Mike Cope Racing Ready for the Roval
March 17, 2022
Mike Cope Racing goes from the flat lands of Sebring to the Charlotte Roval Chicane. Six cars fill the MCR tent with Cope Chassis making up 40% of the field in round 2 of the Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli TA2 season. Because the first trip to the Roval was a ProAm event, for many, this will be their first time taking on the chicane.
Thomas Merrill, Keith Prociuk, Darin Mock, Jim Gallaugher, Ty Young and Matt Parent hit the track today two test sessions. All drivers are hoping to improve on the rough start experienced at Sebring. From car swaps and carnage to consistency and podiums, the MCR team experienced it all at the season opener.
Thomas Merrill comes off a podium finish at Sebring, hoping to continue the momentum in Charlotte. The Bridgehaul/ HP Tuners #26 has the pilot to make it happen.
Keith Prociuk fell onto some bad luck at the season opener. A victim to circumstance, an unavoidable accident ended his day early, but the #9 is back together and ready to chase the podium.
Rookie of the Year contender, Darin Mock calls North Carolina home and he hopes to do it big for his hometown crowd. Making his first appearance in a TA2 car at the Charlotte Roval, Mock has his eyes set on taking the #51 AAN Adjusters Ford Mustang to the front of the field this weekend. Consistency is key and Mock has proven he knows how to hit his marks.
Jim Gallaugher hopes the luck of the Irish is on his side this weekend. Sebring saw Gallaugher take a hard hit during qualifying which cosmetically totaled his #16 and required a back up car. Fellow Cope Chassis driver, Tom Sheehan, offered up his back up car so that Gallaugher could put in a solid run for point purposes. Heading to Charlotte, Gallaugher’s car is back in one piece thanks to the hard-working Mike Cope Racing crew… and he’s ready for some luck at the roval.
Ty Young is another driver under the Mike Cope Racing tent that is running for Rookie of the Year. As goes for most, Young is making his first attempt at the Charlotte Roval and has high hopes for the weekend. Young has a passion for TA2 and the power these cars unleash. His goal is to take the advice of his driver coach and gather speed every time he hits the track.
Last, but certainly not least, Matt Parent makes his second start of the season. Parent faces the challenge of being a bit under power this weekend, but his goal is as much seat time as possible. As some may recall, Parent had to take the majority of the 2020 and 2021 seasons off due to work demands but is ready to run most of the 2022 season. Following Charlotte, Parent will be giving the #16 Venture Contracting Mustang a break before strapping back in for the back-to-back California race weekends.
The Trans Am presented by Pirelli TA2 weekend starts now. Practice and Qualifying are scheduled for Friday, March 18th with the main event on Saturday, March 19th at 12:40pm EST. Watch LIVE as Speedtour.TV streams live on YouTube. Subscribe to www.youtube.com/thetransamseries or www.youtube.com/speedtourtv to cheer on the Mike Cope Racing team and ALL of the Cope Race Car drivers!
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About Mike Cope Racing Enterprises, Inc:
Perhaps no other team has worked so diligently to achieve success over the course of 30 years as MCRE. Over the years, they have successfully launched corporate sponsorships in national series, developed short track and SCCA Road race champions and mentored young upcoming drivers. Lead by Mike Cope, he brings the same enthusiasm, dedication and knowledge to his race team that made him victorious in his own racing career.MCRE offers a variety of services for drivers interested in the Trans Am Series’ TA2 program, including custom builds, arrive and drive programs, maintenance programs, consulting, driver mentoring, set-up and shock dyno. Mike Cope Racing Enterprises is based in Clearwater, Florida. Learn more at www.mikecoperacecars.com.
Mike Cope Racing Enterprises partners include: Koury Engines, Keyser Manufacturing, FiveStar Race Car Bodies, Wilwood Brakes, Bassett Wheels, Penske Racing Shocks, Integra Racing Shocks, and Tilton.
Parties interested in the 2022 MCRE “Arrive and Drive” Program in TA2, or would like to purchase a Cope Race Cars Chassis can contact the team office at 727-201-8910 or email megan@mikecoperacecars.com
