Mike Cope TA2 presence continues to grow in Trans Am paddock as Homestead-Miami approaches

April 9, 2015

Mike Cope TA2 presence continues to grow in Trans Am paddock as Homestead-Miami approaches

Nine MCRE built cars entered in 31 car independent TA2 race

(Team Release) Clearwater, Fla. (April 8, 2015) – As the Trans Am Series prepares for Homestead-Miami Speedway, Round 2 of the 2015 Trans Am Championship, and the first independent TA2 class race of the year, drivers throughout the field will be preparing their own Mike Cope Racing Enterprises (MCRE) built cars.

In total, nine drivers will be behind the wheel of an MCRE built TA2 machine, the most ever in a Trans Am field with five electing to participate in the MCRE Arrive and Drive program: Kevin Poitras, Keith Procuik, JJ Haley, George Lutich and Tony Buffomante.

“We’ve seen incredible interest in our cars, especially when you consider this is only our second year with the TA2 program,” said Mike Cope, Owner of MCRE. “We currently have fifteen cars within the Trans Am paddock, with nine of those participating this weekend. In turn, we’re receiving more and more inquires every week. When you have drivers like Tony Buffomante and Tony Ave, true road racing stars, interested in and using your product, you know you’re doing things the right way.”

The first Trans Am race of the year showcased the prowess of the MCRE platform with drivers pushing their cars up through the field, particularly Tony Ave and Tony Buffomante who combined for 52 places overtaken throughout the course of the 27-lap race and 30-car entry field. Kevin Poitras also managed to finish in a very respectable fifth place despite having engine issues on the final lap.

“The TA2 field is ultra competitive,” said Cope. “So to see performances like that out of Ave and Buffomante really showcased not only our platform but their talent. It was the first time out for both those cars as well; we’re very excited to see what comes next for both of them—like many of the drivers in MCRE cars they’re a threat to win anything they enter, and we’ll see more than just a few podiums from them this year.”

Drivers sporting MCRE machinery currently entered in Round 2 of the 2015 Trans Am Championship include Keith Prociuk, Dillon Machavern, Tony Buffomante, George Lutich, Tony Ave, Kevin Poitras, Jordan Bupp, JJ Haley and Nick Hazelwood.

“We take great pride in every machine we build,” said Cope. “To see so many of them competing this coming weekend, well, we take pride in that too. Our goal is to always provide our customers with a car that gives them the best possible opportunity to win, one that’s strong from start to finish. We’re all excited for Homestead-Miami and ready to see what our customers can do. As always, we invite anyone interested in Trans Am or MCRE to join us at the track for what should be a great weekend of racing.”

The MCRE team and all MCRE built cars will take to the track in several TA2 only sessions throughout the weekend, all times Eastern:

Thursday, April 9
Test sessions throughout the day

Friday, April 10
9:35 – 10:05 AM – Trans Am TA2 Practice 1
3:45 – 4:05 PM – Trans Am TA2 “Fast Five” Qualifying

Saturday, April 11
9:45 – 10:00 AM – Trans Am TA2 Practice 2
10:25 – 10:35 AM – Second chance to Qualify

Sunday, April 12
8:15 – 8:25 AM – Trans Am TA2 Warm Up
12:25 PM – Trans Am Muscle Car Challenge, TA2 Race

Fans can keep up with MCRE throughout the weekend on Twitter at @MikeCopeRacing and keep track of each session at www.gotransam.com/live-timing or on Race Monitor.

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About Mike Cope Racing Enterprises:

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. Learn more at www.mikecoperacecars.com.

Mike Cope Racing Enterprises is based in Clearwater, Florida.

Mike Cope Racing Enterprises partners include: Quarter Master, Hawk Performance, Schoenfeld Headers, Wilwood, Port City Racecars, ButlerBuilt, Integra Shocks and Keyser Manufacturing.

MCRE Sponsors:

Bestline Superior Lubricants, www.bestlinelubricants.com

Since its incorporation, BestLine has developed a new line of full synthetic lubricants and lubricant additives that dramatically reduce friction, heat and mechanical wear to an extent never before seen or tested. BestLine refers to its proprietary technology as "Micro Lubrication Technology, (TM)" or "MLT."

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