TA class tight in second practice, TA2 marked by return of Tommy Archer

 

In TA, Doug Peterson managed to set the fast time of the session behind the wheel of the #87 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet Corvette, a 1:25.683, but the rest of the TA class certainly made the 2013 TA Champion work for it.  RJ Lopez, in the #06 Disco 106 Optica 106 Chevrolet Corvette, David Pintaric, in the #56 Kryderacing/Carbo Tech Brakes/WRP Chevrolet Corvette, and Simon Gregg, in the #59 Derhaag Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, were all within three tenths of a second of the #87 car and placed in that order during the session.  Amy Ruman, in the #23 McNichols Company Chevrolet Corvette, placed fifth to round out the top five. 

 

Cliff Ebben, driver of the #36 Stumpf Ford/McMahon Group Ford Mustang, did not participate in the session but still holds the overall fast time for the day, a 1:25.043. 

 

In TA2, Cameron Lawrence, in the #1 Trick Titanium Chevrolet Camaro, once again set the fast time for the class, a 1:30.370, faster than his earlier time of 1:30.722.  He was followed closely by Bob Stretch, in the #98 FixRim Mobile Wheel Repair Chevrolet Camaro, and Ron Keith, in the #25 Mike Cope Racing Ford Mustang, with times of 1:30.761 and 1:31.453, respectively. 

 

In many ways TA2 was highlighted by the return of Tommy Archer to the Trans Am Series.  Archer, well known throughout North American road racing, is making his first Trans Am appearance since 2001, and will be driving the #53 Archer Racing/Race-keeper/TeamTech Chevrolet Camaro this weekend. 

 

Archer’s first Trans Am season came in 1992 when he finished third in the drivers’ standings and won Rookie of the Year for his efforts in a Dodge Daytona.  Archer will be joining fellow teammates Frank Lussier, Nathan Stokey and David Mazyck, all of whom are flying the Archer Racing banner this weekend.

 

In TA3 International, teammates Michael Camus and David Tuaty, in the #7 MCM Holding BMW M3 and the #68 TLM USA BMW M3, set the pace with times of 1:35.864 and 1:35.489.  Mark Lenin finished third in the session with a 1:36.344 for the record TA3 International entry. 

 

In TA3 American Muscle, Dean Martin, in the #52 Rehagen Racing Ford Mustang, led the way once more with a time of 1:34.544, just short of his 1:34.527 from the earlier session.  He was followed by Todd Napieralski, in the #39 Tremec/SKF/Backstreet Performance/Chevy Performance Chevrolet Camaro, with a 1:38.717, and Steve Kent, Jr., in the #17 XLR8 Diesel Trucks Ford Mustang, with a 1:38.772. 

 

Trans Am will take to the track again tomorrow, Saturday, March 8, for qualifying.   The TA class will qualify first at 11:25 a.m. EST, followed by TA2 at 12:45 p.m. EST and TA3 at 1:15 p.m. EST. 

 

Then on Sunday, March 9, TA2 will take to the track at 1:30 p.m. EDT for a 100.395 mile race, followed by TA and TA3 at 2:50 p.m. EDT for another 100.395 mile Trans Am race. 

 

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