or foreign makes, models, and year of manufacture, from American "muscle cars", such as Chevy Corvettes and Camaros, Dodge Challengers and Vipers, and Ford Mustangs to European exotics like Aston Martins, Ferraris, Ginettas, Ligiers, McLarens, Mercedes-AMGs, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, Panozes, and Porsches, as well as Asian exotics, such as Acura NSXs. Eligible cars up to fifteen years old will now be able to race in the series, and for five years after that, partially eligible cars will be able to race in up to six races per year of eligibility. Standard body appearance must be maintained, including the OEM grille and badge. Aftermarket or OEM rear wings are allowed. As with GT, Tube frames are not allowed, but roll cages are mandatory. Minimum Vehicle Base Weights may be changed for the same purpose.

GT
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2017 Champion Brian Kleeman's 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302

This class complies more with the classic Trans Am standards of "the glory era", and is the entry-level class of the three production-based classes within the Trans Am Series. "All vehicles must be production based, whether mass-production or limited-production, or a "kit car" that matches the look and performance of the GT class, and is available to the general public" (including 'track specific' models),[15] such as Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros, Dodge Vipers, Nissan 350Zs, Porsche Caymans, or Mercedes-AMGs, and many more. The class is intended to be a competition between late model, nearly stock, high-performance cars, and as the introductory level for Trans Am Series beginners to start racing. As with the SGT class, there is a fifteen-year period of full eligibility, and a five-year period of partial eligibility for eligible makes and models where a maximum of six races may be run. OEM rear spoilers/wings may be used. As with SGT, some engines are required to have approved restrictor plates, for the purpose of equalizing performance.[14] Minimum Vehicle Base Weights are adjusted depending on optional components used.

Championships and awards

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Originally, Manufacturers' Championship points were awarded in all classes to the top 6 finishing positions of each make of car: 9-6-4-3-2-1. Beginning in 1972, the SCCA instituted a Drivers' Championship that would be based on overall finishing position from 1st through 10th places: 20-15-12-10-8-6-4-3-2-1. Beginning in 1990, the top 25 finishers were awarded points as follows: 30-27-25-23-21-19-18-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-1.

Currently, Manufacturers' Championship points are earned in exactly the same manner as they were originally. (*Vehicles must be classified as finishers to score Manufacturers' points.) Final point standings ties will be decided by which manufacturer has more wins, second-place finishes, etc., as necessary to determine the winner.

Series Champions in each of the four competition classes are determined based on points accumulated during the season. Drivers' Championship points are awarded as follows: At each race, after Qualifying has been completed, 3 points are awarded to the First Qualifier, 2 to the Second Qualifier, and 1 to the Third Qualifier. The top 24 finishers in each class, at each race are awarded points as follows: 30-27-25-23-21-20-19-18-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2. All other finishers are awarded 1 point, provided the driver is classified as a starter. After the first green flag lap of a race, 1 point is awarded to any driver leading a lap in class, as well as 1 point for leading the most laps in class for each race. "In the event qualifying was not held due to any reason, Drivers Championship points will not be awarded." (A driver must be classified as a starter to score Championship points.)

The West Coast Championship Series operates just like the national championship. Points earned at shared events only count toward the series that the driver / team is currently entered in. If a race counts toward more than one championship series, a driver wishing to earn points for more than one championship must formally enter each series.

After the results of each race are "final", the COOLSHIRT Systems "Cool Move of the Race" Award (If applicable, it is given to the outstanding driver of the race, and the "move" could also be a 'move up through the field'.), pitboxes.com Crew Award, and Traq Gear Crew Chief Award are given out.

Series Champions are awarded the brand new for 2017 Trigon Trophy (sponsored by 3-Dimensional Services Group, and custom designed by longtime partner Crystal Sensations).[16] According to The Trans Am Race Company, LLC President John Claggett, "The base is shaped as a "D"... The crystal is essentially 3 sided... thus... the Trigon Trophy reflects the sponsorship. And yes... They are beautiful." The Trans Am Series' traditional colors are red and black, and Pirelli's color is yellow, with The Trigon Trophies incorporating those design elements.

2018 introduced the Northern Cup and Southern Cup Regional sub-championships for teams that either do not wish to, or cannot run the entire race schedule, and have run a limited number of races in the past. There are very specific requirements for entry into the regional championships, as they are intended to allow drivers to try competing in the series before committing to running the full schedule of events. A driver / team may earn points in one or both championship series, or either the Northern or Southern Cup sub-championship series, but not in both a sub-championship series and also a championship series.

Also new for 2018 is the Master's Championship, which is intended to recognize drivers still actively competing on the racetrack who are over 65 years of age. Again, the points schedule for driver's championship points will be used. The highest finishing Master's Championship driver in each class will be recognized during the podium ceremony after each race. At the end of the year, the top three Master's Championship drivers in each regional series will be recognized at the series awards banquet.

Rookie of the Year winners in each class are also determined by points accumulated during the season.

New for 2018 is the Trans Am Team Championship, with points being awarded to each car/car number. Multiple drivers may compete in the same car / car number in order to earn points towards the Team Championship. The number of points earned follows the same methodology as in the Driver's Championship (according to finishing position), but as the rule book states, "In addition to the points earned on-track, teams will be judged by several factors that embody a professional team and help promote, and improve, the Series".

For the 2021 season, the Trans Am Series in partnership with the Sports Car Club of America created the Pro/Am Challenge.[17] The Pro/Am Challenge allows SCCA drivers to compete in Trans Am using the 2021 SCCA road racing rulebook for their cars, making the transition back and forth between the SCCA Road Racing program and Trans Am much easier. This secondary championship is open to all five Trans Am classes and the primary SCCA classes that fit into these Trans Am classes are GT1, GT2, GTX, T1, T2, T3 and STO. The various cars are balanced into the correct Trans Am class with minor weight and restrictor changes. The Pro/Am Challenge requires competitors to compete in the two specific Pro/Am Challenge rounds and pick four other Trans Am Series or West Coast Trans Am Series races in which they will earn points. Points are awarded using the same system as the main Trans Am Series championship.

*See current rule book for complete information on all Trans Am Series rules and regulations.

Manufacturers / drivers championships

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National championship

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Year Champion manufacturer[18] Champion driver Car Team / Sponsor
1966 Over 2-liter – United States Ford Not awarded [19]
Under 2-liter –

Italy Alfa Romeo[19]

1967 Over 2-liter – United States Ford Not awarded [20]
Under 2-liter – Germany Porsche[20]
1968 Over 2-liter – United States Chevrolet Not awarded [21]
Under 2-liter – Germany Porsche[21]
1969 Over 2-liter – United States Chevrolet Not awarded [22]
Under 2-liter – Germany Porsche[22]
1970 Over 2-liter – United States Ford Not awarded [23]
Under 2-liter –

Italy Alfa Romeo[23]

1971 Over 2.5-liter –

United States American Motors

Not awarded [24]
Under 2.5-liter –

Japan Datsun[24][25]

1972 Over 2.5-liter –

United States American Motors

Over 2.5-liter –

United States George Follmer

AMC Javelin Roy Woods Racing
Under 2.5-liter – Japan Datsun[26] Under 2.5-liter –

United States John Morton

Datsun 510 Brock Racing Enterprises
1973 Germany Porsche United States Peter Gregg Porsche 911 Brumos Porsche
1974 Germany Porsche United States Peter Gregg Porsche 911 Brumos Porsche
1975 United States Chevrolet United States John Greenwood Chevrolet Corvette John Greenwood Racing
1976 Cat. 1 – United States American Motors Cat. 1 – United States Jocko Maggiacomo AMC Javelin Jocko's
Cat. 2 – Germany Porsche Cat. 2 – United States George Follmer Porsche 934 Vasek Polak Racing
1977 Cat. 1 – Germany Porsche Cat. 1 – United States Bob Tullius Jaguar XJS Group 44
Cat. 2 – Germany Porsche Cat. 2 – Canada Ludwig Heimrath Porsche 934 Heimrath Racing
1978 Cat. 1 – United Kingdom Jaguar Cat. 1 – United States Bob Tullius Jaguar XJS Group 44
Cat. 2 – United States Chevrolet Cat. 2 – United States Greg Pickett Chevrolet Corvette Pickett Racing
1979 Cat. 1 – United States Chevrolet Cat. 1 – United States Gene Bothello Chevrolet Corvette FEMSA/Kennedy
Cat. 2 – Germany Porsche Cat. 2 – United States John Paul, Sr. Porsche 935 John Paul, Sr.
1980 Germany Porsche United States John Bauer Porsche 911 Larry Green Racing
1981 United States Chevrolet Canada Eppie Wietzes Chevrolet Corvette Swiss Chalet
1982 United States Pontiac United States Elliott Forbes-Robinson Pontiac Firebird Huffaker Engineering
1983 United States Chevrolet United Kingdom David Hobbs Chevrolet Camaro DeAtley Motorsports
1984 United States Lincoln Mercury United States Tom Gloy Mercury Capri Lane Sports Racing
1985 United States Lincoln Mercury United States Wally Dallenbach Jr. Mercury Capri Roush Racing
1986 United States Lincoln Mercury United States Wally Dallenbach Jr. Mercury Capri Selix/Protofab Racing
1987 United States Lincoln Mercury United States Scott Pruett Merkur XR4Ti Roush Racing
1988 Germany Audi United States Hurley Haywood Audi 200 Quattro Turbo Group 44
1989 United States Ford United States Dorsey Schroeder Ford Mustang Roush Racing
1990 United States Chevrolet United States Tommy Kendall Chevrolet Beretta Spice Engineering
1991 United States Chevrolet United States Scott Sharp Chevrolet Camaro American Equipment Racing
1992 United States Chevrolet United States Jack Baldwin Chevrolet Camaro American Equipment Racing
1993 United States Chevrolet United States Scott Sharp Chevrolet Camaro American Equipment Racing
1994 United States Ford United States Scott Pruett Chevrolet Camaro American Equipment Racing
1995 United States Ford United States Tommy Kendall Ford Mustang Roush Racing
1996 United States Ford United States Tommy Kendall Ford Mustang Roush Racing
1997 United States Ford United States Tommy Kendall Ford Mustang Roush Racing
1998 United States Chevrolet United States Paul Gentilozzi Chevrolet Corvette Rocketsports Racing
1999 United States Ford United States Paul Gentilozzi Ford Mustang Rocketsports Racing
2000 United States Ford United States Brian Simo Qvale Mangusta Huffaker/Qvale Motorsports
2001 United Kingdom Jaguar United States Paul Gentilozzi Jaguar XKR Rocketsports Racing
2002 United States Ford United States Boris Said Panoz Esperante ACS Express Racing
2003 United Kingdom Jaguar United States Scott Pruett Jaguar XKR Rocketsports Racing
2004 United Kingdom Jaguar United States Paul Gentilozzi Jaguar XKR Rocketsports Racing
2005 United Kingdom Jaguar Germany Klaus Graf Jaguar XKR Rocketsports Racing
2006 --- Not Awarded --- United States Paul Gentilozzi Jaguar XKR Rocketsports Racing
2007 --- No Trans-Am Series ---
2008 --- No Trans-Am Series ---
2009 United Kingdom Jaguar United States Tomy Drissi Jaguar XKR Rocketsports Racing
2010 United States Chevrolet United States Tony Ave Chevrolet Corvette Lamers Racing
2011 United States Chevrolet TA1: United States Tony Ave Chevrolet Corvette Lamers Racing
TA2: United States Bob Stretch Chevrolet Camaro Fix Rim Mobile Wheel Repair
2012 United States Chevrolet TA: United States Simon Gregg Chevrolet Corvette Derhaag Motorsports
TA2: United States Bob Stretch Chevrolet Camaro Fix Rim Mobile Wheel Repair
United States Ford GGT: United States Chuck Cassaro Panoz Esperante GTS Cassaro Racing
2013 United States Chevrolet TA: United States Doug Peterson Chevrolet Corvette Tony Ave Racing
TA2: United States Cameron Lawrence Chevrolet Camaro Miller Racing
United States Ford TA3-American Muscle:

United States Chuck Cassaro

Ford Mustang Cassaro Racing
Germany Porsche TA3-International:

United States David C. Seuss

Porsche 996 GT3 Northern Light
2014 United States Chevrolet TA: United States Doug Peterson Chevrolet Corvette Tony Ave Racing
United States Dodge TA2: United States Cameron Lawrence Dodge Challenger Miller Racing
United States Chevrolet TA3-American Muscle:

United States Ernie Francis Jr.

Chevrolet Camaro Breathless Performance Racing
TA3-International:

United States Jason Berkeley

Chevrolet Corvette C6R BMG Management
2015 United States Chevrolet TA: United States Amy Ruman Chevrolet Corvette Ruman Racing
TA2: United States Gar Robinson Chevrolet Camaro Robinson Racing
TA3-American Muscle:

United States Ernie Francis Jr.

Chevrolet Camaro Breathless Performance Racing
United States Dodge TA3-International:

United States Lee Saunders

Dodge Viper V10 PWR Racing
2016 United States Chevrolet TA: United States Amy Ruman Chevrolet Corvette Ruman Racing
United States Ford TA2: United States Tony Buffomante Ford Mustang Mike Cope Racing
Germany BMW TA3: United States Randy Mueller BMW M3 Epic Motorsports
United States Ford TA4: United States Ernie Francis Jr. Ford Mustang Breathless Performance Racing
Germany Porsche TA5: United States Tim Kezman Porsche 997 Fall-Line Motorsports
2017 United States Ford TA: United States Ernie Francis Jr. Ford Mustang Breathless Performance Racing
United States Chevrolet TA2: United States Gar Robinson Chevrolet Camaro Robinson Racing
Germany Porsche TA3: United States Mark Boden Porsche 991 GT3 Cup Fall-Line Motorsports
United States Ford TA4: United States Brian Kleeman Ford Mustang DWW Motorsports
2018 United States Ford TA: United States Ernie Francis Jr. Ford Mustang / Chevrolet Camaro Breathless Performance Racing
United States Chevrolet TA2: Brazil Rafa Matos Chevrolet Camaro Coleman Motorsports
United Kingdom Ginetta TA3: Brazil Alline Cipriani Ginetta G55 Ginetta USA Racing
United Kingdom Ginetta TA4: United States Warren Dexter Ginetta G55 Dexter Racing
2019 United States Ford TA: United States Ernie Francis Jr. Ford Mustang Breathless Performance Racing
United States Chevrolet TA2: United States Marc Miller Dodge Challenger Stevens-Miller Racing
Germany Porsche SGT: United States Mark Boden Porsche 991 GT3 Cup Fall-Line Motorsports
United Kingdom Aston Martin GT: United States Steven Davison Aston Martin Vantage Automatic Racing
2020 United States Ford TA: United States Ernie Francis Jr. Ford Mustang Breathless Performance Racing
United States Chevrolet TA2: United States Mike Skeen Chevrolet Camaro / Ford Mustang Stevens-Miller Racing
Germany Audi XGT: United States Ken Thwaits Audi R8 GT3 Ultra Showtime Motorsports
United States Dodge SGT: United States Lee Saunders Dodge Viper V10 PWR Racing
United States Ford GT: United States Billy Griffin Ford Mustang Griffin Motorsports
2021 United States Ford TA: United States Chris Dyson Ford Mustang Plaid / ALTWELL CBD
United States Ford TA2: Brazil Rafa Matos Ford Mustang 3 Dimensional Services
Germany Porsche XGT: United States Erich Joiner Porsche 991 GT3 R Good Boy Bob Coffee
United States Chevrolet SGT: United States Justin Oakes Chevrolet Corvette Droneworks
United States Ford GT: United States Philip Di Pippo Ford Mustang Sasco Sports
2022 United States Ford TA: United States Chris Dyson Ford Mustang Gym Weed / Altwell
United States Ford TA2: United States Thomas Merrill Ford Mustang Mike Cope Racing
Germany Audi / Porsche XGT: United States Danny Lowry Audi R8 LMS / Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Bridgehaul / Bennett / Pitboxes
Germany Porsche SGT: United States Milton Grant Porsche 911 (991.1) Sentry Self Storage / Springhill Suites
United States Ford GT: United States Billy Griffin Ford Mustang Griffin Auto Care / Sheehan Towing
2023 United States Ford TA: United States Chris Dyson Ford Mustang Gym Weed
United States Ford TA2: United States Brent Crews Ford Mustang Nitro Motorsports
Germany Mercedes-AMG XGT: United States Danny Lowry Mercedes-AMG GT3 Bridgehaul / Bennett Family of Co.
United States Ford / Dodge SGT: United States Lee Saunders Ford Mustang / Dodge Viper Landsearch LLC
Germany Audi GT: United States Michael Attaway Audi R8 Bennett / Bridgehaul / Pitboxes.com
2024 United States Ford TA: United States Paul Menard Ford Mustang Menards
United States Ford TA2: Brazil Rafa Matos Ford Mustang Nitro Motorsports
Germany Mercedes-AMG XGT: United States Danny Lowry Mercedes-AMG GT3 Bridgehaul / Bennett Family of Co.
United States Chevrolet SGT: United States Kaylee Bryson Chevrolet Corvette Logical Systems / Sam Pierce Chevrolet
Italy Maserati GT: United States Chris Coffey Maserati GranTurismo MC GT4 Norwood Auto Italia

NOTE: In 1980, the Sports Car Club of America retroactively named an overall drivers' championships for all pre-1972 seasons, using the points system of the time to calculate drivers' championships. The SCCA and the Trans-Am Series now recognise these drivers as series champions.[27]

West coast championship

[edit]
Year Champion manufacturer Champion driver Car Team or sponsor
2017 United States Ford TA: United States Greg Pickett Ford Mustang Pickett Racing
United States Chevrolet TA2: United States Shane Lewis Chevrolet Camaro Pura Vida Tequila / 74 Ranch Resort
United States Chevrolet TA3: United States Oli Thordarson Chevrolet Corvette Alvaka Networks / Trackspec Motorsports
Italy Maserati TA4: United States Guy Dreier Maserati GranTurismo GT4 Guy Dreier Designs
2018 United States Chevrolet TA: United States Tomy Drissi Chevrolet Camaro GoShare
United States Ford TA2: United States Thomas Merrill Ford Mustang Big Diehl Racing
United States Chevrolet TA3: United States Oli Thordarson Chevrolet Corvette Alvaka Networks / Trackspec Motorsports
United States Ford TA4: United States Dane Jorgenson-Smith Ford Mustang Bob Smith Motors
2019 United States Chevrolet TA: United States Simon Gregg Chevrolet Corvette Derhaag Motorsports
United States Ford TA2: United States Brad McAllister Ford Mustang www.PortlandImplantDentistry.com
United States Factory Five SGT: United States Carl Rydquist Factory Five GTM www.MyRaceShop.com / Tel Tac
United States Ford GT: United States Roger Eagleton Ford Mustang Five Star Property Mgmt. / Energy Real Estate
2020 United States Ford TA: United States Greg Pickett Ford Mustang Pickett Racing
United States Ford TA2: United States Jim Gallaugher Ford Mustang Madison Development Group
Germany Mercedes-AMG XGT: United States Simon Gregg Mercedes-AMG GT3 Derhaag Motorsports
United States Factory Five SGT: United States Carl Rydquist Factory Five GTM MyRaceShop.com / Tel-Mac / Mendeola
United States Chevrolet GT: United States Joe Bogetich Chevrolet Camaro Westover Corporation
2021 United States Chevrolet TA: United States Steve Goldman Chevrolet Corvette LIG Racing
United States Ford TA2: United States Carl Rydquist Ford Mustang RaceCars4Rent / Group Wholesale
Germany Porsche XGT: United States Erich Joiner Porsche 991 GT3 R Good Boy Bob Coffee Roaster
Australia Holden SGT: United States John Schweitzer Holden Monaro Superior Builders Inc.
2022 United States Ford TA: United States Greg Pickett Ford Mustang Altwell CBD / Gym weed
United States Chevrolet TA2: United States Jeff Holden Chevrolet Camaro Mid Valley Trans / Joe's Racing Products
United States Ford XGT: United States Howard Johnston Ford Mustang IWS Acquisition Group
United States Ford SGT: United States Chris Evans Ford Mustang Chris Evans Inc.
United Kingdom McLaren GT: United States Xuanqian Wang McLaren 570S GT4 AURALIC North America
2023 United States Chevrolet TA: United States Steve Goldman Chevrolet Corvette LIG Racing
United States Ford TA2: Canada Brody Goble Ford Mustang Brown Brothers Ford / Cortex Performance
United States Chevrolet XGT: United States Will Rodgers Chevrolet Camaro / Ford Mustang Central Welding Supply
United States Ford SGT: United States Rudy Revak Ford Mustang / Pontiac Grand Prix Xyngular
United States Chevrolet GT: United States JC Meynet Chevrolet Corvette Killer Shrimp Racing
2024 United States Chevrolet TA: United States Steve Goldman Chevrolet Corvette LIG Racing
United States Ford TA2: United States Michael LaPaglia Ford Mustang Papini's Garage / Fast Auto
United States Ford XGT: United States Chris Evans Ford Mustang Central Welding Supply
Germany Porsche SGT: United States David Hampton Porsche Cayman GT4 RS AR Motorsports
Germany Porsche GT: United States David Hampton Porsche Cayman GT4 RS AR Motorsports

Class championships by manufacturer

[edit]
Manufacturer Championships
Ford 46
Chevrolet 42
Porsche 14
Jaguar 6
Dodge 4
American Motors (AMC) 3
Alfa Romeo 2
Datsun 2
Ginetta 2
Audi 2
Factory Five 2
Aston Martin 1
BMW 1
Maserati 1
Panoz 1
Pontiac 1
Qvale 1
Mercedes-AMG 1

Other series based on the format

[edit]

The Trans-Am Series has used tube-frame / silhouette cars, similar to the original IMSA GT Series, since the early 1980s, with heavy emphasis on GT cars. The SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge racing series, run by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), and the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), respectively, utilize modified production-based cars, sports cars, and touring cars, similar in spirit to the Trans-Am Series since the 1980s. With the rise of these other series, Trans-Am saw decreased attention from the media, however, Speedvision did occasionally cover Trans-Am races.

There are two popular TA2-based racing series in Australia, see Trans-Am racing in Australia.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Trans-Am Series

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from Grokipedia
The Trans-Am Series is a professional road racing championship in North America, founded on March 25, 1966, at Sebring International Raceway in Florida as the Trans American Sedan Championship, featuring American muscle cars and sports cars such as Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros, and Dodge Challengers across multiple competitive classes.[1] Originally emphasizing modified production sedans derived from the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) amateur classes, the series has evolved into a premier touring car competition sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing, with races held on road courses throughout the United States and Canada.[1][2] Key aspects of the Trans-Am Series include its class-based structure, which currently comprises five divisions: the premier TA class for silhouette-style race cars; TA2 for spec-tube-frame vehicles providing affordable, competitive racing; XGT for GT3-derived prototypes; SGT for grand touring cars; and GT for production-based sports cars, allowing for diverse grids of over 70 vehicles per event.[2] The series prioritizes driver skill over technological excess through rules like spec tires, fuel injection mandates, and handicapping systems introduced in the 1980s, fostering intense wheel-to-wheel battles while honoring its roots in the pony car era.[1][2] Historically, the Trans-Am Series marked a golden era in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with legendary drivers like Mark Donohue—who secured three championships (1968, 1969, 1971) and 29 victories—Parnelli Jones, and Peter Revson competing in iconic machinery from manufacturers including Ford, Chevrolet, and AMC.[1] Milestones include the shift to FIA Group 4 regulations in 1973, Porsche's dominance in the 1970s, and the introduction of tube-frame chassis in 1980, which escalated costs and led to periods of evolution, including a revival in 2009 under new management by the Trans Am Race Company.[1] Today, managed by Parella Motorsports Holdings since 2011, the series continues to grow with national broadcasts, international expansion like TA2 in Australia, and a focus on nostalgia-driven Americana, attracting both veteran racers and rising stars such as Ernie Francis Jr. and Amy Ruman.[2][1]

History

Origins and Founding

The Trans-Am Series was founded by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) on March 25, 1966, at Sebring International Raceway in Florida, initially named the Trans American Sedan Championship to establish a professional platform for sedan-based road racing that bridged amateur and professional competition.[3][4] The series was spearheaded by SCCA President John Bishop as a response to the growing popularity of American pony cars during the mid-1960s muscle car era.[5] The inaugural event emphasized close, wheel-to-wheel racing with modified production sedans, divided into two classes based on engine displacement: under 2.0 liters for smaller European imports like Alfa Romeos and Lotuses, and over 2.0 liters for powerful American V8 machines limited to 5.0 liters.[6][7] This format aimed to showcase stock-derived vehicles with minimal modifications, promoting accessibility and intense competition akin to street-legal performance.[8] In the first race, a 4-hour event with 44 entries, Jochen Rindt secured the overall victory in an Alfa Romeo GTA from the under 2.0-liter class, completing 67 laps, while Bob Tullius claimed the over 2.0-liter class win in a Dodge Dart, finishing one lap behind.[4][3] Early promotional efforts by the SCCA positioned the series as a North American rival to European touring car championships, attracting top drivers like A.J. Foyt and Richard Petty while targeting iconic American muscle cars such as the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro to boost manufacturer involvement and fan interest.[3][9]

Early Development and Key Eras

Following the inaugural 1966 season, the Trans-Am Series quickly gained prominence through the dominance of driver Mark Donohue from 1967 to 1972, during which he secured 29 career victories and three championships in 1968, 1969, and 1971. Driving a Penske-prepared Chevrolet Camaro for the first two titles, Donohue won 10 races in 1968 and six in 1969, establishing Chevrolet's early manufacturer supremacy amid intense competition from Ford Mustangs and other American muscle cars.[1] In 1971, he switched to an AMC Javelin, clinching the championship with seven wins and helping American Motors Corporation achieve an upset victory against established Detroit rivals, which highlighted the series' appeal to underdog manufacturers.[10] This era solidified Trans-Am as a showcase for high-performance production sedans, drawing large crowds and elevating road racing's popularity in the United States.[1] A significant rule change in 1973 shifted the series toward FIA Group 4 silhouette regulations, allowing wider-bodied, aerodynamically enhanced versions of production cars that emphasized racing technology over stock components. This transition marked the decline of traditional muscle cars and ushered in European dominance, particularly by Porsche with its 911 Carrera models.[1] Drivers Peter Gregg and Al Holbert finished first and second in the 1973 standings aboard Porsches, securing the manufacturers' title and setting the stage for Porsche's continued success through the late 1970s, including multiple wins at key events like Road America and Riverside.[1] The silhouette format increased speeds and spectacle, attracting international entries while challenging American teams to adapt to more sophisticated designs.[11] In 1975, the series underwent further restructuring by aligning with SCCA Club Racing's fastest production car classes, broadening eligibility to include a mix of modified sedans and GT vehicles to sustain participation amid rising costs.[1] This was followed in 1976 by the introduction of a two-class system: Category I for prototype-like high-performance entries derived from production platforms, such as heavily modified Jaguars and Corvettes, and Category II for more stock-based production cars, which aimed to balance competition between professional and semi-professional teams.[1] Bob Tullius won the Category I title in 1978 driving a Group 44 Jaguar XJS, while Greg Pickett took Category II that year in a Chevrolet Corvette, demonstrating the format's ability to foster diverse rivalries.[1] However, escalating expenses led to the elimination of Category II in 1979, refocusing the series on elite machinery.[1] The 1980 season heralded the "modern era" with the allowance of tube-frame chassis under fiberglass silhouette bodies, departing from strict production-based rules to boost speeds and professional appeal.[1] This change, combined with a weight-to-displacement handicap formula favoring 5.0-liter engines at around 2,600 pounds, enabled quicker lap times and drew top teams like those fielding Chevrolet Camaros after a long hiatus.[12] The innovation transformed Trans-Am into a more technologically advanced series, setting the foundation for its evolution while maintaining its core emphasis on American road courses.[1]

Modern Evolution and Milestones

In the late 1990s, the Trans-Am Series achieved a notable milestone with Tommy Kendall's dominant 1997 season, where he secured 11 consecutive victories driving the No. 11 All Sport Body Quencher Ford Mustang Cobra for Jack Roush Racing, setting a record for the most wins in a row that underscored the series' competitive intensity during that era.[13][14] To modernize the competition and attract broader manufacturer participation, the series implemented significant rule changes in 2000, permitting multi-valve configurations (four valves per cylinder) on 275-cubic-inch V-8 engines and allowing fuel injection exclusively on 311-cubic-inch V-8 engines, alongside standardized rear wings.[1][15] These updates shifted the focus toward technological advancement while maintaining the silhouette racing ethos, helping to revitalize interest in the early 2000s. A pivotal development came in 2011 with the introduction of the TA2 class, designed for spec-built muscle cars using tube-frame chassis with electronic fuel injection and engines like the Chevrolet LS3, emphasizing cost control and parity among American marques such as the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, and Dodge Challenger.[16][17] By 2025, the class had expanded, often drawing 30-40 entries per race across national and regional events, reflecting its appeal as an accessible entry point for drivers and its role in sustaining the series' growth.[18][19] In 2024, the series announced the creation of the Trans-Am Hall of Fame to celebrate its history, with the inaugural class inducted in February 2025.[20] The 2010s also marked historic achievements in driver diversity and dominance, including Amy Ruman's 2015 TA class championship win in a Ford Mustang, making her the first woman to claim a professional Trans-Am title with eight victories that season.[21][22] This was followed by Ernie Francis Jr.'s remarkable streak, capturing three consecutive TA class championships from 2017 to 2019 driving a Chevrolet Corvette for McNichols Company/American Heritage, with multiple wins each year that highlighted his prowess in the premier division.[23][24] As of 2025, the Trans-Am Series is owned by Velocity Capital Management, which acquired Parella Motorsports Holdings in 2023; this has fostered key partnerships such as with the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) to integrate events into the SpeedTour platform, culminating in the national championship finale at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) SpeedTour.[25][26][27][28]

Current Series Format

Race Structure and Regulations

The modern Trans-Am Series employs a sprint-style race format, with all events fixed at 100 miles in length and no mandatory pit stops required for fueling, tire changes, or driver swaps. This structure prioritizes raw driver skill, close-wheel-to-wheel racing, and mechanical reliability over complex pit strategy, allowing competitors to focus on consistent lap times and on-track battles from green flag to checkered. Races are held on road courses across North America, typically accommodating the full field of multi-class entries under a single start procedure.[25] A standard event weekend is tightly scheduled to maximize track time while minimizing downtime, usually spanning Friday through Sunday. It begins with two optional test sessions, each lasting 35 to 40 minutes, followed by one or two 30-minute practice sessions to fine-tune setups. Qualifying consists of a single 60-minute session divided into three split groups—typically one for the TA class, one for production-based classes like TA2 and XGT, and one for GT/SGT—to determine the starting grid based on fastest laps. The weekend culminates in two races, each designed to fit within a 90-minute window that includes pre-race parades, national anthems, and post-race celebrations, ensuring efficient execution at shared SpeedTour events. All Pirelli tires must be used throughout, with compounds selected to suit the sprint nature of the races.[25] Championship points are awarded based on finishing position within each class, with the class winner earning 30 points, second place 27 points, and third place 25 points, scaling downward to the top finishers in the class to encourage deep-field competition. Additional bonus points are granted for strong qualifying performances—such as five points for pole position and lesser amounts for top-five grid spots—as well as for leading laps, including an extra point for the most laps led, to reward speed and race control. This system promotes aggressive yet fair driving, as positions are scored based on class results.[29][30] In the flagship TA class, electronic driver aids such as traction control, anti-lock braking systems, and launch control are strictly prohibited to maintain the series' emphasis on analog racing fundamentals. Regulations instead highlight mechanical grip through suspension tuning and tire management, alongside power-to-weight ratios that ensure parity among high-horsepower silhouettes without relying on driver assistance technology. Technical inspections enforce these rules rigorously before and after sessions, with the Trans Am Race Company overseeing compliance to uphold competitive integrity.[25]

Car Classifications and Specifications

The Trans-Am Series in 2025 features six distinct vehicle classifications: TA, TA Cup, TA2, XGT, SGT, and GT, designed to accommodate a range of racing philosophies, from high-power silhouette racers to production-based GT cars, ensuring broad participation while maintaining competitive balance through technical regulations. These classes emphasize durability, cost control, and performance parity, with vehicles competing in races typically spanning 100 miles.[31] TA Class cars represent the flagship category, utilizing tube-frame silhouette designs that mimic iconic American muscle cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette C7, Ford Mustang (sixth generation), and Chevrolet Camaro (sixth generation). These vehicles feature composite bodies made from carbon fiber, Kevlar, and fiberglass, with a fixed 102-inch wheelbase and maximum 80-inch width to accommodate wide slicks, and they draw on over 55 years of series development for refined handling. Power comes from a naturally aspirated, carbureted 366 cubic-inch V8 engine producing 850 horsepower, capable of exceeding 1,000 miles before requiring a rebuild, paired with a coil-over suspension and live rear axle. The design philosophy prioritizes raw, unadulterated power without aerodynamic aids like ground effects—though front and rear spoilers are permitted—resulting in acceleration from 0-60 mph in under 3.10 seconds and top speeds over 190 mph.[32] TA Cup Class, introduced in 2025, utilizes high-performance spec tube-frame vehicles with silhouette bodies produced by Chris Evans Inc., featuring previous-generation NASCAR engines producing 600 rear-wheel horsepower at 2,900 lbs weight on 18-inch Pirelli P Zero slicks. Previously competing in XGT since 2023, TA Cup cars race alongside TA and GT classes until field sizes warrant separation, emphasizing spec racing for parity and development.[33] TA2 Class operates as a spec series for modified production muscle cars, including the Ford Mustang (fifth and sixth generations), Chevrolet Camaro (fifth and sixth generations), and Dodge Challenger, built on cost-effective platforms from approved chassis manufacturers like Howe Racing Enterprises and Five Star RaceCar Bodies. To ensure parity, all entrants use spec V8 engines from approved suppliers such as Katech (GM LS3), Koury Race Engines (Ford and Dodge Hemi), restricted to 530 horsepower via fuel injection, promoting engine longevity for an entire season without titanium or carbon fiber components except for the driver's seat. The philosophy focuses on equalized performance through standardized parts like the Derhaag Motorsports single-plane rear wing, allowing teams to emphasize driver skill in sprint-style racing while keeping costs low; fifth-generation models carry a weight penalty for balance.[34] XGT Class accommodates formerly homologated professional-level GT vehicles with advanced aerodynamics and electronic driver aids, such as the Audi R8, providing a platform for high-end machinery that has competed in series like FIA GT3. Eligibility requires prior pro-series homologation, with custom balance-of-performance packages permitted to equalize competition across diverse models, including adjustable restrictors and weight adjustments. The design emphasizes sophisticated engineering from global manufacturers, blending cutting-edge aero kits and traction control systems to challenge top drivers in a class that bridges prototype-like capabilities with GT accessibility.[35] SGT Class targets production-based high-performance GT cars, exemplified by the Porsche 991 GT3 Cup and Dodge Viper, with eligibility extending to equivalents from SCCA GT2-ST, FIA GT4, NASA, PCA, and BMW CCA classes. Liberal modifications are allowed, including removal of weight or restrictors for GT4-homologated vehicles, to foster broad participation and team innovation while incorporating moderate aerodynamic configurations and electronic aids like stability control. The philosophy balances American powertrains against European precision, enabling track-specific strengths to shine without overly restrictive rules, thus supporting a global field of manufacturers in competitive equality.[36] GT Class serves as the entry-level category for limited-preparation production vehicles, such as the Ford Mustang GT (2018+), Chevrolet Camaro SS/ZL1 (2016+), and Dodge Challenger (2008+), aligned closely with SCCA Club T1 rules and compatible with NASA ST, PCA, and FIA GT4 specifications. These cars require only moderate modifications, like upgraded brakes and suspension, to transition affordably from club racing to professional events, emphasizing mechanical parity and driver talent over extensive reengineering. The design promotes accessibility with minimal changes needed for eligibility, allowing a diverse lineup including exotics like the [Aston Martin Vantage](/page/Aston Martin Vantage) V8 and BMW E92 M3, while keeping operational costs low for newcomers.[37] The Pro/Am Challenge facilitates crossover participation from SCCA and other amateur series, utilizing road-racing trim vehicles from classes like GT1, GT2, GTX, T1, T2, T3, and STO, integrated into the six main Trans-Am classes with minor adjustments such as weight additions or restrictors for balance. Powered by Sunoco fuel and fitted with Pirelli tires, these entries benefit from reduced entry fees and count toward SCCA Runoffs prerequisites, embodying a philosophy of seamless progression from club to pro racing without major vehicle overhauls. In 2025, this includes the new GT1 Challenge sub-format for five select events, specifically targeting SCCA GT1 cars for easy pro-level entry.[38][39]

Schedules and Event Venues

The Trans-Am Series' 2025 National Championship features a 12-event calendar spanning the United States and Canada, commencing at Sebring International Raceway in Florida from February 20-23 and concluding at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, from October 30-November 2.[40] This national tour emphasizes a diverse array of road courses, providing competitors with varied challenges from high-speed straights to technical corners, while logistical aspects include multi-day formats that incorporate practice, qualifying, and doubleheader races to optimize track time and spectator access.[40] Key venues in the national schedule include iconic tracks such as Road Atlanta in Georgia (March 20-23), Sonoma Raceway in California (April 24-27), WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in California (May 2-4), Lime Rock Park in Connecticut (May 23-26), Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Ohio (June 19-22), Road America in Wisconsin (June 26-29), Watkins Glen International in New York (July 11-13), Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Ontario (August 28-31), VIRginia International Raceway in Virginia (September 18-21), and Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama (October 17-19).[40] A highlight of the season is the event at VIRginia International Raceway, which coincides with the track's 25th Anniversary Reborn celebration, marking 25 years since its reopening in 2000 after a prior closure in 1974.[41] Many national events are integrated into SVRA SpeedTour weekends, allowing for larger fields through shared logistics and attracting a broader range of historic and modern racing vehicles.[40] The Western Championship runs a more regionally focused schedule with six races, concentrating on West Coast and Southwest venues to reduce travel demands for teams based in those areas.[42] It begins at Sonoma Raceway (April 24-27), followed by WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (May 2-4), Portland International Raceway in Oregon (July 25-27), Thunderhill Raceway Park in California (October 10-12), and concludes alongside the national finale at Circuit of The Americas (October 30-November 2), with an additional early-season event at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in California (March 14-16).[42] This structure supports concentrated competition on demanding road courses like Laguna Seca's Corkscrew turn, enhancing regional accessibility while aligning select rounds with the national series for combined event efficiencies.[42] The popularity of the TA2 class has contributed to increased entry numbers across both championships, drawing more competitors to these venues and enriching the on-track action.[40] Overall, the 2025 calendars prioritize logistical smoothness through established circuits, with events designed to balance competitive racing, fan engagement, and operational feasibility across North America.[40]

Sponsorship, Suppliers, and Organization

The Trans-Am Series is sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing and owned by Parella Motorsports Holdings, which took a controlling interest in the series in 2017 and has overseen its operation as a professional road racing entity since then.[25][3] Under this structure, the series maintains close ties to its origins within the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), evolving from club-level competitions into a premier national championship with standardized regulations and broadcast coverage.[43] Pirelli serves as the presenting sponsor and exclusive tire supplier for the Trans-Am Series, a partnership that began in 2017 and provides control tires across all classes to ensure competitive parity and safety.[44] This arrangement, renewed multiple times, supports the series' emphasis on high-performance rubber suited for diverse track conditions in races typically spanning 100 miles.[45] Additional commercial partners bolster the series' operations, including Mission Foods as the title sponsor for the season finale at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in 2025, enhancing visibility through integrated event branding.[26] Technical collaborations extend to engine suppliers, with Ford Racing providing support for TA2 class vehicles, many of which feature Ford Mustang chassis and powertrains tuned for spec racing.[34] The series has experienced significant organizational growth, transitioning from its SCCA club racing foundations in 1966 to a professional outfit attracting robust participation, with entry lists often exceeding 50 cars per event by 2025 across its six classes. This expansion reflects increased professionalization, including dedicated team support and partnerships that sustain over 500 total race entries annually nationwide.[27]

Championships and Competition

Driver and Team Championships

The Trans-Am Series awards driver championships separately within each class, such as TA and TA2, based on points accumulated by individual drivers over the national schedule of races.[25] Points are awarded based on finishing position, with a maximum of 110 points available for first place including bonuses for pole position, leading at least one lap, and leading the most laps, decreasing incrementally for lower positions.[46] The driver with the highest total points at season's end is crowned the class champion, emphasizing consistent performance across the series' events.[47] Team championships recognize organizational strength by aggregating points from all entries and drivers under a single team banner within each class.[46] This system rewards teams that field multiple cars, as the combined points total determines the title, fostering depth in driver lineups and strategic resource allocation.[48] Ties in final standings are resolved by the driver or team with the most race wins, ensuring a decisive outcome based on on-track success.[49] The series features a Pro/Am subclass for amateur drivers within the GT and SGT classes, allowing eligible participants—typically those with limited professional experience—to compete under the same points structure while pursuing separate recognition.[38] This subclass integrates with the overall GT and SGT championships, providing a pathway for newcomers through reduced entry fees and crossover opportunities with SCCA events, without altering the core professional competition.[38]

Manufacturer and Class Championships

The Trans-Am Series has awarded Manufacturer Championships annually since its inception in 1966, recognizing the top-performing automobile brands based on points accumulated by their factory-supported or eligible entries across various classes. Points are derived from the finishing positions of the top six vehicles per manufacturer in each race, with a scoring scale of 9 points for first place, 6 for second, 4 for third, 3 for fourth, 2 for fifth, and 1 for sixth, ensuring that competitive dynamics among brands like Ford, Chevrolet, and Porsche drive innovation and rivalry. This system, outlined in the series' technical and sporting regulations, ties directly to the overall driver points structure but aggregates results at the make level to highlight brand supremacy without favoring individual teams.[50][1] Class-specific awards complement the overall Manufacturer Championship by honoring the leading brand in each category, such as TA and TA Cup for high-performance prototypes and spec tube-frame cars, XGT for grand tourers, SGT for street-based GT cars, GT for entry-level production vehicles, and TA2 for spec-series muscle cars, with trophies presented based on cumulative season-long finishes.[51] Historically, these awards have showcased intense brand battles; for instance, Ford secured titles in 1966, 1967, and 1970 through Mustang dominance, while Porsche claimed victories in 1973 and 1974 with Carrera models, and Jaguar swept three consecutive wins from 2003 to 2005 via XKR entries. In TA, Chevrolet has frequently prevailed with Camaro platforms, as seen in the 1983 reclamation of the title with 10 race wins, underscoring the series' role in elevating American and European marques alike.[1][25] To maintain parity, the Trans-Am Series employs Balance of Performance (BoP) adjustments tailored to each class, regulating factors like weight, aerodynamics, and power output to equalize opportunities among diverse makes, including Porsche 911 variants, Audi R8s, and Ford Mustang models in SGT and GT. These measures, aligned with SCCA guidelines for production-based vehicles, prevent any single manufacturer from gaining an unfair edge and promote close racing, as evidenced by ongoing tweaks to ensure models like the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger compete on equal footing in TA2. For 2025, the TA2 class introduces a standardized Chevrolet CT525 crate engine, a 533-horsepower LS-based unit, which levels the playing field for Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro, and Ford Mustang entrants by providing identical, reliable powertrains at reduced cost, further emphasizing spec-series equity.[36][52]

Regional Championships and Variations

The Trans-Am Series features several regional championships and variations designed to accommodate competitors focused on geographic segments of the schedule, contrasting with the full national tour by offering shorter, regionally concentrated racing opportunities. The Western Championship, a longstanding regional format, awards standalone points based on a dedicated West Coast schedule, typically comprising 5 to 6 events at venues such as Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Sonoma Raceway, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Portland International Raceway, and Thunderhill Raceway Park, with the season finale often held as a combination event at Circuit of the Americas.[53] This structure allows West Coast-based teams to compete without committing to the cross-country national calendar, emphasizing local accessibility while maintaining the series' core classes of TA, XGT, SGT, GT, and a prominent TA2 division. In 2025, the Western Championship showcased TA2-heavy fields, particularly in combination events like Sonoma, where large grids of TA2 muscle cars enhanced the regional competition's intensity and drew significant participation from pro/am drivers.[54] Complementing the Western format, the Northern and Southern Cups serve as supplemental regional series primarily for select classes such as SGT and GT, utilizing subsets of the national venues to create geographically divided sub-championships. Introduced in 2018, these cups enable partial-season participants—ineligible for full national honors—to earn regional titles through targeted events; the Southern Cup covers southern U.S. tracks from the national schedule (typically five events), while the Northern Cup includes northern circuits (typically seven events), with specific venues varying by year.[55] These variations feature shorter schedules and local modifiers, such as adjusted entry requirements for regional teams, fostering broader involvement from SCCA and club-level drivers transitioning to professional racing without the demands of a complete national campaign.[56] Integration between regional and national formats occurs in dual-sanctioned events, where points earned can contribute to both Western Championship standings and the broader national tally for eligible classes, ensuring seamless progression for competitors aiming to scale up their efforts. This hybrid approach, evident in 2025 shared races at Sonoma and Circuit of the Americas, balances regional autonomy with national connectivity, promoting sustained growth in regional participation while upholding the series' professional standards.[40]

Legacy and Related Developments

Notable Records and Achievements

The Trans-Am Series has produced several enduring records in driver victories, with Paul Gentilozzi holding the all-time lead at 31 wins, followed closely by Mark Donohue with 29 victories while competing for Roger Penske Racing.[57] Donohue's tally includes dominant performances in the series' early years, contributing to his three driver championships in 1968, 1969, and 1971.[1] The record for consecutive wins stands at 11, set by Tommy Kendall during his undefeated streak in the 1997 season, which also secured his fourth overall title.[58] Multiple drivers have achieved championship dominance, exemplified by Ernie Francis Jr.'s three consecutive TA class titles from 2017 to 2019, part of his record seven championships across various classes and the youngest series champion at age 16 in 2014.[23][59] Team Penske amassed three Trans-Am championships in the late 1960s, leveraging innovative engineering and driver Mark Donohue to secure manufacturer and driver successes, including back-to-back titles in 1968 and 1969.[60] Key milestones include Amy Ruman becoming the first woman to win a Trans-Am championship in 2015, capturing the TA class title with eight victories that season in her No. 23 Audi.[21] The TA2 class reached new participation heights in 2025, with fields exceeding 50 cars at select events.[26] The 2025 season concluded at the Circuit of the Americas finale on November 2, where Matthew Brabham claimed victory from last on the grid, and Paul Menard secured his second consecutive TA championship; meanwhile, Team SLR extended its streak to seven straight wins in TA2, where 15-year-old Tristan McKee, who had clinched the TA2 title earlier at Barber Motorsports Park with four victories that season, finished second.[61][62][63][64]

Series Influenced by Trans-Am Format

The TA2 Series emerged as a spec racing class within the Trans-Am framework in 2010, utilizing purpose-built, tube-frame chassis with silhouette bodies of American muscle cars like the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, and Dodge Challenger to promote close competition and cost control. By 2012, it had gained prominence as a distinct entity, with engines sealed by approved builders to ensure parity, drawing directly from the Trans-Am's legacy of production-derived GT racing while establishing independent national and regional schedules that emphasize sprint formats without mandatory pit stops. This evolution has expanded the TA2's reach, including international partnerships, such as with Australian series, while retaining the core Trans-Am emphasis on high-performance V8 powertrains limited to around 475-525 horsepower.[34] The SVRA Trans-Am Challenge revives the spirit of the original 1966-1970s Trans-Am era through vintage racing events featuring historic cars that competed in the series, such as under-2.5-liter sedans and pony cars prepared to period specifications. Organized by the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), these events adhere to sprint race formats similar to the Trans-Am's traditional 100-mile distances, providing ample track time across national circuits while preserving authenticity with rules derived from SCCA and early Trans-Am guidelines for classes like B-Sedan. The challenge fosters competitive grids of restored vehicles, including Mustangs and Camaros, and integrates into SVRA's broader SpeedTour calendar for multi-class weekends that highlight American road racing heritage.[65] Internationally, the Trans-Am format influenced the Australian Trans Am series during the 1970s, where organizers adapted the U.S. model's production-based GT rules for local circuits, featuring modified V8 sedans and coupes like Holdens and Ford Falcons in national championships that echoed the pony car rivalries of the golden era. This adaptation persisted into modern iterations, such as the current Australian Trans Am and TA2 Muscle Car Series, which employ spec chassis and engines sourced from Trans-Am suppliers to maintain sprint-style racing on tracks like Sydney Motorsport Park. The format's emphasis on close, door-to-door battles with minimal modifications has also shaped contemporary GT sprint races globally, including elements in SRO-affiliated events where silhouette-bodied prototypes compete in short, high-intensity formats prioritizing driver skill over outright power.[66] In 2025, the Trans-Am Series expanded crossovers through shared event weekends under the SpeedTour banner, integrating with support classes that adopt tube-frame specifications akin to Trans-Am's TA and XGT categories, such as the new TA Cup class featuring spec silhouette cars eligible for both national and western championships. These collaborations, including doubleheaders at venues like Circuit of The Americas, allow IMSA-adjacent programs to leverage Trans-Am's infrastructure for sprint races, enhancing grid sizes and visibility while upholding rules for sealed engines and balanced aerodynamics derived from the series' longstanding GT protocols.[33]

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  2. About - Trans Am - America's Road Racing Series
  3. Trans Am and SCCA Pro Racing: 50 Years and Counting
  4. On This Day in Trans Am History: March 25, 1966
  5. https://burnsstainless.com/blogs/articles-1/trans-am-racing-history
  6. Learn about Trans Am racing history with Jay Leno - Motor Authority
  7. SCCA Trans Am: The Automotive Civil War | DrivingLine
  8. Trans-Am – The Stock Car Racing America Deserves - Hot Rod
  9. Mustang in the SCCA Trans-Am Series 1966-1972 - MotorTrend
  10. Trans Am Hall of Fame: Mark Donohue
  11. The Trans Am Champions Who Never Were - AutoRacing1.com
  12. https://www.grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/what-trans-am-today/
  13. On this Day in Trans Am History: Sept. 27, 1997
  14. Ford's Winning Trans Am Record at Lime Rock Park
  15. A New Look For The Trans-Am Series In 2000 - Motorsport.com
  16. Trans Am Kicks Off 2012 At Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
  17. 2012 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park - Trans-Am
  18. Trans Am's TA2® Class Hits Milestone - SCCA Pro Racing
  19. [PDF] 2025 entry list - Trans Am Racing
  20. History Made: Amy Ruman Crowned 2015 Trans Am Champion ...
  21. With Daytona win, Amy Ruman is first female Trans Am Champion
  22. Ernie Francis, Jr., wins New Jersey, captures 2017 Trans Am ...
  23. Ernie Francis Jr. Winningest Trans Am Driver at Mid-Ohio Sports ...
  24. Trans Am - America's Road Racing Series
  25. Trans Am Series Event Preview: Circuit of The Americas 2025
  26. 2025 COTA Trans Am Preview | SpeedTour
  27. Trans Am Unveils New TA2 Pro/Am Point System and Pick Six ...
  28. Dyson, McKee take poles for TA and TA2 at Barber - RACER
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  30. TA Class - Trans Am - America's Road Racing Series
  31. CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series - Trans Am Series
  32. XGT Class - Trans Am - America's Road Racing Series
  33. SGT Class - Trans Am - America's Road Racing Series
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  43. None
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