SCCA Trans-Am Series - Page 3

Coach Ep · 8 Apr 2015, 15:34 (Ref:3525087)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

It's surprising to see Trans-Am getting a big grid nowadays! Of course, it can't compete against Pirelli World Challenge in their current state.

I think you'll see a lot more green racing time in TA this weekend!

Seriously, the TA(1) cars are not that much slower than the GT3s (if not faster, not a clue about the laptimes tbh) but - on average - sound much better and the ground pounding V8s make your body shake when they pass by at speed!

Anyway, yes, a PWC-TA double header is a mouth watering prospect! Oddly enough, both series are sanctioned by SCCA-Pro but so far the synergy is far to be found...

Matt · 8 Apr 2015, 16:47 (Ref:3525108)

TA1 cars are quicker than GT1 cars, iirc.

nasportscar · 8 Apr 2015, 16:57 (Ref:3525110)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

TA1 cars are quicker than GT1 cars, iirc.

The TA1s are quite a bit faster in a straight line than GTEs, it's crazy how quick those things are.

FLGTFAN · 8 Apr 2015, 17:04 (Ref:3525114)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

TA1 cars are quicker than GT1 cars, iirc.

In 2005, the TA cars were around 9 seconds slower around Sebring than the GT1 cars. The TA(1) cars are now getting long in the tooth. Although faster than the new TA2 cars, their numbers are dwindling by comparison to TA2. IMO, it seems that the "show" is in TA2, and at some point the series may need to phase out the older cars.

Speed-King · 8 Apr 2015, 17:09 (Ref:3525115)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLGTFAN

In 2005, the TA cars were around 9 seconds slower around Sebring than the GT1 cars. The TA(1) cars are now getting long in the tooth. Although faster than the new TA2 cars, their numbers are dwindling by comparison to TA2. IMO, it seems that the "show" is in TA2, and at some point the series may need to phase out the older cars.

IIRC there are still new TA1 chassis being built by Tony Ave and some others. So while the designs might be old, the cars aren't necessarily. Also tubeframe cars don't age quite in the same way that unibodies do, and there still seems to be a good number of them.

How about putting a TA1 engine into a TA2 chassis, though? Aren't the TA2 engines ridiculously understressed?

**joeb** · 8 Apr 2015, 17:39 (Ref:3525125)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed-King

IIRC there are still new TA1 chassis being built by Tony Ave and some others. So while the designs might be old, the cars aren't necessarily. Also tubeframe cars don't age quite in the same way that unibodies do, and there still seems to be a good number of them.

How about putting a TA1 engine into a TA2 chassis, though? Aren't the TA2 engines ridiculously understressed?

Don't know about the engine stress level, but it is an interesting class:

http://gotransam.com/transam101/?cid=59344

Couldn't tell, but I think it is a spec chassis. Also strange that the Dodge body has to run a ford or gm engine....

FLGTFAN · 8 Apr 2015, 17:40 (Ref:3525126)

The TA2 cars are also tube frame. They are built by designated series partners, the info is available on their website. I believe a turn-key car is around $100,000. The cost structure is much more NASCAR than IMSA, i.e. they run steel wheels and "fat" Hoosier tires that cost a max of $500/set. It's similar to NASCAR Touring division road races.

Speed-King · 8 Apr 2015, 18:07 (Ref:3525143)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

Don't know about the engine stress level, but it is an interesting class:

http://gotransam.com/transam101/?cid=59344

Not saying it isn't. There's also a series for these in Denmark and Sweden, by the way. Jan Magnussen races a Camaro in his spare time there.

Quote:

Couldn't tell, but I think it is a spec chassis. Also strange that the Dodge body has to run a ford or gm engine....

I think that info page you linked to is kinda outdated... IIRC the Dodge that Tommy Kendall drove last year had a Dodge engine.

FLGTFAN · 8 Apr 2015, 21:41 (Ref:3525204)

One of the best things going right now is that Cameron Lawrence (TI Viper driver at Rolex, Sebring) is trying to break into the big leagues and still running the Challenger.

Coach Ep · 8 Apr 2015, 21:45 (Ref:3525205)

All TA2 chassis are basically Howe car - several engine and bodywork (Mustang, Camaro and since last year also a Challenger) options. Very similar to the DP formula.

TA3 are production based cars, split into 2 subdivisons: American - for the Mustangs and Camaros, and International for the Porsches, BMW and - oddly enough - Corvettes. These cars are very close to the GTS class in World Challenge, making cross overs easy (on paper).

nasportscar · 9 Apr 2015, 00:57 (Ref:3525235)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

All TA2 chassis are basically Howe car - several engine and bodywork (Mustang, Camaro and since last year also a Challenger) options. Very similar to the DP formula.

TA3 are production based cars, split into 2 subdivisons: American - for the Mustangs and Camaros, and International for the Porsches, BMW and - oddly enough - Corvettes. These cars are very close to the GTS class in World Challenge, making cross overs easy (on paper).

I could do without either TA3 class to be honest. If it was just TA1 and TA2, I'd be all for that!

**joeb** · 9 Apr 2015, 01:53 (Ref:3525251)

[QUOTE=Speed-King;3525143
I think that info page you linked to is kinda outdated... IIRC the Dodge that Tommy Kendall drove last year had a Dodge engine.[/QUOTE]

You are correct, I misread the page and there certainly is a Dodge engine.

The spec sheet from Howe is fun to look at too:
http://www.howeracing.com/Adobe/HoweTA20811.pdf

Says the engines run restricted in TransAm around 475hp, but can make near 700 unrestricted.

Rcz · 9 Apr 2015, 16:51 (Ref:3525435)

The series is cool, but I think Conti series does the concept better.

**FIRE** · 9 Apr 2015, 17:44 (Ref:3525448)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

I think you'll see a lot more green racing time in TA this weekend!

Seriously, the TA(1) cars are not that much slower than the GT3s (if not faster, not a clue about the laptimes tbh) but - on average - sound much better and the ground pounding V8s make your body shake when they pass by at speed!

But why don't we see these cars in Europe (e.g. Supercar Challenge, Creventic endurance races)? Fast and powerful cars for relative low costs.

FLGTFAN · 9 Apr 2015, 17:57 (Ref:3525453)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rcz

The series is cool, but I think Conti series does the concept better.

What concept would that be?

Speed-King · 9 Apr 2015, 18:10 (Ref:3525461)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

But why don't we see these cars in Europe (e.g. Supercar Challenge, Creventic endurance races)? Fast and powerful cars for relative low costs.

Actually, we do: the former Camaro Cup in Sweden and DTC in Denmark are run to these rules now, and the DNRT V8s in Dutch Club racing were basically the same Howe chassis minus the Pony-car-body.

Edit: The TA2-cars, that is.

**FIRE** · 9 Apr 2015, 18:33 (Ref:3525473)

But the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian series are one make series. I mean entering open series. So instead of buying an expensive GT(3) car buying a TA1 car.

Forgot about the DNRT V8.

Speed-King · 9 Apr 2015, 18:41 (Ref:3525477)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

But the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian series are one make series. I mean entering open series. So instead of buying an expensive GT(3) car buying a TA1 car.

Forgot about the DNRT V8.

I guess that's more due to not being allowed in. I think the GT3 manufacturers are rather territorial about their market and chances to win races, so under the current climate you'd never get one of those into the 24h 'Ring.

Sure that still leaves things like Supercar Challenge or VdeV - no idea why no one does it there. Might simply be supply issues, with the TA1 manufacturers - such as they are - not having a European sales partner. So if you want to get a silhouette, you can always go the Solution-F or Gomez route. No Atlantic Ocean to cross to get parts from them, and you can run similar engines in those. Well and then there's the V8STARs which were also American built and Roush-engined.

Only TA1 car in Europe I know of is a Camaro that very occasionally comes out to play in Spezial Tourenwagen Trophy.

http://www.fotocommunity.de/pc/pc/display/34003255

Coach Ep · 21 Apr 2015, 02:31 (Ref:3529549)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Only TA1 car in Europe I know of is a Camaro that very occasionally comes out to play in Spezial Tourenwagen Trophy.

SCCA GT1 class car, you'll see lots of TA cars (especially the big cars) in SCCA Club racing, usually for one or two-offs.

Looks like we're heading to Lime Rock on Memorial weekend, should be a great trip, the track is top 3 on my bucket list so I'm a happy camper!

nasportscar · 10 May 2015, 00:19 (Ref:3535999)

Race recaps and results from Road Atlanta http://nasportscar.com/rumans-reign-...-road-atlanta/

Bob Baldwin · 10 May 2015, 01:00 (Ref:3536006)

How many cars compete in the TA Class ?

BudLightJaguar · 10 May 2015, 07:48 (Ref:3536034)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Actually, we do: the former Camaro Cup in Sweden and DTC in Denmark are run to these rules now

Edit: The TA2-cars, that is.

I haven't attended at Danish races, but I've been once in a Swedish meeting. One thing that really bothered with the Swedish version, was the sound. They ran with mufflers larger than a mailbox, so it felt really neutered. Same thing here in Finland, though I haven't attended at Finnish meetings.

It's ridiculous, because the name of the series is Thunder Cars and they use terms like "V8 rumble" in marketing, but the sound is actually closer to the Audi LMP1 than original TA cars.

Matt · 10 May 2015, 18:26 (Ref:3536193)

They ran as a support series to Drifting this weekend.

nasportscar · 19 May 2015, 18:49 (Ref:3539415)

More Trans Am TV time http://nasportscar.com/trans-am-anno...e-day-classic/

canamman · 19 May 2015, 21:28 (Ref:3539467)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nasportscar

More Trans Am TV time http://nasportscar.com/trans-am-anno...e-day-classic/

Thanks for the reporting of this series!
I am going to keep up with this as
I think there is a good story there with
Amy Ruman.

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