Series forms GTA class

THE TRANS-AM SERIES FORMS GTA CLASS; WELCOMES BACK GT AMERICA COMPETITORS

INDIANAPOLIS (March 15, 2005) -- The Trans-Am Series announced today the formation of a new class, GT America (GTA), paving the way for cars of the GT America Stock Car Racing Series to compete in the 2005 Trans-Am Championship. The move marks a reunion of the two series. GTA cars last competed with the Trans-Am Series in 1997.

The new GTA Class will feature V8-powered, tube-framed sedans. Eligible makes and models include Pontiac Grand Prix, Dodge Intrepid, Oldsmobile Cutlass, Ford Thunderbird and Taurus and Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The Class will be recognized with its own championship, as well as recognition in each race this season. The addition of the GT America cars turns Trans-Am into a three-class Series, which also includes the featured Trans-Am cars, as well as the GT-1 Driver Development Class.

"GT America is honored and extremely pleased to join the Trans-Am Series this year," said Ron Cortez, GT America president. "We are proud to be a part of a Series with such a rich history of competition. In speaking with our competitors, everyone is looking forward to this season. The GT America Class will bring yet another exciting facet of competition to Trans-Am, and I think the races this season will reflect that."

"The addition of GT America is a logical extension of Trans-Am's development system," said Trans-Am Series Executive Director John Clagett. "From a technical and rules perspective, the integration of GTA into Trans-Am is a reasonable fit. From a competition standpoint, GTA features road racers that know what Trans-Am racing is all about. So, this broadens our development system and that's very exciting. It also gives prospective drivers and teams yet another avenue in which to experience the excitement and history of the Trans-Am Series."

Since its founding in 1995 as a Northern California club racing organization, GT America has achieved recognition for affordable, competitive, action-packed racing and has grown to be the largest late-model stock car road racing series in the U.S. It has attracted racers from a wide range of backgrounds, and many of gone on to success elsewhere. In fact, several Trans-Am notables, including Bobby Archer, Leighton Reese and Chris Neville, honed their road racing skills in GTA competition.

The Trans-Am Series features closed-fendered, production-based, V-8-powered sports cars, competing on permanent road courses, and temporary street and airport circuits throughout North America. The Trans-Am Series is America's oldest continuously running road racing series and celebrates its 40th consecutive year of competition in 2005.

-transam-