Trans Am Series Adds Forgeline as Authorized Wheel Supplier
The Trans Am Series has added Forgeline as an authorized wheel supplier for Trans Am in a multi-year deal beginning in the 2022 season, the series announced.
The announcement comes just a day after Pirelli revealed its new 18-inch tire for the TA class. The new Forgeline TA3R wheel, designed, engineered and manufactured specifically for TA, will be paired with Pirelli’s recently revealed 18-inch tire to complete the updated tire package.
Over the course of the last year, the full Pirelli and Forgeline package was successfully tested on track by Pirelli and CD Racing, the series said.
“We are very excited to welcome Forgeline as a valued Trans Am partner,” said John Clagett, Trans Am Race Company president. “With the new updates, the Trans Am class cars will pick up speed, improve drivability and reduce heat to the wheel, tire and brakes. Once the cars have been tuned to the new tire, the class will become the fastest GT class in the world, while continuing to have the least amount of driver aids.”
Teams can further personalize the new Forgeline wheel with custom powder coating in any combination of team-specified colors, the company said.
Forgeline will also offer wheels for the Production classes (XtremeGT, SuperGT, GT), according to the series.
“Manufacturing wheels for the next generation of Trans Am racing is literally the realization of our childhood dreams,” said Forgeline founder and Global Sales Manager Steve Schardt. “Dave Schardt (Forgeline president) and I have always been racing fans, and we grew up watching Trans Am racing in the 1980s and 1990s. We couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity to help Trans Am competitors move their performance threshold to the next level.”
The TA3R wheel is a three piece wheel comprised of a wheel center that is precision-machined from a 6061-T6 aerospace forging mated to modular 6061-T6 spun aluminum outer barrels and assembled with high-tech titanium fasteners, the company said.
