Fix carries momentum into first practice at VIR
September 26, 2014
Lawrence leads TA2, Francis, Jr., and Snow split TA3
ALTON, Va. (Sept. 26, 2014) – Paul Fix led the 40-car Trans Am field onto the track at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) for the first practice session of the weekend, Round 10 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship. Powering the No. 4 StopFlex.com/ Tony Ave Racing Chevrolet Corvette around the 3.27-mile course to a lap time of 1:48.066, Fix set the pace for the TA class—just as he did at Lime Rock Park, where he led all sessions and claimed victory in the race.
Following Fix was Simon Gregg, in the No. 59 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, with a time of 1:49.012, showcasing the skill set that saw him win at VIR in 2013. Fix’s teammate, current points leader and defending TA Champion Doug Peterson, in the No. 87 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet Corvette, was third with a time of 1:49.479.
John Baucom, in the No. 86 Baucom Motorsports Ford Mustang, and Amy Ruman, in the No. 23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Camaro, rounded out the top five with times of 1:49.992 and 1:50.117, respectively.
In TA2, defending Champion and current points leader Cameron Lawrence set the fast lap of the session on his final lap with a 1:54.797 from behind the wheel of the No. 1 CTEK/NorthStar Miller Racing Dodge Challenger. Following Lawrence was the No. 44 Engineered Components Chevrolet Camaro of Adam Andretti, current runner-up to Lawrence in the points, with a 1:55.849 in second; and Lawrence’s teammate Tommy Kendall, in the No. 11 CTEK/NorthStar Miller Racing Dodge Challenger, in third with a 1:56.341.
Tony Buffamonte, in the No. 79 Ilmor Powered Chevrolet Camaro, and Bob Stretch, in the No. 98 FixRim/Wheels America, 1:56.617 finished fourth and fifth for the TA2 class.
Russ Snow, in the No. 20 Carbotech Chevrolet Corvette, lead the TA3 International Group with a time of 1:58.848, beating out Jason Berkeley, in a No. 67 BMG Management Chevrolet Corvette, with a time of 2:07.849, and points leader Norm Betts, in the No. 82 VP Fuels/ Hoosier Chevrolet Corvette, who put in a time of 2:13.15.
Ernie Francis, Jr., in the No. 9 Breathless Performance Chevrolet Camaro, led the TA3 American Muscle Group with a time of 2:00.50. The time by Francis was strong enough to edge out Thomas Ellis’ time of 2:03.611 from behind the wheel of the No. 00 Palm Express Ford Mustang and that of Todd Napieralski, in the No. 39 Tremec/SKF/BackStreet Chevrolet Camaro, who was third fastest with a 2:03.769.
Trans Am will return to the track at 5:00 p.m. EDT today for the final practice session of the weekend and for qualifying tomorrow, Saturday, September 27, at 12:00 p.m. for qualifying. The 101.37-mile Trans Am race for Round 10 of the 2014 Trans Am Champion will take place on Sunday, September 28, at 12:45 p.m.
Keep up with all the action throughout the weekend at gotransam.com, www.facebook.com and on Twitter at @gotransam.
