Francis, Jr., Robinson pace field in final practice on Belle Isle

June 2, 2017

Trans Am field set for upcoming 3-Dimensional Services Motor City 100 qualifying 

DETROIT, Mich. [June 2, 2017] – Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli teams and drivers alike made their final preparations for this afternoon’s qualifying sessions for the 3-Dimensional Services Motor City 100 as the Series took to the course for Practice 2 at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear.   

Leading the way was Ernie Francis, Jr., in the No. 98 Breathless Pro Racing/Beta Tools Ford Mustang, turning a 1:34.698 lap around the 2.35-mile, 13-turn Belle Isle course.  The lap was the fastest of any competitor so far this weekend, as the surface continues to develop grip from the four series taking to it throughout the event.  Francis enters Detroit on high, riding the momentum of two consecutive wins at Homestead-Miami Speedway and last round at Road Atlanta.  

Francis was followed in the session by Tomy Drissi, in the No. 8 War for the Planet of the Apes Chevrolet Corvette, who turned a 1:35.177, also his fastest of the weekend.  Simon Gregg, in the No. 59 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, was third quick with a time of 1:36.240.  

The TA class top five was completed by Vinnie Allegretta, in the No. 41 TA Sights & Sounds Chevrolet Corvette, and Claudio Burtin, in the No. 7 GoShare/Chevrolet Corvette, logging times of 1:37.341 and 1:37.514.  

The TA2 class was led by Gar Robinson, in the No. 74 Pura Vida Tequila/ 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro, turning a 1:36.240 lap, the fastest of any TA2 competitor so far and easily eclipses his own race record time of 1:37.541 from last year’s exhibition on Belle Isle.  Robinson enters the weekend with a TA2 class victory already under his belt, coming his way at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Round 2 of the 2017 Trans Am Championship.   

Following Robinson in the session was Rafa Matos, in the No. 87 3-Dimesional Services Chevrolet Camaro, continuing his fast start in the TA2 class in this, his first career Trans Am appearance.  Matos turned a 1:36.890, picking up over a second on his time from the previous practice session, a 1:38.032.   

2016 race winner Kyle Marcelli, in the No. 96 AARDA Inc/ FerPal Infrastructure Chevrolet Camaro, was third quick in the TA2 class, logging a 1:36.890 lap of his own.  The TA2 top five was completed by Cameron Lawrence, in the No. 19 Class Auto Centers Chevrolet Camaro, and Tony Buffomante, in the No. 36 Bestline Superior Lubricants Ford Mustang, with times of 1:37.627 and 1:37.754, respectively.  

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli will return to the track in short order for qualifying sessions with the TA class taking to the track at 2:45 PM ET and TA2 at 3:00 PM to determine the starting order for the 3-Dimensional Services Group Motor City 100 and Muscle Car Challenge.  

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli joins the Verizon IndyCar Series, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks for one of the great weekends in motorsport, the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear.  

Fans can keep up with the event and all of The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli at www.gotransam.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam and on Twitter at @gotransam.  

Tickets: 

Tickets are now on sale for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, starting at just $45 as of Tuesday, May 30.  To view information on ticket plans and to purchase tickets, please visit www.DetroitGP.com.  Tickets may also be purchased by calling 866-464-PRIX (7749).

Round 4 of the 2017 Trans Am Championship Schedule: 

Friday, June, 2, 2017 
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM         TA Qualifying
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM         TA2 Qualifying

Saturday, June 3, 2017     
8:45 AM – 9:45 AM         3-Dimensional Services Motor City 100 – TA 

Sunday, June 4, 2017 
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM         Trans Am drivers’ Autograph Session – Picnic Shelter 3
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM         3-Dimensional Services Muscle Car Challenge – TA2

Session Coverage: 

Live Timing: All on-track sessions can be followed at www.gotransam.com and on the Race Monitor app available on Windows, Android, iOS and OSX.  

Text Commentary: Updates provided throughout sessions on Twitter at @gotransam.

Broadcast: This weekend's event will be broadcast, tape delayed, on CBS Sports Network. 

3-Dimensional Services Motor City 100 (TA)- Jun 24, 12:00pm ET – featuring TA

3-Dimensional Services Muscle Car Challenge (TA2) - Jul 01, 12:00pm ET