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The Trans-Am series is the longest running racing series in the United States of America, its first race run on March 25 1966. The Sports Car Club of America ( SCCA) is the sanctioning body for the series and holds the rights to the "Trans-Am" name. The series is currently operated by the Champ Car World Series and runs the majority of its races in support of the parent open-wheel championship.
At first, the Trans-Am vehicles were primarily modified versions of the road-going car. The competition was divided into two classes- an "Under 2 Liter" class (predominantly small European sedans) and the "Over 2 Liter" class (limited to 5 liters displacement).
The first race was in 1966 at Sebring Raceway. The overall win went to Jochen Rindt driving an Alfa-Romeo (an Under 2 Liter entry), with Bob Tullius (driving a Dodge Dart) taking second overall, but first in the Over 2 Liter class. This race was marred by tragedy: driver Bob McLean is killed in one accident and an incident between Mario AndrettiMario Gabriele Andretti (born February 28, 1940) is an American racing driver, arguably the most successful US citizen in auto racing. During his career, he has won four Champcar titles, and the 1978 Formula One World Championship. He was born in the Ital and Don Wester resulted in the death of four spectators.
The early years were largely dominated by Mark Donohue , who would chalk up 20 victories between 1967Events January January 4 British motorboat racer Donald Campbell dies while attempting a water speed record in Coniston Lake. January 4 Algerian revolutionary Mohammed Khider is shot in Madrid. January 6 Vietnam War: USMC and ARVN troops launch " Operatio and 1970Events January events January 1 Construction begins on Arcosanti, by Paolo Soleri, in Mayer, Arizona, located 65, miles north of Phoenix, Arizona. January 1 Unix epoch at 00:00:00 UTC. January 12 Biafra capitulates, ending the Nigerian civil war. January and three drivers's championships, the third achieved in 19711971 is a common year starting on Friday (click for link to calendar). Events January January 1 British divorce Reform Act comes into force January 2 66 die in stairway crush at Rangers v Celtic football match, Glasgow, Scotland. See Ibrox disaster. Janua.
In 1969For other uses, see Number 1969. For the movie, see 1969 (movie). Events January January 1 Australian media baron Rupert Murdoch purchases the largest selling British Sunday newspaper The News Of The World January 5 The Derry Riots leave over 100 people i the "Under 2 Liter" class is split off into the Two-Five Challenge , with Trans-Am becoming a single class competition. Rules evolved over the years, incorporating FIA touring and grand-touring classes as well as SCCA Club Racing classes. The different classes had restrictions placed on the allowed modifications in an effort to equalize competition between the different cars. In 1976, Trans-Am returns to the two category format, classifying FIA Group 4 and 5 cars as "Category II".