September 17, 2012 (Elkhart Lake, Wis.) — By any measure, the 2012 season has been another banner year for Amy Ruman, in both Trans Am and SCCA GT-1 National competition.
The Kent, Ohio native and winner of the most recent Trans Am race is far from done with her racing “to-do list,” as she prepares to head back to Road America, Wisconsin for the 2012 Sports Car Club of America National Championship Runoffs races.
Ruman, who is proud to carry the McNichols Company name on the redNo. 23 McNichols Co./Goodyear/Cenweld Corvette, won Round 9 of the Trans Am Series at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota over Labor Day weekend and will look to return to the SCCA National Runoffs podium this week as she is set for GT-1 competition in SCCA’s biggest event of the year.
The nearly week-long event marks the 49th running of the SCCA National Championship races, which sees the best and fastest drivers from across the country meet up to determine one National Champion for their specific class. Ruman has previous experience in the big event, competing in it eight times, scoring fifth in the 2009 running and then ascending to her best finish, a podium in 2010 with a third place.
After a very busy schedule prevented her from contesting the 2011 event, Ruman is eager to get back to National competition as she brings significant momentum with her to the fabled Wisconsin track.
Ruman Racing has long been a part of the National scene as her father Bob had his own legacy of success in the GT-1 ranks, long before daughter Amy got the racing bug.
“It’s the Runoffs, and our family has been going to this event for as long as I can remember,” said Ruman, who has benefitted from her Ruman Racing crew getting a quick handle on the No. 23 Corvette after the team acquired the new machine ahead of the 2012 season. “I’m glad we are back and I’m hoping the new car is the difference for me this year. I have already scored two Trans Am wins in the new 23 this year, so I know it’s a strong car. I just need to put it all together for this race and score us a National Championship.”
Her runs so far this season in GT-1 competition are another source for optimism ahead of the National Championship, as Ruman won at Summit Point, Mid-Ohio, and Watkins Glen as she worked to qualify for the big Nationals event.
“It’s a fun challenge, going from one series to the other,” said Ruman of the Trans Am to SCCA transition. “There are some differences between the rules in Trans Am and in GT-1 so it is a bit of a different technical package. So that is something for us to adjust to a little bit, particularly with tires and set-up. But for me as a driver, I know what my job is once I get in that car, no matter what the rules are!”
Her last run at Road America was none too long ago, having raced the Trans Am event at the 4-mile track in August. Unfortunately, the weekend was far from a highlight for Ruman as she had to accept a ninth place finish after suffering contact in the race that she started from on the front row.
“I feel like I have some unfinished business here at Road America,” offered Ruman. “It’s good that we have logged some recent track time here in the new Vette, and that’s helpful. When we made the commitment to buy the new Corvette, it was a bit of a gamble because we had so much information and a really deep notebook full of set-ups for the old car. So we were kind of starting from scratch this year, but I think it has been pretty remarkable how well my father Bob and the crew have adapted to setting up this car, and that’s showed this season.”
Ruman is slated to hit the track starting Tuesday at 2:55 pm, with the first of three qualifying sessions. Wednesday’s qualifying will start at 10:20 am, with the final round at 3:35 pm. The GT-1 race is scheduled to go green at 2:35 pm on Friday afternoon, (all times listed are EST).
The 2012 SCCA National Championship Runoffs will be broadcast live on the Internet from Road America. Speedcast Productions will exclusively carry the LIVE action during race days through www.SpeedcastTV.com, as well as on demand versions of each of the 24 races with additional content after the event has concluded. Don’t forget to tune in and WATCH LIVE VIDEO coverage of Amy Ruman in the GT-1 race on Friday, September 21st at 2:35 pm EST.
For full coverage, news, entry lists, and LIVE timing and scoring of the 2012 Runoffs, visit the official SCCA National Runoffs website at: http://www.scca.com/events/index.cfm?eid=4516
Event schedule: http://scca.cdn.racersites.com/prod/assets/2012_Schedule_for_print_revised_8.27.12.pdf
Live Timing:
http://www.livetiming.net/SCCA/Runoffs/LiveTiming.asp
Event information:
http://www.scca.com/events/index.cfm?eid=4516
