Simon Gregg Makes Promising Start to 2020 Trans Am Season

March 2, 2020

 
Sebring, FL - March 2, 2020 - 2020 is off to a fresh start for the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli season and for the TA class race at Sebring International Raceway March 1 it was a typically competitive and eventful affair. Seasoned campaigner Simon Gregg made a highly promising start to the year when qualifying 4th and finishing 5th on the bumpy aerodrome turned racetrack in Central Florida.

The weekend began well for Simon in the No. 59 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette when he posted a very rapid time of 2:04.962 in the very first testing session. First official practice saw him post a time of 2:05:130 before qualifying the car on Saturday afternoon with a terrific 2:03:796 on lap 4 of the session. Talking to our reporter after qualifying in P4 on the second row of the grid, Simon was understandably very positive about the weekend developments at Sebring, “The car’s running pretty well. At the last minute I put in a little more wing and that helped the car drive. I enjoyed qualifying and fourth was good enough to have a chance of finishing near the front."

Of one of his home circuits, Simon added, “Sebring is just about the toughest track because of the bumps and turn 17 is a very difficult turn, it's so fast and full of drama. There’s great history here and I’m looking forward to the race." Referencing Trans Am's upgraded media presence in 2020 he added, "I’m looking forward to seeing the Livecast after the race. I appreciate the team Derhaag Motorsports doing a good job and Joy, my fiance, for being here!"

The race itself saw 2019 Champion Ernie Francis lead from the front all the way to the checkered flag while Chris Dyson was forced to retire, his car having possibly not recovered from a severe collision with the wall in practice. In a restart contest where the pace car made several appearances, Simon duelled with Amy Ruman, Humaid Al Masaood and Jon Leavy before finishing in P5 overall. The interrupted nature of the race possibly didn't suit the smooth driving Simon, but he nevertheless pronounced to be pretty happy with the top five result.

"Based on practice and qualifying I was thinking that I could get a few spots higher of a race result but the competition was really tough this weekend and TA has some great drivers in the field," he added.

Next up for the prestigious TA class competition in this, the 54th year of Trans Am car racing is Road Atlanta, Georgia, about which Simon said, "Road Atlanta is a fast track and we will look to be strong for the next round."

Round 2 at Road Atlanta is scheduled for March 28 and 29 located in Braselton, GA.

Learn more about the 2020 Trans Am Series news and schedule of events by visiting gotransam.com.