Ruman and Lawrence lead classes in practice at New Jersey Motorsports Park
May 30, 2014
Jason Berkeley and Ernie Francis, Jr. set pace in TA3
If the first practice session is any indication of the rest of the weekend, records seem destined to fall at the RacingJunk.com 100, Round 5 of the 2014 Trans Am Championship, part of the Great Railing Weekend of Thunder.
The Trans Am field took to the Thunderbolt track here at New Jersey Motorsports Park, with drivers eager to take advantage of the near optimal conditions on course. Amy Ruman, in the #23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Corvette, was quick to do so—immediately laying down fast laps, replicating her performance during testing yesterday. Her final time, a 1:17.870, led the TA class and was nearly a second faster than the TA race record time of 1:18:689—if she can replicate that time come tomorrow’s race, Amy will have yet another spot in the NJMP record book to her name.
Ruman was followed by Simon Gregg, in the #59 Gregg Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, and Doug Peterson, in the #87 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet Corvette, with times of 1:18.260 and 1:19.414, respectively.
Cameron Lawrence, in the #1 Trick Titanium Chevrolet Camaro, followed Ruman’s example leading the TA2 class and shattering track and qualifying records for the class. His 1:20.984 will also be strong enough for track records if he brings the same speed into play during qualifying tomorrow, with the respective targets being a 1:24.094 (qualifying) and a 1:26.058 (race).
Following Lawrence was Bob Stretch, in the #98 FixRim Mobile Wheel Repair Chevrolet Camaro, with a 1:22.790 and Trans Am rookie Kevin Poitras, driving the #73 Mike Cope Racing Chevrolet Camaro, with a 1:23.703.
In the TA3 class, Jason Berkeley, another Trans Am rookie and driver of the #67 BMG Management Chevrolet Corvette, led the International Group with a 1:26.120 while Ernie Francis, Jr. led the American Muscle Group with a 1:27.985 behind the wheel of the #9 Breathless Performance Chevrolet Camaro.
Trans Am will take to the track once again at 3:05 p.m. EDT for the second practice of the day as drivers make their final modifications in preparation for qualifying tomorrow, Sunday, June 1, at 9:05 a.m., followed by the 101.25 mile race later that day at 4:00 p.m.
