2023 Watkins Glen International

The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) introduced the Trans Am series in 1966. The championship was created during the introduction of Detroit's 'American Pony Car' period. The Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro proved to be very popular with consumers and the best way for manufacturers to demonstrate their potential was 'To race on Sunday and sell on Monday.'

In 1966, vehicle classification and rules were based on the SCCA's A and B Sedan amateur classes. A Sedan was called the Over 2.0-Liter category. The cars competing in the group were limited to a 5.0-liter engine and provided a platform to showcase the new 'Pony Cars.' The Under 2.0-Liter category included BMW, Alfa Romero, British Leyland and Porsche vehicles.

The Trans Am series and its regulations have evolved over time. The championship has changed the race formats, vehicle eligibility and rules governing the cars.

Currently, the races are 100-miles in length with no opportunity for a pit stop to change drivers or tires and refuel the car. Teams can also compete in two championships – Trans Am Championship and Trans Am West Coast Championship.

Trans Am Championship

February 23-26 - Sebring International Raceway
March 9-12 – NOLA Motorsports Park
March 23-26 – Road Atlanta
May 26-29 – Lime Rock Park
June 2-4 - Detroit Grand Prix (TA2 only)
June 15-18 - Indianapolis Motor Speedway (TA/XGT/SGT/GT only)
June 23-26 - Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
July 6-9 – Road America
August 3-5 – Big Machine Music City Grand Prix (TA2 only)
September 6-10 – Watkins Glen International
September 22-24 – World Wide Technology Raceway
October 5-8 – VIRginia International Raceway
November 2-5 – Circuit of the Americas

Trans Am West Coast Championship

March 3-5 – Thunderhill Raceway
April 27-May 30 – Sonoma Raceway
May 5-7 – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
June 9-11 – The Ridge Motorsports Park
July 21-23 – Portland International Raceway
October 20-22 – Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch
November 2-5 – Circuit of the Americas

In 2023, there are five classes – Trans Am, Trans Am 2, Xtreme Grand Touring, Super Grand Touring and Grand Touring. Trans Am, Xtreme Grand Touring, Super Grand Touring and Grand Touring compete in the same event. Tran Am 2 drivers have their own race.

Trans Am (TA) – This is the series' quickest class. These tube-frame race cars are powered by a naturally aspirated 366-cu.in. pushrod V8 engine, which produces over 850-horsepower. From a technological standpoint, the vehicles are kept relatively simple – no superchargers, turbochargers, anti-lock braking systems or traction control. The body styles used are the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Cadillac CTS-V, Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Challenger.
Trans Am 2 (TA2) – These are also tube-frame chassis cars. Unlike the TA category, these vehicles use electronic fuel injection and intake restrictor plates to limit the horsepower to approximately 490. To keep expenses down, the series officials set the maximum price for shock absorbers, wheels, brake pads, and calipers. For example, shock absorbers are limited to $850 each. This category is also restricted to using a four-speed manual transmission with no overdrive. Teams are also prohibited from using superchargers, turbochargers, anti-lock braking systems or traction control. The most common body style is the Chevrolet Camaro, but the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger are also eligible.
Xtreme Grand Touring (XGT) – This class was created to give former FIA GT3 cars a place to race. The category is open to a wide range of GT3 vehicles - Audi R8 LMS, Porsche 991.2 GT3 Cup, Mercedes AMG GT3 and Chevrolet Corvette.
Super Grand Touring (SGT) – In 2019, TA3 was renamed SGT and included many production-based vehicles. Unlike TA and TA2, which are restricted to North American models, European manufacturers may compete in this division. As a result, the list of vehicles eligible for SGT is long and ranges from the BMW M3 to the Dodge Viper. Some cars are fitted with restrictor plates or carry additional weight to maintain parity.
Grand Touring (GT) – The Grand Touring was previously called TA4. A wide range of European and American vehicles are also eligible to compete in this group – the list is not as lengthy as the Super Grand Touring category. This is viewed as an entry-level category that only allows limited preparation. To equalize performance, some cars may carry additional weight or the engine may be fitted with a restrictor place.

Round nine for the TA, XGT, SGT and GT categories of the 2023 Trans Am Championship presented by Pirelli was held at Watkins Glen International. Drivers would compete in a thirty-lap contest around the eleven-turn 3.337-mile road course.

Fifteen competitors race to Watkins Glen International’s turn two for round nine of the 2023 Trans Am Championship presented by Pirelli. At the head of the field in the No. 79 Anchor Bolt & Screw Dodge Challenger of Boris Said, who qualified second. Behind Said is the pole-sitter, Justin Marks, driving the No. 99 Showtime Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. Trailing the leaders are Chris Dyson and Keith Grant.

Early in the weekend, Justin Marks experienced issues with the No. 99 Showtime Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. However, the problems were rectified for qualifying and Marks started the thirty-lap contest from the pole, his fifth of the season. At the start of the race, he lost the top spot to Boris Said, but three circuits later, Marks grabbed the lead and went on to win. This was his second consecutive victory at Watkins Glen.

Earning the victory in XGT was Danny Lowry. However, it was far from easy as Ricky Sanders in the No. 18 Bridgehaul / Bennett Family of Companies Audi R8 LMS kept the pressure on during the entire contest. Lowry put the No. 42 Bridgehaul / Pitboxes / Bennett Mercedes AMG GT3 on the class pole and went flag-to-flag. He leads the class standings with seven podium finishes, of which three are wins.

Like XGT, there were just two competitors in the SGT category – Lee Saunders and Josh Carlson. The class points leader, Saunders, qualified on the pole driving the No. 84 Landsearch LLC Dodge Viper. Entering the Watkins Glen International round, he had five SGT pole positions in seven starts. Unlike Danny Lowry, Saunders went unchallenged and claimed his sixth category victory of the year.

Chris Dyson and his team also struggled with problems for the No. 16 Gym Weed Ford Mustang; however, they were resolved for the race. The 2021-2022 Trans Am champion qualified third fastest for round nine. At the start of the race, he chased the leaders Justin Marks and Boris Said. On lap-13, Said slowed, which allowed Dyson to move into second. He collected his seventh consecutive podium of 2023 with a runner-up result.

Finishing third overall and in the TA category at Watkins Glen International was Keith Grant. Grant comes from a family of racers. Not only has he competed in the Trans Am series, but he also has three FRP Formula Atlantic titles. Round nine was his fourth event of the season driving the No. 40 Showtime Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. He started fourth and the third-place result matched his best of 2023.

Another poorly subscribed class was GT, which only drew three competitors – Chris Coffey, Michael Attaway and Michael Saia. Coffrey dominated the proceedings. This was the rookie’s fourth event of the year. He started round nine on the class pole in the No. 97 Norwood AutoItalia / Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4. Coffey won his second race of 2023 by a margin of two laps over the category points leader, Attaway.

Round nine of the 2023 Trans Am Championship at Watkins Glen International was a milestone event for Boris Said. The race represents his 100th series start; his first came in 1993 at the Miami Grand Prix. Said qualified second fastest driving the No. 79 ECC / Anchor Bolt and Screw Dodge Challenger. He was on the dry side of the track for the start and jumped into the lead; however, it ended on lap-14 with a transmission issue.

The podium for round nine of the TA category of the 2023 Trans Am Championship was presented by Pirelli at Watkins Glen International. In the center scoring his third win of the season and his second consecutive at Watkins Glen International is Justin Marks. On the left is the championship leader and runner-up, Chris Dyson. Completing the rostrum is Keith Grant. This was his second third-place finish of the year.

FINISH	START	CLASS	DRIVER	SPONSOR / CAR	LAPS
1	1	TA	Justin Marks	Trackhouse / Chevrolet Camaro	30
2	3	TA	Chris Dyson	Gym Weed / Ford Mustang	30
3	4	TA	Keith Grant	Showtime Motorsports / Chevrolet Camaro	30
4	5	TA	David Pintaric	Kryderacing / Ford Mustang	30
5	6	TA	Tomy Drissi	Lucas Oil / Ford Mustang	30
6	1	XGT	Danny Lowry	Bridgehaul / Mercedes AMG GT3	28
7	2	XGT	Ricky Sanders	Bridgehaul / Audi R8 LMS	28
8	1	SGT	Lee Saunders	Landsearch LLC / Dodge Viper	27
9	1	GT	Chris Coffey	TrafficGrafix / Maserati MC GT4	27
10	2	SGT	Josh Carlson	Enseva/TC Fab / Ford Mustang	27
11	8	TA	Richard Grant	Grant Racing / Chevrolet Corvette	27
12	3	GT	Michael Attaway	Pitboxes.com / Audi R8	25
13	2	SGT	Michael Saia	KMC/Rabid Wrap / Porsche GT3 Cup 997.1	20
14	2	TA	Boris Said	Anchor Bolt & Screw / Dodge Challenger	14
15	7	TA	Amy Ruman	McNichols Co. / Chevrolet Corvette	5

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