Just 1 of 5 Corvettes finish in the Trans Am opener at Sebring

Pre-season optimism faded fast at the historic 5.2-mile Sebring circuit in central Florida.

On his first outing at Sebring, Randy Hale from Old Saybrook CT in his C6 # 31 Corvette was third in the XGT.  The venerable C6 Corvette has led a long useful life however it is no match for the AMG Mercedes GT3 and a Porsche 911 GT3.

Aaron Pierce from Fishers IN in the C6 # 02 of his team-mate Larry Bailey had the speed for the SGT class until his ride abruptly ended after just 2 laps due to engine bearing failure. (Same for Kaylee Bryson in team car # 26 on lap 5 please see below). The cause is being investigated.

Amy Ruman, a two-time champ from Stow OH in her C7 # 23 fell to thirteenth (last) in the big TA class, stopped by trouble after just 7 laps.

Matt Brabham from Indianapolis IN, (grandson of the legendary Formula 1 champion Jack Brabham) led all 27 laps in a Mustang, part of a 3-car team fielded by last year’s Trans Am champ, Chris Dyson.

Richard Grant from Germantown TN shepherds three family generations in the role of father, uncle and grandfather.  He is still out there after many years of racing.  Richard has slowed down by now and was out by lap 8 while his nephew Keith Grant finished third overall in a brand-new Camaro. 

Kaylee Bryson, a young phenom from Broken Arrow OK replaced Aaron Pierce in the C6 # 26 LSI/Pierce Chevrolet team Corvette.  She also ran into early trouble on lap 5.

Kaylee, a 21-year-old protégé is a product of close wheel-to-wheel racing on the USAC Midget Car circuit was adopted by SPR team principal Aaron Pierce's AP Driver Development program.  

 We will try to learn more about the many retirements which are anything but normal. 

 Trans Am round 2 comes next on March 9 at NOLA, a 2.7mile track in Avondale LA, north of New Orleans.

 Photos thanks to Larry VanScoy and Chris Clark.