TRANS AM: Ribbs, Unsers form new team

Two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr., Trans-Am legend Willy T. Ribbs and former Indy Racing League standout Robby Unser have formed the "Unser Ribbs Unser Racing Team" to participate in next year's Trans Am championship.

The trio, who became fast friends while competing at the SVRA vintage racing event held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (pictured above), made the decision while touring to promote the Brickyard Invitational arranged by series CEO Tony Parella.

"It started a few years ago with the three of us doing radio and TV appearances and got to kicking the idea around," Ribbs (pictured, right, with Robby Unser) told RACER. After Parella purchased a stake in the Trans Am series in August, the decision to unite under the URU banner was made.

"We called Tony and said that now he's going to be the Bernie Ecclestone of Trans-Am, we wanted to join in," Ribbs continued. "This has a lot to do with Tony buying into the series; we know his ambitions and with his acquiring a stake in the series, we're confident in where he'll take the series and want to be a part of it."

Current plans for URU involve ordering cars in waves.

"We are definitely going to run for the championship, so Al's going to get the first car and then me and then Robby," said Ribbs, who starred in Trans Am in the 1980s driving cars entered by the likes of Dan Gurney and Jack Roush (pictured below, Marshall Pruett archive). "Al's going to go for the championship and then the rest of us will come in a little later."

With all three owners near or over the age of 50, Ribbs laughed as he confirmed, "We're old, but we won't be putting AARP or Cialis or Viagra on the side of the car..."

Sponsorships aside, Ribbs says Trans Am's newest team is looking forward to racing against the defending two-time series champion.

"We spoke with Amy Ruman, the champion, and she knows we're coming," he added. "Boy, is she tough, and that's the kind of competitor we want to go up against. She told me, 'You better bring your man pills!' and I know she wasn't kidding. This is going to be great fun and serious work."