By Colin Wood
Jun 12, 2020
|
Trans Am,
Bridgehampton
For the first time since 1970, Trans Am will race at Bridgehampton Race Circuit—virtually, at least.
Taking place at 3 p.m. ET on June 13, round seven of the Trans Am by Pirelli Esports Championship will feature a qualifying round followed by two 20-minute race sessions, with the second session running an inverted field.
As with previous races in the series, all drivers will be racing in "Assetto Corsa" in identically prepared Corvette C7.Rs.
Spectators can watch the digital race on Trans Am's Facebook page, YouTube channel and mobile app, as well as on the UMG TV Esports Network available on mobile, Apple TV, Fire TV and Roku.
Get a feel for the track layout before the race:
Read the full release below:
Sag Harbor, New York (11 June 2020)—Trans Am by Pirelli Esports Championship will resurrect another retired circuit on Saturday, June 13 (3:00 p.m. Eastern). For the first time since 1970 , Trans Am will return to Bridgehampton Race Circuit for its penultimate esports championship round.
While the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli only raced three times at the Bridgehampton Race Circuit, the 2.85-mile Long Island layout was a key stop during the Golden Years of the championship. (Circuit Guide Video)
Trans Am first raced at Bridgehampton in 1968, won from the pole by Mark Donohue in a Roger Penske Chevrolet Camaro. Peter Revson challenged Donohue in an AMC Javelin until the 63rd lap of the three-hour race, when his gearbox failed. George Follmer went on to finish second in the other Javelin, 1.27-seconds back, followed by Sam Posey in the second Penske Camaro.
For 1969, Bud Moore’s Ford Mustangs dominated the event. Parnelli Jones won the pole and was joined by teammate George Follmer on the front row. Donohue, meanwhile, started last after switching to a different Camaro. The Penske driver quickly worked his way through the pack, and by lap 20 was challenging the two Mustangs. Jones dropped out with seven laps remaining due to a wiring fire. Follmer went on to beat Donohue by 1.26-seconds, followed by Jerry Titus in a Pontiac Firebird.
Roger Penske said the Trans Am moment he remembers most vividly was winning at Bridgehampton in 1970 - the first win for the Javelin driven by Mark Donohue that the team developed by themselves. AMC had threatened to pull Penske's contract before the race.
Donohue dominated the event, beating the Ford Mustangs of George Follmer and Parnelli Jones. Camaros took the next three positions, driven by Jim Hall, Mo Carter and Peter Schwartzott.
Racing in a driving rain, Donohue was challenged by Jones and Swede Savage in a Plymouth Barracuda. Savage turned the fastest lap of the event, but went out after 54 of the 70 laps with differential issues. Jones then encountered difficulties, enabling Donohue to cruise to a two-lap victory, averaging 90.55 mph. He went on to capture two additional victories, although Ford took the all-important manufacturer championship.
Saturday’s race resurrects the memory of one of the most challenging circuits in American motorsports history. The community of Bridgehampton hosted races on village streets from 1949-1953. Several incidents- coupled with a spectator facility in Watkins Glen- brought street racing to a close in 1953. The permanent circuit was built in 1957, hosting international sports car races, the USRRC and Can-Am. Heavy storms damaged the circuit in 1970. That, along with noise ordinances, ended professional racing at the circuit, although club races continued until 1998 before the circuit was turned into a golf club and housing development.
Round 7 of the Trans Am by Pirelli Esports Championship starts Saturday at 3:00 p.m. Eastern at Bridgehampton. The day will feature a swift qualifying followed by two 20-minute main events. For added excitement, the second round will be an inverted field.
Drivers will continue to race identically prepared Corvette C7.r GTLM machines hosted on the ‘World’s Fastest Gamer - SIM edition’ JV with Torque Esports and Assetto Corsa.
Fans can stream the action by downloading the free Trans Am by Pirelli Racing app (https://bit.ly/3dxc6Lg). The live stream will also be available on the series Facebook (www.facebook.com/gotransam) and YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/TheTransAmSeries), as well as UMG TV Esports Network on Mobile (IOS and Android), Apple TV, Fire TV and ROKU.
Watch Trans Am bring Riverside back to life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQXEyqH4V_o
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