LAS VEGAS (Nov. 1, 2016) — The organizer of the Trans Am Championship has struck a deal with Pirelli Tire North America L.L.C. making Pirelli the series' spec racing tire and presenting sponsor for the next three years.
Trans Am Race Co. L.L.C. and Pirelli announced the deal at the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in Las Vegas. Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. has been the series' race tire supplier for the past three seasons.
The Trans Am series was founded in 1966 and was popular in the 1960s and ‘70s as the premiere road-racing venue for the U.S. pony car generation – Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros, Pontiac Firebirds, Dodge Challengers and Plymouth ‘Cudas.
Financial terms of the deal were not announced, but Trans Am Race President John Clagett said a key component of the contract is Pirelli's commitment to invest in researching and developing tires for all four Trans Am classes.
Trans Am Race Co. took over management of the series in 2011 and breathed new life into it. The series will now be known as the Trans Am Championship presented by Pirelli.
“Trans Am is one of the biggest names in America, with close, affordable and popular racing that showcases thrilling competition,” said Paul Hembery, Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.'s motorsport director.
“With our involvement in the Pirelli World Challenge, as well as different one-make series in the U.S.A. and the recently opened P Zero World store in Los Angeles, Pirelli's links to auto racing have never been stronger.”
Pirelli will supply radial P Zero racing tires designed specifically for the Trans Am's TA and TA2 categories, along with race tires more closely linked to the P Zero road tires for the production-derived TA3 and TA4 classes.
A key development that Mr. Clagett mentioned was that of the Cinturato rain tire.