Trans Am Racing Returns To Mid Ohio

June 7, 2012 - PRLog -- [Lexington, OH, June 07, 2012] -With Trans Am holding their third race of the year at the EMCO Gears Classic at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this weekend, four drivers are looking to start their Trans Am careers.  Joe Sturm, Chuck Cassaro, John Atwell and Jan Heylen will be joining a nineteen-car field that features seasoned vets such as Tony Ave, Pete Halmser, and Mike Miller.  
   Making their 2012 season debut will be Gregg Rodgers in the number 33 Chevy Camaro and former USAC Spring Car Championship winner Denny Lamers in the number 66 Ford Mustang.  Both Rodgers and Lamers are no stranger to Trans Am, with Rodgers and Lamers making their sixth and tenth starts, respectively.  
   The race will mark the 26th appearance for Trans Am at Mid Ohio, with both divisions, Trans Am 1 and Trans Am 2, taking part.  
   Doug Peterson currently leads the Trans Am 1, points standings at 60, followed closely by Simon Gregg at 56.  Ohio’s own Amy Ruman is currently in third with 45 points.   Meanwhile, two-time defending champion Tony Ave is in fifth at 42.  Ave, has experienced mechanical problems over the previous two races and will be ready to make up ground on his competition in the number 4 Corvette.  
   For the first time at Mid Ohio, the new Trans Am 2, division will be taking place alongside the Trans Am 1 series. Trans Am 2 points leader, and last year’s champion, Bob Stretch will also be taking part in this weekend’s race, as will Pete Halsmer who is only three points behind.  Strech and Halsmer have each taken one of the first two Trans Am 2 wins of the season.  
   Practice will take place between 8 and 8:30 a.m., and again from 1:05 to 1:35 p.m. Friday June 8th, followed by qualifying Saturday beginning at 9:20 a.m.  On Sunday, the day kicks off with an autograph session at the middle paddock from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. with pre-race starting at 1:30 p.m.  
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   For updates follow @gotransam on twitter, check out GoRacingTV.com’s coverage of the event through vignettes throughout the duration of the weekend and keep up on the action at gotransam.com.

About Trans Am:

The SCCA Trans Am Series dates back to 1966.  Throughout the years, some of the greatest names in motorsports have participated in the Trans Am Series. Backdating the Driver’s Championship to the inaugural season, 30 different drivers took titles, with multiple Championships being won by Pual Gentilozzi, Tommy Kendall, Mark Donohue, Scott Pruett, Wally Dallenback Jr, George Follmer, Peter Gregg, Horst Kwech, Scott Sharp and Bob Tullius.  

The iconic Trans Am Series – America’s Road Racing Series – is operated by the Trans Am Race Company, LLC.  Through a five-year agreement, the Trans Am Race Company manages the marketing rights to the series and is responsible for Trans Am Series public relations and promotions.  SCCA Pro Racing sanctions Trans Am events and provides event operations services to the series.