For Immediate Release:
Contact: Matt Cleary, Sunday Group Management
media@sundaymanagement.com
(317) 908-2975 – Mobile
Munroe Falls, Ohio (28 Februray 2013) – For generations, the snow and cold weather of late winter have inspired thousands to make the trek south to Florida for a little bit of sun and relaxation.
But for 2012 Trans Am Championship runner up Amy Ruman, there is an entirely different motivation as she prepares to head South to Sebring, Florida this weekend.
Trans Am will stage Round 1 of the 2013 championship at the historic Sebring International Raceway as the series makes a return to the same track that played host to the first-ever Trans Am event in 1966. Ruman, who became the first woman to win a Trans Am race in 2011, scored two wins and seven podiums in 2012, and closed the season just 11 points shy of the championship crown, is looking forward to getting a strong start to 2013 with a big result at the famed facility.
The 2013 championship sees an expanded schedule with Trans Am traveling to 11 different race venues. The season-opener at Sebring International Raceway is a new addition to the schedule and Ruman is eager to get the season going at the 3.7-mile Florida road course as the event is set to have the largest field in a decade.
“I am really excited about the Trans Am schedule for 2013–getting to race at Sebring and Daytona in the same season is a great opportunity, and with the momentum that the series has, I know that the competition will be even stronger,” said Ruman. “I haven’t raced at Sebring for a couple of years, so I am really looking forward to running here again!”
Ruman will once again pilot the No. 23 McNichols Co./Goodyear Corvette with Bob Ruman overseeing the preparation and race engineering for the effort. The team made significant gains in 2012 and will look to continue those efforts in 2013.
“It was a big change for us last season to move to the new Corvette, but we’ve got a good feel for the car now and the biggest thing will be to consistently come home with points, every weekend,” said Ruman. “I am excited to get down to Sebring and get the racing season started–you always get anxious to get back to competition during the winter so this weekend can’t come fast enough!”
Adding to the anticipation for the event is the renewed partnership between Ruman Racing and the McNichols Company (http://www.mcnichols.com/viewer.htm).
“We are proud to ink another year of sponsorship with Amy and the Ruman team,” commented Scott McNichols, President of McNichols Co. “We are confident in 2013, the No. 23 will be out in front vying again for the championship!”
The Industrial and Architectural Hole Product Solutions company is the long time prominent sponsor of the Ruman Racing effort. Ruman will also see some “on the ground support” this weekend as some members of the McNichols Hole Team will be on site at the Sebring event to take in the opening round of the 2013 season.
Trans Am will take to the track for practice on Friday, March 1 at 10:05 AM (ET) followed by another practice at 2:55 PM (ET). Official qualifying will take place Saturday, March 2 at 11:10 AM (ET) with the race set to go green at 2:30 PM (ET) on Sunday.
Sponsors: McNICHOLS Nationwide Service Centers is the nation’s largest distributor of Perforated and Expanded Metals; Wire Mesh; Bar, Plank, and Safety Gratings; Stair Treads; Matting; and more. Products are carried in all styles and materials–stocked for 24 hour shipment. “Inspired to Serve”™ 800.237.3820 mcnichols.com. Goodyear Tire & Rubber is a Ruman Racing sponsor as well as the Series sponsor.
For quick news and updates during race weekends, please follow Ruman Racing and the Trans-Am Series on Twitter @rumanracing and @gotransam. Be sure to “Like” our official pages on Facebook: Ruman Racing, Amy Ruman (Official Fan Page), McNichols Company, and Go Trans Am.
Race Info/Scoring/Results: www.gotransam.com
Live Timing/Twitter Feed: www.gotransam.com/live-timing-and-scoring/
Looking ahead: Round 2 – Canadian Tire Motorsports Park-Bowmanville, Ontario || Round 3 – Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Connecticut
Ruman Racing, Inc., is based in Munroe Falls, Ohio.
