Paul Fix leads the way as Trans Am opens Pitt Weekend with Practice
August 4, 2018
Cindi Lux and Warren Dexter top TA3 and TA4 classes
WAMPUM, Pa. [August 4, 2018] – The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli held its first ever official sessions at Pittsburgh International Race Complex today with Paul Fix, Cindi Lux and Warren Dexter setting fast laps for their respective classes.
For many members of the Trans Am field, the Keystone Speedfest marks their first visit to Pitt Race and the 2.78-mile, 19-turn circuit they will be tackling throughout the weekend.
Paul Fix, in the No. 4 StopFlex/ CarCoach/ Ave Racing Ford Mustang, would lead the way, turning his best times in the final throws of the TA class’ session, culminating in a fast lap of 1:38.579. A similar performance from Fix in this afternoon’s qualifying session would mark the second-consecutive pole for the Trans Am veteran who joins the Series with an eye on the Northern Cup.
Second quick was the No. 2 Pennzoil/ ETE Reman/ GoShare Chevrolet Camaro of Lawrence Loshak with a 1:38.711, just tenths behind Fix and the No. 4. Chris Dyson, in the No. 20 @PlaidCrafts Ford Mustang, was third quick with a time of 1:39.448, while Jim McAleese, making his first appearance of the year in the No. 03 McAleese & Associates/ Jetco Chevrolet Camaro, and David Pintaric, in the No. 57 Kryderacing Cadillac CTS-V, completed the TA class top five with times of 1:39.967 and 1:40.745, respectively.
One driver looking to find some pace before this afternoon’s qualifying will be current points leader and defending TA champ Ernie Francis, Jr., in the No. 98 Frameless Shower Doors Ford Mustang. Francis was notably absent from yesterday’s unofficial test sessions while racing elsewhere, with today’s practice marking his first time on the Pitt Course, resulting in a 1:44.658 fast lap for 10th quick in class.
In the TA3 and TA4 practice session Cindi Lux, in the No. 45 Lux Performance Dodge Viper, and Warren Dexter, in the No. 61 Joe’s Hand Cleaner Ginetta G55, led the way for their respective classes, with Dexter topping both classes with a 1:45.692 lap in his TA4 machine.
Lux would turn a 1:45.849 lap of her own to lead TA3, beating out Alline Cipriani, in the No. 60 Ginetta US Ginetta G55, who logged a 1:46.347 lap of her own. Third quick in the TA3 class was Brian Kleeman, making his class debut in the No. 07 DWW Motorsports/ Racetech Ford Mustang, to the tune of a 1:48.268 lap.
Kleeman, the 2017 TA4 class champion, and his teammate Chris Outzen, in the No. 09 DWW/itrackzone Ford Mustang, have officially stepped up to the TA3 class with the aim of developing the DWW team’s new FP350s Mustangs over the course of the Trans Am season. Outzen was fourth quick in TA3 with a 1:52.929 while Dave Ricci, in the No. 71 Florida Roadway Signs, completed the TA3 top five with a 1:54.054.
Trans Am will return to the track at Pitt Race later this afternoon for qualifying sessions, commencing at 3:05 PM ET.
Fans can keep up with the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli throughout the event at www.gotransam.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam and on Twitter at @gotransam.
Trans Am’s TA2 class is absent on the weekend, set to rejoin the championship next round at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, August 9-11.
TA3 and TA4 Practice Results (PDF)
Remaining Trans Am Event Schedule:
Saturday August 4, 2018
3:05 PM – 3:25 PM TA3/TA4 Qualifying
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM TA Qualifying
Sunday August 5, 2018
11:15 AM – 12:20 PM TA3/TA4 Race
2:00 PM – 3:05 PM TA Race
Tickets and Information:
Tickets and a full Keystone Speedfest event schedule can be found at www.keystonespeedfest.com
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.
