Gar Robinson Commences 2016 with a Victory at Sebring

March 14, 2016

 Gar Robinson Commences 2016 with a Victory at Sebring

Picking up right where he left off last year, the reigning Trans Am TA2 Champion Gar Robinson commenced the 2016 Trans Am Season with a victory at Sebring International Raceway on March 5th, setting two track records in the process.

The kick-off to the season was granted picture-perfect weather over the legendary road course at Sebring. Spirits were high in the paddock as friendly competitors reunited to discuss their goings on during the off-season, while preparing for the first test sessions on Thursday. A practice session followed on Friday morning with a separate one shot qualifying round just for the TA2 Class held at 5:00 pm. In his second lap of the session, Robinson turned a record-setting lap of 2:08.358 in his No. 74 Chevrolet Camaro. This earned him the pole position for Saturday’s race while setting a new qualifying record for the TA2 Class at Sebring.

“Honestly, I thought Dillon had beaten me for qualifying, and my best lap didn’t feel like my fastest,” noted Robinson. “I didn't know I was P1 until I came into the pits. When I learned how much faster we were than P2, I was pretty excited.”

With 34 other muscle cars on track, including the No. 72 Camaro driven by his teammate Shane Lewis, Robinson managed to firmly retain the lead and hold off the field for the majority of the TA2 race on Saturday, falling back to second place for just a matter of minutes.

“Sebring is awesome; it's my favorite racing track. There are so many fantastic passing zones leading to the ability to put on some truly incredible racing,” noted Robinson. “It's bumpy, it's long, and it has history. Some parts of the track, like turn 17, have to be driven by braille. It’s a great place to kick off an incredible season.”

With a 2:10.429 lap during the TA2 race sponsored by AEM Performance Electronics, Robinson shaved two seconds off the previous race record, setting a new track record at Sebring.

In Robinson’s first Trans Am race at Sebring on March 1, 2015, he took home a second place trophy. When asked how he felt about getting his first win in just his second Trans Am race at Sebring, Robinson noted that he had actually been in victory lane there before. His father George Robinson won a GTS Class victory in the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1997, and had taken Gar, at the tender age of 2, up to the podium to celebrate with him.

Lewis had qualified in sixth position on Friday and, for the most part, avoided entanglements during the three full-course cautions in Saturday’s race, finishing the 100-mile race in fourth place.

“The team gave me a very good race car, everything I asked for. They never complain and work tirelessly,” said Lewis. “I wish I could have given them a podium, but I’m still very happy with fourth place. It’s a solid way to start the season, and the car is all in one piece.”

Round 2 of the 2016 Trans Am Series will take place at the 2.54-mile, 12-turn course at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia next month, on April 9 and 10, 2016. For more information, visit gotransam.com and robinsonracingteam.com.

On the Podium at Sebring - Round 1 of the Trans Am Series, March 5, 2016: Gar Robinson, Robinson Racing (P1), Adam Andretti, ECC Motorsports (P2), Tony Buffomante, Mike Cope Racing Enterprises (P3)
About Robinson Racing

Robinson Racing is a motorsports organization based in Milford, Michigan, with two vehicles competing in the 2016 Trans Am Series. In the TA2 Class of the Trans Am Series, Robinson Racing runs the No. 74 Chevrolet Camaro, sponsored by 74 Ranch Resort and driven by Gar Robinson, winner of the 2015 Trans Am TA2 Championship and 2015 Rookie of the Year. The team also runs the No. 72 Chevrolet Camaro in the Trans Am Series, sponsored by 74 Ranch Resort and driven by renowned endurance champion Shane Lewis. The Team Owner and Gar Robinson’s father, George Robinson is a former Trans Am driver, running in 46 races from 1988 to 1994 with one victory, eight top-five appearances and 24 top-ten showings. In addition to the Trans Am Series, George Robinson raced in IMSA, Grand Am, and ALMS, with 3 class wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring plus a Championship in the Ferrari Challenge. For more information, visit RobinsonRacingTeam.com.

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