Gar Robinson Tops Initial Trans Am Practice in Detroit
June 1, 2018
3-Dimensional Services Group TA2 Weekend Underway
DETROIT, Mich. [June 1, 2018] – It was 2017 TA2 Champion Gar Robinson who topped the charts in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s opening practice at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear. The session commenced preparations for the 3-Dimensional Services Muscle Car Challenge and Motor City Dash featuring Trans Am’s TA2, powered by AEM, class.
Robinson, in the No. 74 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro, returned to TA2 competition this weekend in one-off capacity with the goal of defending his class victory from 2017 here on Belle Isle. Robinson’s fast lap, a 1:38.728 around the 2.35-mile circuit, marked a quick return to form for the 2017 and 2015 champ and led the 20 car TA2 field.
Just behind Robinson in the session was 2017 title rival Tony Buffomante, in the No. 34 Mike Cope Racing Ford Mustang, who turned a 1:38.986 fast lap of his own. Buffomate, like Robinson, also sported a strong finish on Belle Isle in 2017, coming in third place. Third quick was Michigan's own Marc Miller, in the No. 77 Berryman/ Prefix Ford Mustang, with the Holland, Michigan driver turning a 1:39.522 as Stevens-Miller and Prefix debut their Ford Mustang TA2 platform this weekend.
The TA2 practice top five was completed by Shane Lewis, in the No. 92 Turn Key/ Surphis Chevrolet Camaro, and Ernie Francis, Jr., in the No. 44 ECC/ Anchor Bolt & Screw Chevrolet Camaro, with times of 1:39.876 and 1:40.796, respectively. For Ernie Francis, Jr., the 2017 TA class champion and current points leader, the session marked his debut in the TA2 class as he joins ECC Motorsports, which claimed a TA2 victory in Detroit in 2016 with Adam Andretti.
Other TA2 competitors turning laps within the top ten included Joe Napoleon, Ethan Wilson, Keith Prociuk, Tom Sheehan and Jordan Bupp.
The Trans Am Series will return to action later today with a second practice session scheduled for 12:20 PM ET.
The 20 TA2 competitors will compete in two races during the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, the 60-minute 3-Dimensional Services Muscle Car Challenge on Saturday June 2, 2018, and the 3-Dimensional Services Motor City Dash, 100-miles or 75 minutes whichever comes first, on Sunday June 3, 2018.
Race order for the 3-Dimensional Services Motor City Dash will be determined by fast lap, quickest to slowest, from the 3-Dimensional Services Muscle Car Challenge.
Fans can keep up with Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli action throughout the event at www.gotransam.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam and on Twitter at @gotransam.
Likewise, updates from the entirety of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear can be found at http://detroitgp.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/detroitgp and on Twitter at @DetroitGP.
Trans Am Event Schedule:
Friday June 1, 2018
12:20 PM – 12:50 PM Practice 2
4:35 PM – 5:05 PM Qualifying
Saturday, June 2, 2018
8:45 AM – 9:45 AM 3-Dimensional Services Muscle Car Challenge
Sunday June 3, 2018
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM Trans Am Autograph Session
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM 3-Dimensional Services Motor City Dash
*all times eastern.
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.
Live Streaming on Motor Trend On Demand:
3-Dimensional Services Motor City Dash – June 3, 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM ET
Broadcast:
Trans Am’s races at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear will be broadcast, tape delayed, on CBS Sports Network.
3-Dimensional Services Motor City Recap- June 17, 1:00 PM ET
