As TA2 takes the spotlight at Homestead, Mike Cope cars shine

April 14, 2015

MCRE built machines capture four of top six in Homestead TA2 race

(Team Release) Clearwater, Fla. (April 14, 2015) – At the conclusion of the Trans Am Muscle Car Challenge, Round 2 of the 2015 Trans Am Championship, the top of the TA2 field was saturated with Mike Cope Racing Enterprises (MCRE) built cars. The weekend saw the inaugural Trans Am Muscle Car Challenge, an independent TA2 class race, putting the spotlight on road racing’s fastest growing platform and the revitalization of Trans Am’s pony wars— and it was in that spotlight that MCRE built racecars truly shone.

In total, nine drivers entered in the TA2 race’s 28-car field were sporting cars built by MCRE; and throughout the course of the race, multiple drivers showcased the platform. Come the end of the race, four of the top six finishers sported MCRE equipment, with Dillon Machavern finishing second overall in his MCRE built, Riggins Engineering prepared, Ford Mustang, his first ever podium placement in Trans Am. Machavern also claimed the fast lap of the race with a 1:22.961.

Jordan Bupp, in an MCRE built, American Speed Factory prepared, Ford Mustang, finished fourth overall, a career high for the Florida based driver; while Kevin Poitras, in an MCRE built Ford Mustang and a member of the MCRE Arrive and Drive program, finished fifth; and JJ Haley, in a MCRE built Chevrolet Camaro, also a member of the Arrive and Drive program, finished sixth, despite experiencing clutch issues early in the race.

“We’re very proud of the performance of Mike Cope Cars over the first two races of the year,” said Mike Cope, Owner of MCRE. “Our goal is to always provide our customers with the best equipment possible, putting them in the position to finish as high as possible. We are incredibly encouraged by the interest in our product, but even more encouraged by the performances drivers are putting in from behind the wheels of Mike Cope built cars.”

Tony Buffomante and Tony Ave, both in MCRE built Ford Mustangs, also showcased the speed of the platform, with Buffomante qualifying third and running second for much of the race and Ave qualifying sixth and running as high as fourth.

Five drivers participated in the MCRE Arrive and Drive program at Homestead Miami, the most ever in the history of the MCRE TA2 program.

“I think more and more drivers are seeing the value of our Arrive and Drive program,” said Cope. “Many of our clientele are very busy, running businesses, being with family—they live life to the fullest. They don’t have time to maintain or tune a racecar, so we do that all for them. Our drivers know when they arrive at the track the car will be ready and in great condition, allowing them to compete at the highest level.”

Complete MCRE built car results from Homestead Miami:

 

No	Name	Car	Finish	Best Time	Qualified	Q. Time
24	Dillon Machavern	Ford Mustang	2	01:22.961	7	01:22.713
81	Jordan Bupp	Ford Mustang	4	01:25.117	13	01:24.206
73	Kevin Poitras	Ford Mustang	5	01:23.786	8	01:22.785
99	JJ Haley	Chevrolet Camaro	6	01:25.997	10	01:23.451
52	George Lutich	Ford Mustang	12	01:27.663	26	01:30.708
92	Tony Ave	Ford Mustang	14	01:23.178	6	01:22.582
9	Keith Prociuk	Chevrolet Camaro	15	01:24.915	19	01:25.423
34	Tony Buffomante	Ford Mustang	18	01:23.183	3	01:22.008
1	Nick Hazelwood	Chevrolet Camaro	27	02:23.498	18	01:24.934

 

The MCRE team and all TA2 drivers will now prepare for yet another standalone TA2 race, the Foametix Muscle Car Challenge at Road Atlanta on Saturday, May 9.

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About Mike Cope Racing Enterprises:

Perhaps no other team has worked so diligently to achieve success over the course of 30 years as MCRE. Over the years, they have successfully launched corporate sponsorships in national series, developed short track and SCCA Road race champions and mentored young upcoming drivers. Lead by Mike Cope, he brings the same enthusiasm, dedication and knowledge to his race team that made him victorious in his own racing career.

MCRE offers a variety of services for drivers interested in the Trans Am Series’ TA2 program, including custom builds, arrive and drive programs, maintenance programs, consulting, driver mentoring, set-up and shock dyno. Learn more at www.mikecoperacecars.com.

Mike Cope Racing Enterprises is based in Clearwater, Florida.

Mike Cope Racing Enterprises partners include: Quarter Master, Hawk Performance, Schoenfeld Headers, Wilwood, Port City Racecars, ButlerBuilt, Integra Shocks and Keyser Manufacturing.

MCRE Sponsors:

Bestline Superior Lubricants, www.bestlinelubricants.com

Since its incorporation, BestLine has developed a new line of full synthetic lubricants and lubricant additives that dramatically reduce friction, heat and mechanical wear to an extent never before seen or tested. BestLine refers to its proprietary technology as "Micro Lubrication Technology, (TM)" or "MLT."