2022 Trans Am Series Spotter's Guide: How to Tell the Classes Apart

The Trans Am series has been around for more than 50 years, but without a live television package like most of the bigger series (races are tape-delayed on CBS), it isn’t as well-known as NASCAR or IMSA.

That doesn’t mean the racing isn’t as good, because it is.

Trans Am has five classes. Two of them are better known than the others. Here’s a quick look at the series for 2022:

TA Class

These are the traditional fire-breathing, noise-making hot rods that most people think of when the name Trans Am comes up in the conversation. Like the traditional V-8-powered, tube-framed cars of the past, the TA class is a much updated, more sophisticated vehicle than its predecessors, and with 850 horsepower, they definitely make all the right sounds. Engines, like those in NASCAR Cup cars, are 358 cubic inches, using a carburetor instead of fuel injection. Top speed is about 190 mph. Traction control and ABS are prohibited, leaving those details in the drivers’ hands. For 2022, you'll find Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Viper and even a Porsche 991.1 in the field.

TA2 Class

The TA2 has outgrown the TA class in recent years, mostly because the rules even out the Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros and Dodge Challengers – yes, it’s true pony-car competition. Engines are V-8s, horsepower is just under 500, allowing engines to run a whole season without a rebuild. Cost containment is key – prices of components like wheels, shock absorbers and brakes are set by Trans Am. The bodies look stock but are actually aftermarket, as is the common rear wing. How successful is TA2? At the last event, at Sebring International Raceway, there were 48 cars in the feature race.

XGT, SGT and GT

These three classes are small enough to be dovetailed into the TA class races. XGT are former GT3-class cars from other series; SGT and GT classes are liberal in their eligibility and include cars from production-based series both professional and at the club level. SGT is the largest of the three classes, and can include the Dodge Viper and Porsche 911. At the season-opening race in Sebring, there were just five cars in the SGT field, two in the GT field, and zero in the XGT class.

2022 Trans Am National Schedule

• Feb. 24-27: Sebring International Raceway (with SpeedTour)

• March 17-20: Charlotte Motor Speedway (with SpeedTour)

• March 24-27: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (with SpeedTour)

• April 22-24: Weathertech Laguna Seca (with SpeedTour)

• April 30-May 1: Sonoma Raceway (with SpeedTour)

• May 27-30: Lime Rock Park (with SpeedTour)

• June 23-26: Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course (with SpeedTour)

• July 1-3: Road America (with NASCAR)

• Aug. 6-7: Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, Nashville (TA2 only with IndyCar)

• Sept. 9-11: Watkins Glen International (with SpeedTour)

• Oct. 6-9: Virginia International Raceway (with SpeedTour)

• Nov. 4-6: Circuit of the Americas COTA (with SpeedTour)