Kyle Marcelli and Ernie Francis, Jr., Top Final Practice Sessions
April 14, 2018
Randy Kinsland Leads TA3, Qualifying Commences This Afternoon
HOMESTEAD, Fla. [April 14, 2018] – In final preparations for this afternoon’s qualifying sessions for South Florida Sportscar Challenge races at Homestead-Miami Speedway (HMS), the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli held a second practice session on the 2.27-mile modified road course with select teams electing to participate under the direct heat of the mid-day Florida sun.
In the TA class Ernie Francis, Jr., once again topped the charts from behind the wheel of the No. 98 Frameless Shower Doors Ford Mustang. The defending TA class champ and 2017 HMS race winner would turn a 1:17.047, once again showing he will be the man to beat come this afternoon’s qualifying session.
Road Atlanta victor Chris Dyson, in the No. 20 Plaid/ CD Racing Ford Mustang, showed improved speed in comparison to his first practice session, turning a 1:17.358 fast lap. Dyson’s time in Practice 1 was a 1:17.957; he stands the only TA class competitor to log an improved fast lap in the second session.
Just behind Dyson on the practice charts was the No. 2 Pennzoil/ETE/ GoShare Chevrolet Camaro of Lawrence Loshak with a 1:17.388, while Amy Ruman, in the No. 23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Corvette, and Daniel Urrutia, Jr., in the No. 33 Ferrea Racing Components Chevrolet Corvette, completed the TA class top five with times of 1:17.428 and 1:18.133, respectively.
In TA2, Kyle Marcelli, in the No. 96 M1 Fastrack Road Racing Chevrolet Camaro, topped the charts with a 1:20.705 lap. The event marks Marcelli’s first appearance in TA2 this season and his tenth career appearance; as he, despite a 2016 exhibition win in Detroit, chases his first official TA2 win.
Following Marcelli was Jan Heylen, making his TA2 debut in the No. 87 3-Dimensional Services Chevrolet Camaro, with a 1:20.826 lap. Despite the event marking Heylen’s first appearance in a TA2 car, he has turned laps within the top five of the 21-car field in both practice sessions.
Third quick in TA2 was Keith Prociuk, in the No. 9 HP Tuners Chevrolet Corvette, with a time of 1:20.846, while Louis-Philippe Montour, in the No. 13 Montour Ltd Chevrolet Camaro, and Henri Tuomaala, in the No. 11 Puuilo/ Prefix Dodge Challenger, completed the tight TA2 top five with times of 1:20.849 and 1:20.940, respectively.
Also featuring in the TA2 top ten, in order, were: Scott Lagasse, Jr., Tony Buffomante, Jordan Bupp, Shane Lewis and Marc Miller.
Only two members of the TA3 class elected to participate in the practice session with Randy Kinsland, in the No. 11 RF Engines Chevrolet Corvette, edging Shane Lewis, in the No. 28 MGM Porsche 997, 1:23.357 to 1:24.626. Steven Davison, the lone participant from TA4 would turn a 1:26.552 lap from behind the wheel of the No. 22 DaVinci Plastic Surgery Aston Martin Vantage.
The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli will return to the track at Homestead-Miami for qualifying sessions, commencing at 2:40 PM ET.
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
TA, TA3, TA4 Practice 2 Results (PDF)
Remaining Event Schedule
Saturday April 14, 2018
2:40 PM — 3:00 PM TA Qualifying
3:15 PM — 3:35 PM TA3/TA4 Qualifying
3:50 PM — 4:10 PM TA2 Qualifying
Sunday April 15, 2018
9:20 AM — 10:35 AM South Florida Sportscar Challenge, TA/TA3/TA4
2:20 PM — 3:15 PM TA2 Muscle Car Challenge powered by AEM
All times EDT
Circuit:
2.27-miles, 10-turns – Modified Road Course at Homestead-Miami
Race Lengths:
102.15-miles/ 45 laps or 75 minutes whichever comes first.
