Trans Am set to add to Brainerd heritage

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emailBy Trans Am | July 9, 2020 10:34 AM

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli returns to Brainerd International Raceway while honoring a key player from the circuit in the Ryan Companies US presents the Jed Copham Tribute Weekend on July 10-12.

This will be Trans Am’s 29th visit to the road course and drag racing facility that opened in 1968, and first race since 2017.

Copham purchased the complex in 2006. A hands-on owner, he made improvements to both the facility and the racing program. Copham was instrumental in the return of Trans Am to the circuit in 2010. The series headlined the circuit’s road racing through 2017, running two races in both 2011 and 2012.

Copham began racing in high school as a reward from his father, Dave Copham, for making good grades. Jed began drag racing at Brainerd with a 1931 Ford Model A, and soon moved to road racing. He ran in three Trans Ams at his own course. He started sixth and finished fifth in 2013, driving Jim Derhaag’s Corvette. He ran an Archer Camaro in 2014, placing 11th in TA2. He ran his own Corvette in 2016, starting eighth and finishing 11th. Jed towed his Corvette to Daytona for the 2017 TA finale. He was 10th in final practice but was eliminated from the event due to crashing late in the session. Jed lost his life in a swimming accident while vacationing in Florida in late 2018 at the age of 46.

“Jed was a true racing enthusiast whether model car, motorcycle, snowmobile, Formula Enterprise, Radical, TA or the 1931 Ford Model A Street Rod. But much more than that, because of his mechanical inclination and ability, he was always available to assist others, whether competitors or teammates,” said Dave Copham. “It wouldn’t matter, Jed was always available, often putting everyone at BIR ahead of his own needs. He is truly missed. His mom Cheryl and I along with his family, Kristi, Alyssa and Ayden and his sister Kristen Mae and fiancé Robert ask you to join us in pausing this weekend to remember what a great friend and leader he was. He is in our hearts forever.”

Originally known as the Donnebrooke Road Course, the very wide 10-turn, 3.1-mile circuit first hosted Trans Am at the height of its “golden years.” Parnelli Jones won the opener in 1969 in Bud Moore’s Mustang. Privateer Milt Minter scored a major upset in 1970, winning in a Camaro, while Roger Penske Javelins won in 1971 (Mark Donohue) and 1972 (George Follmer). After a two-year break, Trans Am returned to the rechristened Brainerd International Raceway in 1975, with Peter Gregg, Bob Tullius and Jerry Hansen among the winners over the next four years.

The circuit hosted Trans Am throughout the 1980s. Paul Newman scored his first professional triumph in 1982, winning from the pole and leading every lap in Bob Sharp’s Datsun 280ZX. Willy T. Ribbs won the following three years for Neil DeAtley and Jack Roush. Other winners included Greg Pickett (1986), Elliott Forbes-Robinson (1987) and Hans Stuck (198. Irv Hoerr drove his Oldsmobile to victory in 1989, in what proved to be the final Trans Am at Brainerd for 21 seasons.

Copham returned Trans Am to his refurbished 2.5-mile, 13-turn layout in 2010. Tony Ave won the event, following up with victories in both 2011 races and the 2012 opener.

“I won four in a row there – to tie the record held by Mark Donohue and Darin Brassfield – and I was leading the fifth one but got a flat tire,” Ave recalled. “That was a heartbreaker. I’m glad the series is going back because the track likes us, and we were starting to get a pretty good following. I also grew up not too far from there, so it’s one of my favorite places. In the old days, we had a very long straightaway. Nowadays, we still have a wide-open Turn 1 and almost wide-open Turn 2. That’s pretty exciting to do from a driver’s standpoint, and frankly, there’s some good passing places there. It’s a very tough place for a 100-mile race, so it’s definitely fun and great to be going back.”

Amy Ruman went on to win the second race in 2012, and also triumphed in 2015. Doug Peterson won in both 2013 and 2014, while Cameron Lawrence won the TA2 race in 2013 and scored his lone TA victory in 2017, the most recent race at the circuit.

“As the defending TA race winner at Brainerd, I’m hopeful this will give us the momentum we need to return to the top step of the podium,” said Lawrence. “Mid-Ohio didn’t play in our favor but the team is working hard to prepare for Brainerd. I’m very excited to get back behind the wheel of the No. 8 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang.”

Following a full day of testing on Friday, July 10, practice and qualifying will be held on Saturday. Highlighting the Sunday schedule are a 100-mile TA2 Powered by AEM race at 11:15 a.m. followed by a 100-mile race for TA, XGT, SGT and GT competitors starting at 1:35 p.m. (all times CT). Spectators are welcome and admission will be free.

By downloading the app, fans can access Trans Am content. Fans can watch the live stream of the races, follow their favorite drivers through the field by switching from six different camera angles, access live timing and scoring, keep up with the latest news and download the event program all from the Trans Am by Pirelli Racing

 

Trans Am returns to Brainerd on Jed Copham Tribute weekend

Image via Trans Am
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emailBy Trans Am | July 7, 2020 1:28 PM

After a three-year hiatus, the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli will return to Brainerd International Raceway on July 10-12, a weekend celebrating the life of the track’s late owner Jed Copham.

Ryan Companies US, Inc., has signed on to the event and will be partnering Dave and Cheryl Copham in providing live stream coverage for Sunday’s doubleheader on the Trans Am by Pirelli Racing App (download HERE).

This will mark the fourth year of the firm playing a pivotal role in bringing the iconic Trans Am Series to one of its legacy race circuits.

“We are happy and honored to be able to sponsor The Ryan Companies Jed Copham Tribute Weekend in Brainerd this week,” said Ryan Companies US Chairman Emeritus of the Board Tim Gray. “Trans Am has a great tradition at this track and Ryan is pleased to be part of it while we celebrate the legacy of Jed’s work at the Brainerd International Speedway.”

More Trans Am!

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Trans Am champions in review: Billy Griffin, GT National Champion

To show its appreciation to its long-time supporting fans, the weekend will be free to spectators.

BIR is taking a nostalgic drive-in-style approach, celebrating its long history of road racing with Trans Am by encouraging fans to drive up next to the safety fence to watch and tailgate from their cars. A limited number of camping spots will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free WiFi will be offered to fans to access the live stream on the Trans Am by Pirelli Racing App and full PA commentary will air over the track’s radio station 87.9 FM.

“We’re really excited about the weekend because it’s hard to watch road racing on a 2.5-mile road course,” BIR owner Kristi Copham said. “But watching with the help of this app is really going to be a game changer. Fans can watch all the action on every section of track, which will keep everyone involved in the race.

“The race itself is going to be a great part of the weekend, but we’re also looking forward to using this opportunity to thank our fans, the Brainerd Lakes Area and the racing community for all their support — especially during these difficult times.”

Jed Copham purchased the complex in 2006. A hands-on owner, he made improvements to both the facility and the racing program, and was instrumental in the Trans Am series return in 2010. The series headlined the circuit’s road racing through 2017, running two races in both 2011 and 2012.

Jed lost his life at the age of 46 in a swimming accident while vacationing in Florida in late 2018. His widow Kristi now operates the facility.



“Dave and I are excited and honored to have a Trans Am race back here at Brainerd,” said Jed’s mom, Cheryl Copham. “It was a series our son loved – not only to watch, but to participate in. I’m sure the fans will find it enjoyable and exciting on the safe and beautiful 2.5-mile road course that Jed helped to develop. I know that he will be here in spirit…watching every turn.”

Teams and drivers will be rewarded for making the pilgrimage north to the 2.5-mile, 13-turn road course with $20,000 in tow funds and driver bonuses from BIR.

“We are really excited to return to Brainerd, and with free entry to the event, we expect to hear lots of fans honking in celebration from their cars,” said Trans Am Race Company President John Clagett. “The Copham family has been so welcoming and supportive of Trans Am’s return. They have rolled out the red carpet for our drivers and teams. While we will miss Jed’s presence, we are humbled to be able to celebrate his life the only way we know how, with the thundering roar of Trans Am racing.”