Showtime Motorsports Fights Through Road Atlanta
April 3, 2023
Round 3 of the Trans Am National Tour Championships presented by Pirelli took on the challenging course of Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA and the Showtime Motorsports team faced every kind of challenge and opportunity throughout the weekend. Together the team is inching closer and closer to bigger success as they take on both the TA and TA2 categories this season.
TA2
Evan Slater really shined throughout testing, qualifying, and the race. His blazing fast qualifying lap of a 1:23.5 put him in the P2 position, on the front row with Rafa Matos. Ultimately, he finished P5 after a race full of mixed track conditions of being damp, fairly dry, to a treacherous downpour to the checkered flag.
“Had a great race at Road Atlanta, leaving with another top 5, and 5th in points. The Showtime Motorsports and Franklin Road Apparel Camaro was fast all weekend finishing 2nd in final practice and qualifying. We ran in second for the beginning of the race in difficult drying conditions, but then as the track dried out we started struggling to find pace, and finished P5. The whole Showtime Motorsports team is working countless hours, and our first win is coming soon. Sending prayers to fellow racer Scott Borchetta, and wishing him a speedy recovery.” - Evan Slater #6 TA2
Dylan Archer continues to be consistent, just like NOLA he was able to finish in the same position he qualified landing him another top 15 finish, in P14.
"It was a weekend of double-edged swords. The car was great all weekend long, we just kept getting the short end of the stick in the sessions which put us on the back foot. I was hoping for a dry race as I knew we had a fast car in regular conditions. We started on a damp track that dried quickly and I struggled to adjust with the track as it changed. We didn't get the result we were looking for, but there was a lot that was learned, and we'll use it in our favor for the rest of the year!" - Dylan Archer #4 TA2
Michele Abbate struggled with several issues throughout the weekend. A brake failure in practice, a black flag on her fast lap in qualifying, and a suspension failure ultimately ended her race early with a DNF after she had worked her way up to P16 in the race - after qualifying P29; she officially finished P33.
“These are the types of weekends that really sting. I love Road Atlanta and I am definitely bummed that I didn’t get to take the checkered flag. We are already planning on how to have better execution and results as we head to Lime Rock in May.” - Michele Abbate #30 TA2
TA
Due to a schedule conflict with Justin Marks, he was unable to attend the weekend at Road Atlanta and did not race in the TA race on Saturday. Team owner and driver Ken Thwaits had a good test day, but unfortunately in Practice 1 a slower classed car made significant contact with Ken as they head to turn 6 and major damage was done to the #7 Franklin Road TA Camaro. The team was forced to retire the #7 Camaro for the weekend.
The broadcast of the Road Atlanta race weekend will air on MAVTV on Thursday, March 30th at 8:00 pm EST. Followed by the newest episode of Road to Glory at 10:00pm EST! You won’t want to miss it! Be sure to follow @ShowtimeMotorsp, @FranklinRoadApparel, and @RoadToGlory_official on instagram for the latest news and happenings!
The Trans Am National Tour Championship Series has a two-month hiatus before returning to the track May 26-29 at Lime Rock Park for the Trans Am Memorial Day Classic.
