Francis Tops TA Class Practice at COTA
November 3, 2018
Daskalos and Lux lead TA3, Warren Dexter Fast in TA4
AUSTIN, Texas [November 3, 2018] — Defending TA class champion Ernie Francis, Jr., set the fast lap in today’s practice session at Circuit of The Americas as the TA, TA3 and TA4 classes officially commenced their weekend and preparations for tomorrow’s multi-class COTA Trans Am 100.
Francis, in the No. 98 Frameless Shower Doors Ford Mustang, would turn a 2:09.672 around the 20 turn, 3.427-mile circuit to the lead the session, however, championship challenger Lawrence Loshak, in the No. 2 Pennzoil/ ETE/ GoShare Chevrolet Camaro, was just behind with a 2:09.15. Francis, the current points leader, and Loshak will enter this afternoon’s qualifying session with only five points separating the two, making every result, including pole, invaluable with only two races remaining.
Chris Dyson, still championship eligible as well in the No. 20 PlaidEnterprises/ CD Racing Ford Mustang, was third quick in class with a time of 2:09.951, while Paul Fix, in the No. 4 StopFlex/ Ave Racing Ford Mustang, and Tomy Drissi, in the No. 8 The Grinch Chevrolet Camaro, completed the TA class top five with times of 2:10.732 and 2:11.037, respectively.
In the TA3 class Jason Daskalos, in the No. 27 Vintage Four Twenty-Three Dodge Viper, would edge Cindi Lux, in the No. 45 Lux Performance Dodge Viper, with a time of 2:18.794 to 2:18.833, potentially foreshadowing another race long battle for the TA3 lead like the duo of Viper drivers put on at Road America earlier this year.
Trans Am debutant Ryan Dexter, in the No. 62 Joe’s Hand Cleaner/ Dexter Racing Ginetta G55, was third quick with a time of 2:18.836, just three-thousandths behind Lux’s time. Dirk Luenberger, in the No. 35 Lux Performance Group Dodge Viper, and championship contender Alline Cipriani, in the No. 60 Ginetta USA Ginetta G55, would complete the class top five with times fo 2:19.771 and 2:20.651, respectively.
In TA4 Ryan Dexter’s older brother, and TA4 champion, Warren Dexter would set the session’s fast lap with a time of 2:20.776 in the No. 61 Joe’s Hand Cleaner/ Dexter Racing Ginetta G55. Shane Lewis, in the No. 72 74 Ranch Resort Chevrolet Camaro, was second quick in class with a time of 2:22.351.
All three classes will return to the track later this afternoon for qualifying sessions, commencing at 5:25 PM CT.
Trans Am features on the Circuit of The Americas weekend alongside the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association holding the US Vintage Racing National Championship.
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.
Provisional Practice Results (PDF)
Race Lengths:
30 laps/ 70 minutes/ 102.81 miles
Circuit:
20 turns, 3.427 miles
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.
Remaining Event Schedule:
Saturday November 3, 2018
5:10 PM - 5:27 PM TA Qualifying
5:32 PM - 5:50 PM TA3, TA4 Qualifying
Sunday November 4, 2018
11:15 AM — 12:25 PM TA, TA3 and TA4 Race
