TRANS AM: Bahama and Gloy 2nd at Laguna Seca race

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 9, 2001

SALINAS, Calif. (September 8, 2001) – The 2001 BFGoodrich Trans-Am Series continued today, in the tenth of eleven races, at scenic Laguna Seca road course in Monterey, Calif. Tom Gloy Racing entered Brian Simo who drove the #88 Tommy Bahama Qvale Mangusta to a second place finish.

This is the second race for the recently debuted Riley & Scott Mk VIII Trans-Am chassis. Simo started at the back of the field after originally qualifying sixth in Saturday’s session. He was penalized for making an error by leaving the pit lane area with his racecar without a scrutineer before the end of qualifying.

Simo started 24th for the 56 lap race of 125.238 miles. The Tommy Bahama driver had moved into the top ten by lap eight and continued to move up through the field for the remainder of the race. Today’s race was one of three events this year that had mandatory pits stop. Gloy brought Simo in for his fueling stop on lap 17 and it was flawless. He returned to the race and was in the top five by lap 25 and had moved into second place on lap 32. He battled hard with the eventual winner, Justin Bell.

"The team kept the faith today even though we started at the back," said Simo. "Tom called a great race and helped me keep my composure. It was hard to start 24th but it did help me keep determined and focused on getting the Tommy Bahama car to the front. It’s been a long season and these kinds of results are great for Tommy Bahama, Valvoline and especially the crew who has been working hard with Riley & Scott in developing this new chassis. This makes going on to Houston and finishing the season easier."

"My team did a great pit stop today, everything was smooth," said Gloy. " In spite of all of the difficulties we have had during the last few races, to have a flawless race and have things go according to plan makes finishing second even better. I am happy for the second place finish for Tommy Bahama, Valvoline and our crew. This is also my home track and it was wonderful to have my family and friends here and to be back in the Monterey Bay area again."

"We know after the race at Mid Ohio (qualified third and ran in the top five) and with today’s second place finish, it’s a solid start but there is a lot more performance left in this new chassis," said Bill Riley, vice president of Riley & Scott. "Brian and the Tom Gloy team did everything we needed them to do today. We still need to do more testing and make more changes before Houston."

The next race for Tom Gloy Racing will be at on October 6, 2001. The final round of the 2001 Trans-Am Series/ BFGoodrich Tires Cup will be on the 1.527 temporary street course located in downtown Houston. The race will air on the Speedvision Television Network on October 13 at 2:00 p.m. EST.

Text provided by Robin Herring

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.