Trans Am Adds Double Header to VIRginia International Raceway

Watkins Glen, New York (20 August 2020)- As a result of the ongoing pandemic and its impact on the state of New York, the Hilliard U.S. Vintage Grand Prix at Watkins Glen International scheduled for September 11-13 with Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), featuring the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli, has been postponed until the 2021 season. 

The two 100-mile races slated for Watkin Glen will now run as one race on Sunday during the VIRginia International Raceway event (September 24-27), making it a double-header and double-points scoring weekend for Trans Am.

“After very careful consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the Hilliard U.S. Vintage Grand Prix at Watkins Glen,” said SVRA CEO and majority owner of The Trans Am Racing Company Tony Parella. “We’ve worked diligently with New York State officials, the Governor’s office and the track to address every imaginable aspect of health and safety for our staff and participants. Even after arranging for COVID-19 testing at the track for everyone, we’ve been unable to find a manageable solution for travel restrictions and quarantine requirements imposed by New York State.”

Trans Am and Watkins Glen have a deep history with America’s Road Racing Series holding its first event at the legendary New York circuit in 1968. Competing there 32 times since its 1968 debut, Watkins Glen is one of Trans Am’s largest events on the calendar.

“SVRA and Trans Am have worked for several weeks with the New York Health Department, the Governor’s office and a New York Lobbyist to navigate a proper  resolution to fit within the Pro-Athlete event exception,” said Trans Am Racing Company President John Clagett. “We thought we had a plan that would allow us to safely hold our event. But, in the end we had some road blocks with out-of-state drivers quarantining for 14 days prior to the event. We fully intended to run at Watkins Glen and had some really encouraging collaboration among everyone. Unfortunately, there were still some challenges that could not be overcome, but we will now need to look forward to our return in 2021.”

With a schedule that has adapted through the 2020 season to stage safe events, the Watkins Glen cancellation will see Trans Am look to turn this into a benefit for the competitors. 

Since the VIR timetable will be extended by a day, Trans Am has offered its competitors a complementary test day on Thursday, September 24, to make up for travel inconveniences.

The first part of the VIR weekend schedule will stay as planned, with testing on Thursday (September 24), Practice and split qualifying sessions on Friday (September 25). Saturday (September 26) will feature two 100-mile features, one for TA2® powered by AEM and one for TA/XGT/SGT/GT. SVRA will make adjustments to Saturday’s schedule to maximize turnaround time for Sunday’s race day. 

On Sunday (September 27), an All-Class 100-mile feature will culminate the extended weekend. The grid will be based on the fastest lap times from Saturday’s race and the start will be split three ways (TA, TA2®, XGT/SGT/GT).

More information on the VIRginia International Weekend will be released as it develops. For more information visit GoTransAm.com.

For exclusive Trans Am content and to stream the VIR showdown, download the Trans Am by Pirelli Racing App.