Showtime Motorsports Audi Program Prime for Trans Am XGT

February 19, 2020

Franklin, TN - February 19, 2020 - Hailing from the great state of Tennessee, Showtime Motorsports are back on the grid in 2020 as the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli adds a new production-based class to its thriving line-up for the upcoming season of competition.

The new Xtreme GT (XGT) class is focused on 2016 and earlier FIA GT3 machines that are no longer eligible to race in other professional series and it slots in between the Trans Am and TA2 classes. The GT3 Audi R8s are particularly powerful performers in this category and Showtime Motorsports will be fielding two entrants in the class at the opening weekend of the Trans Am Series at the iconic Sebring International Raceway in Florida and for the rest of the season.

Team principal Ken Thwaits will be behind the wheel of the imposing looking No. 5 Franklin Road Apparel Audi R8 GT3 Ultra. His teammate Kevin Long will be piloting the equally impressive No. 15 Franklin Road Apparel Audi R8 LMS Ultra. A winner in both sprint and endurance races, power for the Audi cars comes from a state of the art 5.2 liter V10.

The new class adds a European dimension to the Trans Am scene, as competing at Sebring with the two awesome Audi R8 cars will be marques including Aston Martin and Porsche. The new XGT class entries will further maximize performance by using advanced aerodynamic parts as homologated into the original FIA GT3 specification, thus boasting a higher level of downforce than is utilized in the SuperGT and GT class machines in Trans Am competition.

Having joined the Trans Am roadshow midway through the 2019 season and definitely got the bug, Showtime Motorsports team boss and wheelman Ken Thwaits was understandably enthusiastic ahead of the trip to Florida at the end of the month, Feb 28. Talking to our reporter earlier this week, Ken referred to the team's initiation into Trans Am and the team’s plans for the year ahead, "We were new to Trans Am in 2019 and decided to run the race at Indianapolis. We had so much fun running that race that we decided to run four more!”

The trip to Florida will be the first time Showtime Motorsports have competed at Sebring but it won't be the last time the Volunteer State outfit break new ground this year as Ken revealed, “For our 2020 season we are planning on running the full season in the new XGT class with our Audi R8 GT3 Ultra. It was great being able to prepare the car all winter - getting the car ready to take on the very best GT3 cars in the country.”

Showtime Motorsports have created a terrific opportunity for new entrants to the sport, with a second car available for rookies and experienced drivers alike as he explained, “We also purchased another Audi R8 in the off season so that we can run a second team car for customers wanting to compete in the top level sports car class.”

Speaking at the end of the 2019 season, Trans Am Company President John Clagett explained the rationale behind the introduction of the XGT series, “There are believed to be more than 100 GT3 race cars in North America that are no longer eligible to run in the professional series that they originally competed in. These cars have a lot of good life remaining in them, but there are not really any good places for those cars to race competitively. The Trans Am Series intends to deliver a professionally-run series for drivers to compete in these cars and fully exhibit their potential.”

The Showtime Motorsports Audi R8s will be aiming for podium finishes in their class around the country and these breathtaking vehicles are sure to prove extremely popular with Trans Am fans and racegoers.

Learn more about our team partner, Franklin Road Apparel, franklinroad.com.

Visit the team’s website for Showtime Motorsports at showtimemotorsports.net and keep up to date with the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli at gotransam.com.

About Showtime Motorsports:
The Showtime Motorsports brand includes Ken Thwait's racing team and racecars, and an outstanding classic Camaro collection. Showtime Motorsports brings together a dynamic staff who employ diverse talents and share a passion for cars, racing and caring for clients like they are our own family members.