With the program coming together early last week, Parker Chase and Ginetta Cars put on a spectacular performance at the famed Circuit of the Americas (COTA) this past weekend in their Trans Am Series debut. With support from Ginetta Cars and a teammate in Ginetta factory driver Charlie Robertson, the duo had the pace to battle for the overall class win even though starting from the tail of the field to ensure they stayed out of the championship contender’s points battle.
“It was a great weekend in COTA and my third second place finish here in a row,” explained Chase. “The support that we received from Ginetta was second to none and I can’t thank them and Performance Motorsports Group for their efforts.”
In part due to the huge efforts of Adolpho Rossi of Ginetta USA, the Ginetta G55 is being considered for inclusion in the 2018 Trans Am Championship. Utilizing the final two events of the 2017 racing season as an evaluation for the 2018 program, Chase joined Ginetta British factory driver Charlie Robertson in the Ginetta G55 machine and at one point, looked poised to take two steps on the podium.
Along with his second place result and fastest lap of the race, Chase was very positive on his Trans Am Series debut.
“The series is a good fit for the Ginetta G55 and we are very happy they let us test the waters and it is unique racing against several different brands of cars. The officials and Trans Am Series themselves were very welcoming and made the entire experience a positive one for all of us.”
At one point in the latter stages of the race it looked as if Chase and Robertson were in a position to garner a win and a podium result. With less than fifteen minutes remaining, Robertson and his Ginetta G55 had taken the point with Chase following in the third position. A mechanical failure late in the race forced Robertson to the sidelines while Chase hounded the leader in the final laps but could not find a way by. While Chase claimed the second position on track, he was not able to celebrate on the podium due to the Ginetta G55 competing in the event in an exhibition style format for evaluation and possible inclusion to the series in 2018.
While plans were to compete at the final round of the Trans Am Series in December, Performance Motorsports Group, Ginetta Cars, Parker Chase and Charlie Robertson had to decline the offer due to logistical reasons. Ginetta Cars, Performance Motorsports Group and the Chase Racing program would like to thank the Trans Am Championship for their invitation to compete at the Circuit of the Americas and will now shift their focus to begin to prepare for 2018.
Photo by: Red Case Photography