CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On Feb. 21, the inaugural class of the Trans Am Corridor of Fame might be inducted throughout a celebratory dinner at Florida’s Sebring Int’l Raceway, the place the collection made its debut in 1966.
Eighteen legendary drivers and workforce homeowners might be among the many first inductees into the Trans Am Corridor of Fame, which was introduced in November to honor the longest-running skilled highway racing collection in North America.
The Trans Am Sequence, initially named the Trans-American Sedan Championship, debuted on March 25, 1966 with its inaugural race at Sebring, and has excited audiences for almost 60 years with its mixture of highly effective American muscle vehicles and elite GT vehicles from all over the world.
Members of the brand new Trans Am Corridor of Fame will vary from the collection’ earliest winners and champions to influential figures who’ve formed trendy motorsports, in addition to groundbreaking opponents nonetheless competing within the Trans Am Sequence offered by Pirelli.
“I couldn’t be extra thrilled concerning the inaugural class of the Trans Am Corridor of Fame,” stated Tony Parella, founding father of Parella Motorsports Holdings. “On the evening of the induction ceremony, the room goes to be stuffed with so most of the most influential folks within the historical past of the Trans Am Sequence and motorsports as an entire.
“Will probably be my absolute privilege to honor them for his or her contributions to the collection.”
Under is the inaugural class of the Trans Am Corridor of Fame, in alphabetical order:
John Clagett
Former President John Clagett acted as a caretaker for the Trans Am Sequence for almost 40 years, starting his tenure with the collection when he served because the Vice President of SCCA Professional Racing from 1984-2000.
He was named Government Director of the collection from 2003-2006, at a time that was notably difficult for highway racing in North America. In 2009, he fought alongside Corridor of Fame inductee Greg Pickett to convey the collection again from dormancy, and was named President of Trans Am Race Firm, LLC. Since then, the collection has skilled exponential development in competitors, entries and followers below his watch. He secured a landmark title partnership with Pirelli, and sponsorship of the wildly profitable TA2 class with the CUBE 3 Structure TA2 Sequence.
Wally Dallenbach Jr.
Identified for his distinctive driving abilities and charismatic character, Wally Dallenbach Jr. made an impression in his debut season, incomes the 1984 Rookie of the 12 months honors. Impressing legendary workforce proprietor (and fellow Corridor of Fame inductee) Jack Roush and the Ford Motor Firm, Dallenbach Jr. was introduced into the Roush Mercury steady in 1985, the place he captured 5 victories and the championship, edging teammate Willy T. Ribbs.
At 22 years outdated, he turned what was then the youngest-ever Trans Am champion. He adopted that up with one other title the next season, profitable the championship by an enormous margin whereas racing a Chevrolet Camaro. Dallenbach Jr. would go on to excel within the GT classes in IMSA, profitable the Daytona 24 Hours in 1985, 1991, 1992 and 1993, and the Sebring 12 Hours in 1985, 1988 and 1989. He continues to race within the Trans Am Sequence at this time.
Mark Donahue (Inducted Posthumously)
Mark Donahue was the motive force to beat in Trans Am for 4 seasons, though the file books don’t totally symbolize Donahue’s greatness because the collection solely awarded producer championships till 1972.
Starting his profession within the collection in 1967 driving for fellow inductee Roger Penske, he scored three victories that 12 months. The next season he amassed 10 wins, together with a victory within the Trans Am class within the 12 Hours of Sebring alongside Craig Fisher, securing Penske and Chevrolet the 1968 title. Chevrolet took the championship once more on the energy of Donohue’s six victories in 1969. Incomes three victories in 1970, Donohue introduced Penske and new producer AMC the championship in 1971 with seven wins. His file of 29 victories wouldn’t be damaged for greater than 30 years, and making use of the factors retrospectively, he would have taken the motive force’s championship 3 times in 4 seasons.
Chris Dyson
The son of sports activities automotive racer and workforce proprietor Rob Dyson, three-time Trans Am TA class champion Chris Dyson has loved greater than 20 years of success in highway course racing. Dyson started his profession within the American Le Mans Sequence in 2001, the place he earned two titles. The proficient and passionate driver made forays into dash automotive racing and NASCAR, however discovered his house within the Trans Am Sequence in 2018.
Dyson completed high three within the factors in his first three seasons of TA competitors, and at last earned the coveted championship in 2021. He started a dynasty within the class, profitable titles once more in each 2022 and 2023. Dyson presently sits fourth on the all-time TA win listing with 26 Nationwide Championship victories, and continues to race at this time in pursuit of wins and his fourth championship.
Ron Fellows
A 20-time winner within the Trans Am Sequence, Ron Fellows is usually thought of the best Trans Am driver to by no means win a championship. His first victory appropriately got here at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in 1989 whereas driving for fellow Corridor of Famer Jack Roush. With three victories in 1992, Fellows completed second in factors, and he was a runner up once more in 1994 after 4 wins.
He earned his third-consecutive second-place end within the factors in 1995 with 5 victories, and fell wanting the title once more in 1996 regardless of 4 wins. Following his Trans Am profession, Fellows went on to race in sports activities vehicles, incomes class wins at Le Mans, Sebring and Daytona, whereas additionally capturing an American Le Mans Sequence championship. The Ontario, Canada native can be beloved for saving the observe the place he scored his first Trans Am victory, then often called Mosport.
George Follmer
Famend for his versatility, George Follmer is the one driver in historical past to win each the Trans Am and Can-Am championships in the identical 12 months. Follmer started his profession racing for Bud Moore from 1969-1971, incomes 4 victories. In 1972, he took the checkered flag 4 occasions, incomes the collection’ first-ever driver championship within the Over 2.5-Liter class, whereas scoring AMC its second-consecutive producers’ title.
That very same season, he stuffed in for an injured Mark Donohue in Penske Racing’s Can-Am program, scoring 5 wins and the title. Follmer went on to race in Method 1, Can-Am and NASCAR earlier than returning to Trans Am, capturing his second championship in 1976.
Ernie Francis Jr.
A prodigious expertise, Ernie Francis Jr. gained his first Trans Am GT class championship in 2014 on the age of 16, making him the youngest Trans Am champion on the time. He went on to win the GT title two extra occasions and develop into the winningest driver within the class with 23 victories. In 2017, he moved into the TA class, profitable the title 4 years in a row, and capturing wins in 24 points-paying races.
At simply 22 years outdated, Francis Jr.’s identify was already within the Trans Am file books, holding probably the most mixed Nationwide Championship wins and being the primary driver to assert four-consecutive Trans Am TA class titles. Francis Jr. has since gone on to race in Indy NXT. At simply 27 years outdated, Francis Jr. might proceed to interrupt information for years to return.
Paul Gentilozzi
Paul Gentilozzi has been a strong pressure within the Trans Am Sequence as each a driver and a workforce proprietor. First becoming a member of the Trans Am Sequence in 1987, he earned his first victory in 1988. A relentless presence on the racetrack, it wasn’t till 1998 that Gentilozzi actually hit his stride, tallying seven wins and his first Trans Am title. He backed it up the next season, profitable the championship on the energy of six victories.
In 2001, he gained the title after piloting to Victory Lane eight occasions, and repeated the feat once more in 2004. His fifth and last title was earned in 2006, and he holds the file of the winningest driver in Trans Am’s TA class with 31 victories. His workforce, 3GT Racing (previously Rocketsports Racing), has remained a relentless contender for wins and titles since Gentilozzi stepped again as a driver, and most just lately captured the TA championship with Paul Menard behind the wheel. His contributions to Trans Am racing prolong past the observe, as he performed a pivotal position in selling and growing the collection, making certain its continued development and success. Gentilozzi’s legacy in Trans Am is characterised by his dedication, ardour, and unwavering pursuit of excellence.
Dan Gurney (Inducted Posthumously)
Dan Gurney was a legendary determine on the planet of motorsports, famend for his versatility and innovation each on and off the observe. His illustrious profession spanned numerous racing disciplines, together with Method 1, IndyCar, NASCAR, sports activities automotive racing, and naturally, Trans Am.
Gurney is probably greatest recognized for his pioneering efforts in designing and establishing racecars, founding All American Racers and introducing the Gurney flap, an aerodynamic system that revolutionized racing automotive design. Gurney scored a Trans Am victory driving Bud Moore’s Mercury Cougar at Inexperienced Valley Raceway in 1967.
Parnelli Jones (Inducted Posthumously)
1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones entered the Trans Am Sequence close to the top of his illustrious racing profession, which included quite a few wins in NASCAR, USAC Inventory Automobiles, ARCA and what’s now IndyCar. Driving within the Trans Am Sequence from 1967 till 1971, Jones scored seven wins in solely 29 races within the collection.
His greatest seasons have been behind the wheel of Bud Moore Engineering’s Ford Mustang, scoring two victories in 1969, and 5 wins in 1970, which allowed Ford to seize the producers’ crown.
Tommy Kendall
After profitable three-consecutive IMSA GT championships, Tommy Kendall was recruited by Chevrolet to market the Baretta within the Trans Am Sequence. With six victories in 1990, Kendall scored his first of 4 titles within the collection.
His subsequent three championships have been scored consecutively in 1995, 1996 and 1997, within the latter of which he scored a shocking 11-consecutive victories. Kendall ended his profession with a complete of 28 wins, placing him third on the all-time win listing for the TA class.
Roger Penske
Whereas the identify Roger Penske might make many consider the workforce proprietor’s success in NASCAR or IndyCar, he as soon as discovered nice success within the Trans Am Sequence together with his workforce, then often called Penske Racing. In 1967, the group earned its first-ever main race win within the new Chevrolet Camaro with Corridor of Famer Mark Donohue behind the wheel at Marlboro Motor Raceway.
The workforce would earn two extra victories that season, and adopted that up with 10 wins in 1968 to earn Chevrolet the producers’ championship. Chevy earned the title once more the next 12 months on the energy of six wins from Donohue and two from Ronnie Bucknum. Penske made the swap to the AMC Javelin in 1970 after being recruited by the producer, and by simply the fifth occasion within the new marque, Donohue was in Victory Lane. In 1971, the title went to AMC, with Donohue racking up seven victories for Roger Penske.
Greg Pickett
Between the Trans Am Nationwide Championship and Western Championship, Greg Pickett has gained a race in every of the final six a long time. Incomes his first victory in a Chevrolet Corvette within the 1978 season opener at Sonoma Raceway, Pickett went on to earn three extra wins that 12 months, taking the Class II title.
He continued to race within the Nationwide Championship till 2020, racking up 17 victories within the Nineteen Seventies, Eighties, Nineteen Nineties and 2000s. In 2017, he joined the Western Championship and resumed his profitable streak, so far capturing 13 victories within the 2010s and 2020s, in addition to TA championships in 2017 and 2020. Pickett presently sits third on the all-time race begin chart, racing in his 2 hundredth occasion final season.
Scott Pruett
Scott Pruett has discovered success in quite a lot of sports activities automotive, inventory automotive and open wheel collection, profitable in a number of the world’s most prestigious occasions just like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. For the remarkably decided and diversely expert driver, the Trans Am Sequence was no exception, recording 22 wins and three championships in three completely different a long time.
Pruett gained his first title in 1987, piloting a Merkur XR4Ti to seven wins. He earned his second Trans Am title in 1994 with three victories, however it might be almost a decade later when he would win his third championship in his career-best season whereas driving Paul Gentilozzi’s Jaguar XKR to eight wins.
Willy T. Ribbs
Probably the most versatile and groundbreaking drivers of his period, Willy T. Ribbs began his profession in Trans Am with a bang, profitable 5 races and ending second within the level standings whereas driving a DeAtley Chevrolet Camaro. In 1984, he joined fellow Corridor of Famer Jack Roush’s tremendous workforce, piloting his Mercury Capri to 4 wins. His greatest season got here in 1985, when he gained seven points-paying races and earned one win within the Pacesetter Problem at Sonoma Raceway, however fell simply wanting the title.
Ribbs raced half time within the collection till 1992, then returned for a last season within the collection in 2000. In complete, he tallied 17 points-paying victories over the course of his profession. Exterior of Trans Am, Ribbs is understood for being the primary African American to check a Method 1 automotive and to compete within the Indianapolis 500.
Jack Roush
After forming Jack Roush Efficiency Engineering and offering components and engines for dragsters, oval-track racers and Hillclimb vehicles, Jack Roush answered the decision from Ford Motor Firm to convey his abilities to the Trans Am Sequence. Ford’s manufacturers went from being winless in 1983 to the Roush Racing Protofab Mercury Capris profitable 11 occasions in 1984 with drivers Tom Gloy and fellow inductees Greg Pickett and Willy T. Ribbs, whereas additionally taking the top-three spots within the standings and giving Mercury the producers’ crown. The next season, Corridor of Famer Wally Dallenbach Jr. and Ribbs tallied 12 victories, and in 1986, Roush’s Mercury Capri and Merkur XR4Ti gained the producers’ title.
Fellow inductee Scott Pruett gained the motive force championship and producers’ title for Roush in 1987, and Dorsey Schroeder gained the 1989 championship in a Roush Ford Mustang. Roush despatched Ford to the producers’ title in 1994, 1996 and 1997, whereas Tommy Kendall gained the motive force championship with Roush in 1995, 1996 and 1997.
Amy Ruman
Amy Ruman is a groundbreaker within the Trans Am Sequence, changing into the primary lady to win a Trans Am race and the primary lady to win a Trans Am Championship. The daughter of Trans Am racer Bob Ruman, Ruman broke the glass ceiling together with her first victory within the collection at Street Atlanta in 2011.
Embarking on her first full-time season in 2012, she completed second in factors on the energy of two victories. She completed fourth and third within the factors the next two years, earlier than experiencing an absolute breakout season in 2015, driving to Victory Lane in eight of 12 races and incomes her first TA crown. She did it as soon as once more the next 12 months, incomes three victories to attain back-to-back championships. Ruman continues to race within the Trans Am Sequence at this time, and has completed within the high 5 in factors for the final 15 seasons.
Bob Tullius
Fairly actually one of many first winners in Trans Am historical past, Bob Tullius drove to victory within the Trans Am Sequence’ inaugural occasion, profitable the Over 2-Liter class alongside teammate Tony Adamowicz in a four-hour occasion at Sebring Worldwide Raceway. The identical duo gained once more in a 12 Hour occasion at Marlboro Motor Raceway, and Tullius then drove to victory within the 1967 season opener at Daytona (Fla.) Int’l Speedway.
Tullius is probably greatest remembered as certainly one of America’s most interesting representatives of British vehicles. In 1977, he scored six wins within the Jaguar XJ-S to win the TA championship, and went again to again to win the championship in 1978 with seven victories. The next 12 months, he gained three occasions within the Triumph TR9, and the final of his 21 victories got here in 1981.
