Peterson and Ave set the pace during weekend's first session at Brainerd International Raceway

The first practice session for the Trans Am Series at Brainerd International Raceway’s 26th Annual Muscle Car Shootout went the same way as many others have throughout the Trans Am Season, with Tony Ave Racing one, two. 

 

Leading the way on the newly paved track was current points leader and driver of the #87 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet Corvette, Doug Peterson.  Peterson set the fast lap of the session with a 1:28.636 on his fourth lap, a time that would not be overcome despite some TA drivers staying out for as many as 20 laps.   Just behind Peterson was Tony Ave, back behind the wheel of the #4 Lamers Motor Racing/PME Engines/RPX Chevrolet Corvette for only the third time this year. 

 

While Ave has opted to make the management of Tony Ave Racing his emphasis in 2013, his continued talent behind the wheel was evident with a time of 1:29.632 on his fourth of only five laps. 

 

Following Ave by a gap of only .081 was the #23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Corvette of Amy Ruman.  Ruman split victories at last year’s doubleheader weekend with Ave, and the two seem ready to rekindle their on-course competition here at BIR. 

 

In TA2 rookie driver Robert Huffmaster set the fast lap of the session with a 1:33.960, despite having to return to the paddock with belt issues only two laps later.  Huffmaster currently stands third in the TA2 points; and any major success this weekend would help cement his, and the #27 KRYDERACING/VirSec Chevrolet Camaro’s, position in the top three.  It’s worth mentioning that Huffmaster is yet to win a TA2 race despite multiple podium appearances. 

 

Following Huffmaster was defending two-time TA2 Champion Bob Stretch, in the #98 Wheels America Racing/Fix Rim Mobile Chevrolet Camaro, with a time of 1:34.803 and current points leader Cameron Lawrence, in the #11 Ctek/Motorstate/NorthStar Chevrolet Camaro, with a time of 1:35.127. 

 

Finally, in TA3, Tim Gray, in the #60 Ryan Companies US Inc./Porsche GT-3 Cup 997, set the pace for the production-based class with a time of 1:40.557 edging out David Seuss in the #9 Northern Light/ Porsche 996 GT3.  Seuss is yet to lose a TA3 race he’s participated in but may face a solid challenge from Gray as the Porsches do battle atop the TA3 class. 

 

The practice session was under a slight delay due to prior on-track sessions but went underway after a delay of roughly 30 minutes. 

 

The next session is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. CDT as Trans Am wraps up its action for the afternoon in preparation for qualifying tomorrow at 9:50 a.m. and the 100 mile, 40 lap, race is slated for 4:00 p.m. later that afternoon. 

 

Keep up on all the action from Brainerd International Raceway at www.gotransam.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam and on Twitter at @gotransam.