# 97 Mike Phillips wins Trans Am SGT class at Lime Rock Park
The Trans Am/SVRA Speed Tour marked Lime Rock Park’s first major event under new ownership following 37 years under the stellar leadership of Skip Barber.
Former NASA racer Mike Phillips from South Salem NY took his first SGT class win in his debut season in the SCCA Pro Trans Am series.
Mike’s # 97 C6 ZO6 is maintained and crewed by F.A.S.T Racing in Maspeth NY (NYC borough of Queens) under the direction of fellow TA2 racer Adrian Wlostowski.
Justin Oakes from Houston TX gave up the lead on lap 49 when when damage from a broken alternator knocked his # 11 ex Lou Gigliotti C6 ZO6 out of the race.
Lewis Gigliotti, d/b/a G Speed Racing in Cresson TX has updated this car to state-of-the-art standards making it this year’s favorite to win SGT.
Jason Berkeley dropping in literally right next door from Falls Village CT, was 2nd in SGT.
The cars were gridded based on practice (vs qualifying) times because Pirelli was caught short on rain tires needed to deal with wet track conditions.
In the TA class, Paul Fix from Buffalo NY was a “blast from the past” capturing 4th in this # 4 C7 Corvette furnished by Tony Ave Racing.
Amy Ruman 2-time champ from Stow OH in her familiar McNichols # 23 TA C7 Corvette was off the pace once again in the wet and finished 8th, next to last in class.
Chris Dyson from nearby Poughkeepsie NY in his # 20 Mustang surprised pole sitter Ernie Francis Jr from Dania FL, passing him on the outside line as they squeezed into turn 1 and holding on for an emotional overall win in the rain.
Mid-Ohio is next on June 26-27.
Photos, courtesy of Chris Clark.
