Trans Am Racing Becomes More Accessible with Parapower Project
November 5, 2021
Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli partner, EMCO Gears, has joined forces with TA2 Championship powerhouse, Stevens Miller Racing and MegaLine Racing Electronic, with a goal to provide a platform for paraplegics around the world to put them in the driver’s seat for either a track day driving experience or an opportunity to compete as a pro in the Trans Am TA2 class championship.
After consultation with TA2 Technical Director, Ricky Brooks, a driver using this technology, must strictly adhere to the TA2 rulebook, with no performance advantages whatsoever. Therefore, while the controls will be customized to each driver’s preferences, everything else will come down to driver confidence, mental strength and ability. Making it a level playing field for everyone.
This is a unique challenge for each of the project partners. EMCO Gears has provided the transmission, along with a tunnel mounted electronic shifter. Joe Stevens, and his crew at SMR, have tirelessly worked to prepare a current TA2 spec Dodge Challenger, including a complete rewiring around the dash, to connect the engine to the gearbox electronically. This will power the necessary hardware for the customized driver controls on the steering wheel. A special thanks to Sam Chaysavang at AEM Performance Electronics, for his amazing knowledge and support.
EMCO Gears is honored to have MegaLine Racing Electronic supporting the project with their E-Shift Gearbox Control Systems. Ben Roos, and his team at MegaLine, have electronically shifted their way to all of the most coveted accomplishments in the world of sportscar and endurance racing, many times over.
The project car will be at COTA this coming weekend, November 4-7. At these early stages of development, we are even more motivated and encouraged with the support and enthusiasm for this endeavor. “We look forward to providing TransAm racing opportunities for the paraplegic community in our part of the Motorsports world, and are thrilled with the progress so far. It’s been an incredible collaboration,” Mick Austin from EMCO Gears said proudly.
