Trans Am racing returns to Laguna Seca
For the past 15 years, the best way to see Tran Am racing action at Laguna Seca was to relive the series’ ’60s and ’70s glory days during vintage racing at Car Week. That’s not to downplay the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, it’s a feast for the eyes and ears, but the short heats always leave us wanting more. In 2019, Trans Am racing is coming back to the historic track with full races and championship points hanging in the balance.
Laguna Seca hosted races in the peak of factory-backed Trans Am racing when drivers like Mark Donohue, Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Herb Adams, and George Fullmer battled it out on the track’s 1.9-mile original layout in Camaro, Barracuda, Javelin, and Firebird race cars. Those races offered up a great V-8 soundtrack and even greater rivalries.
Beginning the first weekend of May 2019, the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli will be back at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with modern versions of those same pony cars battling it out in the TA2 class that will pit drivers of Challengers, Camaros, and Mustangs against one another.
The 500-horsepower TA2 cars are geared to keep costs down and the playing field level while using late-model LS3, Coyote, and Hemi V-8s. Meanwhile, the TA cars pack around 850 horsepower with their carbureted pushrod engines and are practically NASCAR racers in far more attractive bodywork.
If you prefer your cars closer to stock configuration, GT and SuperGT might be for you. SuperGT can include Viper, 911, M3, and Corvette, as well as Ferrari 458 and 488 Challenge models, while the GT class include minimally-prepped Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, Corvette, and Maserati models.
All four classes will be on track at the challenging WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for Trans Am Speedfest, beginning May 3. Tickets are available now, with single-day ticket prices costing $30 if purchased in advance. Not a bad deal to get up close and personal with some of the fastest pony cars in the world.
