TRANS AM BY PIRELLI
Throughout the years, some of the greatest names in motorsports have participated in the Trans Am Series.
TA CLASS
With over 800 horsepower, the sights and sounds of the Trans Am presented by Pirelli TA class resonate with much of the history of the pinnacle classes of North American motorsports, where power easily exceeded mechanical grip and aerodynamic downforce. These aggressive machines have a legacy that is decades in the making. With their remarkable speed, incredible sound, and the visceral challenges of pure racing thanks to electronic driver aids being banned, the fans love the cars of the TA class as much as its drivers do. READ MORE »
The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli is America’s Road Racing Series and dates back to 1966. Throughout the years, some of the greatest names in motorsports have participated in the Trans Am Series. Names like Tommy Kendall, Mark Donohue, Peter Gregg, Bob Tullius and Wally Dallenbach, Jr. have all won multiple championships under the Trans Am name.
While Trans Am will always be dedicated to honoring its history and legacy, it is far from simply living in the past. Since the addition of the Trans Am Race Company, LLC in late 2011, Trans Am has experienced unprecedented growth as a new class based model has been implemented. Now, four distinct classes take center stage; TA, XGT, TA2™, SGT and GT while Trans Am is positioned to power into the future, not live in the past.
Just a few short years later, a very different Trans Am has emerged. A Trans Am that features 70-plus grids populated by Mustangs, Camaros, Challengers and Corvettes— a massive dose of pure Americana, with just a touch of nostalgia. While it may be tempting to label this the ‘new Trans Am,’ it is more of a return to the true Trans Am. The way it should always be.
Trans Am is now powered by relevant, practical and purposeful racing platforms that highlight driver talent and generate organic series growth. That competition platform is pared with a dedication to teams and drivers with a true passion for their sport. In turn, numerous partners have joined us on this remarkable journey, helping bring Trans Am, once more, to the national stage—showcasing the action to a growing and dedicated audience on CBS Sports Network.
The iconic Trans Am Series – America’s Road Racing Series – is operated by the Trans Am Race Company, LLC. Trans Am Race Company manages: the day to day operations, the annual calendar, partnership programs, marketing and public relations, the series website, events, series broadcast, livestream and video and sets the technical and sporting regulations.
Through a 25-year agreement, SCCA Pro Racing sanctions Trans Am events and provides officials working under the direction of Trans Am Race Company.
ERNIE FRANCIS, JR.
Currently at 23 years old, Ernie Francis Jr. (EFJ) has already established several impressive milestones in the motorsports industry. He is currently the winningest all time driver in 55 years of TransAm racing. At age 16 he became the youngest TransAm champion in the series’ history. He is the youngest professional driver to win 7 consecutive championships in TransAm (2017-2020 TA Class). EFJ also won the SCCA National Championship Runoffs (GT1 class) in 2019.
One of EFJ’s most impressive races was at Indianapolis in 2018 for a TransAm race where he missed qualifying due to a prior NASCAR race commitment. As a result, he started in last place on race day and still managed to maneuver his way to the top and take 1st place!
