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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.
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 vehicles from BMW, Alfa Romero, British Leyland and Porsche. The Trans-Am series and its regulations have evolved over time. The championship has undergone changes to the race formats, vehicle eligibility and rules governing the cars. Trans Am rules require that vehicles be constructed with a purpose-built tube frame chassis. The top chassis builders include Riley & Scott, Roush, Weaver, Selix-Weaver, Hoerr, Rocketsports and Pratt & Miller Engineering. The bodies are made of composites, such as carbon fiber, Kevlar and fiberglass. The rules stipulate that the cars should maintain the recognizable external features of the manufacturer's model while providing flares necessary to keep the tires inside the bodywork. SCCA Pro Racing uses body templates to ensure the shape of cars is within designated tolerances. Cars must use the stock windshield or an approved alternative, which has to be mounted in the original location and at the original angle. The rules also dictate the use of the stock taillights, which are often the only production parts on the vehicles. The popular models are the Chevrolet Corvette and Jaguar XKR; however, other cars eligible for the series include the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang. Car styles cannot be more than five years old. All vehicles are required to use an American-based engine. Eight combinations of body/year, cubic inch, and induction types are approved for the series. The grouping selected by the team will determine the vehicle's minimum weight. A 2001 body style with a carbureted 311-cu.in. must at least tip the scales at least at 2,600-pounds. The fuel-injected version is required to add an additional 50-pounds. At the other end of the spectrum are cars prepared to SCCA GT1 rules with 1998-99 body style and a carbureted 335 or 358-cu.in. They must weigh a minimum of 2,750-pounds. As the primary sponsor, all competitors must use the designated BF Goodrich Tires racing slick. The twelve race season begins in February and ends in late October.
Round seven of the 2003 SCCA Trans-Am Series for the BFGoodrich Tires Cup was conducted at Trois-Rivieres. Drivers would race around the eleven-turn 1.52-mile temporary street circuit for sixty-five-laps. |
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Fifteen competitors exit Trois-Rivieres’ final turn in anticipation of the Starter’s flag. On the pole, for the sixth time, this season is the points leader, Scott Pruett, in the No. 7 Rocketsports Jaguar XKR. Starting on the outside of the front is Pruett’s teammate, who is second in the standings, Johnny Miller, driving the No. 64 Jaguar XKR. The second row is occupied by the Jaguars of the local racer, Claude Bourbonnais and Michael Lewis. |
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Trois-Rivieres was another flag-to-flag victory for Scott Pruett. Pruett, who had only visited the track once before, qualified on the pole in the No. 7 Rocketsports prepared Jaguar XKR. Despite pressure late in the contest from his teammate, Johnny Miller, Pruett held on for his fifth win of 2003. He led the most laps and set the fastest race lap on the way to first place, which earned him the Flowmaster Challenge Award. |
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Starting next to the pole-sitter, Scott Pruett, was the second-fastest qualifier, Johnny Miller. This was the driver of the No. 64 Eaton Cutler-Hammer Jaguar XKR third front-row start of the season; Miller was the fastest qualifier at Lime Rock. He remained in contention until late in the contest and was in a position to pressure the leader, Pruett. However, the car slowed after the last caution period and Miller settled for second-place. |
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Tomy Drissi was having a difficult season. He often qualified at the top of the timesheets, but he finished down the running order more often than not. Drissi failed to finish in the top-ten four times in six starts. He was quick in practice but hit a wall and damaged the suspension causing him to miss the qualifying session. Drissi charged from the back of the field and finished third for his first podium of 2003. |
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Rocketsports team principal, Paul Gentilozzi, vacated the seat in the No. 3 Jaguar XKR in favour of local competitor Claude Bourbonnais. This was Bourbonnais’ first taste of a Trans-Am machine, but he had extensive experience driving open-wheel cars at Trois-Rivieres. He qualified third fastest and held the position for much of the race. Unfortunately, in an effort to stay with the leaders, he used up the tires and finished sixth. |
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The podium for round seven of the 2003 SCCA Trans-Am Series for BFGoodrich Tires Cup. Standing in the center is the winner and current points leader Scott Pruett. This was Pruett’s fifth victory of the year. Standing on the left is the runner-up and second in the title chase Johnny Miller. Completing a rostrum sweep for the Rocketsports team is Tomy Drissi, who claimed his best result of 2003. |
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| FINISH | START | DRIVER | CAR | ENTRANT | LAPS |
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| 1 | 1 | Scott Pruett | Jaguar XKR | Rocketsports | 65 |
| 2 | 2 | Johnny Miller | Jaguar XKR | Eaton Cutler-Hammer | 65 |
| 3 | 15 | Tomy Drissi | Jaguar XKR | Stuck on You | 65 |
| 4 | 7 | Randy Ruhlman | Chevrolet Corvette | Performed Line Products | 65 |
| 5 | 4 | Michael Lewis | Jaguar XKR | Trans-Am Tools Car by ProQuest | 65 |
| 6 | 3 | Claude Bourbonnais | Jaguar XKR | Rocketsports | 65 |
| 7 | 9 | Jorge Diaz, Jr | Jaguar XKR | Puerto Rico Grand Prix | 65 |
| 8 | 5 | Bobby Sak | Chevrolet Corvette | Revolution Motorsports | 65 |
| 9 | 8 | Max Lagod | Chevrolet Camaro | Hypermax Engineering | 64 |
| 10 | 12 | Joey Scarallo | Chevrolet Corvette | ROH Wheels | 64 |
| 11 | 10 | Bob Ruman | Chevrolet Corvette | McNichols/Cenweld | 62 |
| 12 | 13 | Simon Gregg | Chevrolet Corvette | Derhaag Motorsports | 61 |
| 13 | 11 | John Baucom | Jaguar XKR | Baucom Motorsports | 61 |
| 14 | 6 | Stu Hayner | Chevrolet Corvette | Trenton Forging | 31 |
| 15 | 14 | Garrett Kletjian | Chevrolet Corvette | Unicco Service Co. | 31 |
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