POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (June 24, 2020) — Coasting to a halt after a wiring issue knocked him out of second place at the Trans Am season opener at Sebring in February, Chris Dyson couldn’t have imagined it would be more than four months before he took to the track again in his #20 Plaid Mustang.
“The team was ready to leave for Road Atlanta when the seriousness of the public health situation became clear and everything began shutting down,” Dyson said, recalling the time between Sebring and the next scheduled event on the Trans Am calendar. “Humaid (Al Masaood, driver of the team’s #21 Amamos La Vida Tequila Mustang) had finished a strong fourth at Sebring. We had rectified the wiring problem on my car and Humaid and I were both looking forward to a great race at Road Atlanta. Instead, it’s summer and our second race will be at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Mid-Ohio Reprise
“The cost in lives and money to the nation and all of its citizens has been terrible,” Dyson continued, “But the situation is improving, at least in some parts of the country, and I am pleased our first race back will be at Mid-Ohio.
“Last year Ernie (Francis, Jr.) and I had a terrific race at Mid-Ohio, battling for the lead the whole way. I don’t think there was ever more than a couple car lengths separating us throughout the race. Unfortunately, the race ended under the yellow flag, so the fans – to say nothing of Ernie and me – were denied the battle to the checker everyone had been hoping for. So, I feel like there’s some unfinished business to take care of on Saturday. I just can’t wait to get back to competition.”
Al Masaood, who has spent his lock down time outside of London, said he was keen to get back on the track. “I was pleased with the both the car’s performance and mine at Sebring, and it’s been tough waiting for the chance to improve further on our results at Sebring.”
Al Masaood also expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by Trans Am Series officials and individual race promoters in reorganizing the 2020 calendar, maintaining a10-races schedule. “We will be doing more races in late summer and in the fall than was originally the case, but I’m sure all the stakeholders in the series – drivers, teams, sponsors, event organizers and fans – are pleased that we will still have a full schedule rather than one that’s been truncated.”
Dyson noted that the team since the shutdown has now had four weeks back in the shop in Poughkeepsie preparing for the remainder of the season. He gave credit to state and local government officials for the job they’ve done managing the pandemic over the past four months.
“As everyone is aware, New York State officials, and particularly Governor Cuomo and our (Dutchess) County Executive Marc Molinaro, have done a great job under trying circumstances in managing the state’s response to the coronavirus,” Dyson said. “The result has been a safe reopening of the state and of our race shop. The team is carefully practicing appropriate social distancing in the shop, as all of us in the Trans Am community will be at Mid-Ohio this weekend. It has been a difficult period, but we are back and ready to go racing.”
The Mid-Ohio race was originally going to be a non-spectator event. Happily, as conditions in Ohio have improved (the result of good crisis management by the state’s governor), last-minute successful negotiations between the race organizers and government officials mean a limited number of spectators will be permitted to attend the race. New Trans Am Streaming App
The good news for fans unable to attend the Mid-Ohio race (or others on the revised 2020 schedule) in person is that the series organizers introduced prior to the season-opening Sebring race an excellent video app that permits Trans Am fans anywhere in the world to view the entirety of the race from whatever their location.
While the race can also be viewed on You Tube, The Trans Am by Pirelli Racing App is unique to motorsports in North America. Fans can access up to six different camera angles, following one particular driver through the field if they wish. (Chris Dyson’s Plaid Mustang will be fitted with cameras for this event.) Viewers can also watch replays, follow live timing and scoring, read the most up-to-date news, access videos and of course live stream all from one place.
The Trans Am by Pirelli Racing app is available for download for both Android and Apple platforms:
Android
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nagra.ion.transam&hl=en_USApple IOS App:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/trans-am-by-pirelli-racing/id1494720210
The Saturday June 27 TA-class race streaming schedule starts at 12:50 p.m. Eastern Time.
Plaid
Headquartered in Atlanta, Plaid Enterprises, Inc. is one of the world’s largest, most diverse manufacturers of creative do-it-yourself products. Plaid’s product innovation and dedication to the ever-changing needs of consumers have made the Plaid family of products among the most recognized and desired brands worldwide.
Founded in 1976, Plaid began as a publisher of how-to craft books. The company soon expanded into manufacturing, with paint becoming the primary focus. Today, Plaid is the industry’s leading small batch paint manufacturer, proudly producing paint in its facilities located outside of Atlanta, GA.
Notable brands in Plaid’s portfolio include FolkArt, Apple Barrel, Delta, Bucilla, Martha Stewart Crafts, and one of the industry’s best known, Mod Podge, a favorite since 1967.
Amamos La Vida Tequila
Amamos La Vida, We Love Life! Produced by one of the most awarded tequila distilleries in Mexico, this international-award-winning tequila is being introduced to the US market in 2020.
All varieties of Amamos La Vida Tequila are created using traditional methods of manufacturing, acquiring the best agaves from the region of Tequila and the highlands and lowlands of Jalisco, and then combining the baking processes of both traditional ovens covered in stone masonry and autoclaves. The Distillery’s combined experience of 72 years means La Vida’s ultra-smooth taste will impress both new and experienced tequila drinkers.
Leaving you with only one thing to say, We Love Life!!!
Florida Firearms Academy
Tampa’s premier indoor training facility, Florida Firearms Academy offers classes for beginners to advanced shooters. With over 60 guns on the rental program, firearm sales, competitions, and unmatched customer service, FFA will be your family’s new go to gun range.