Munroe Falls, Ohio (5 November 2013) – Looking to close 2013 with a strong run in the second to last race of the season, Ruman Racing’s Amy Ruman returned to Road Atlanta over the Halloween weekend for Round 9 of the Trans Am championship. Ruman scored the fourth top-five finish of the year for the team, racing the No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette to a fourth place finish in a race that ran at a rapid pace and featured just one late-race caution period.

The weekend started off sunny and warm on Thursday’s test day, but a bit wet and dreary Friday morning. There was a delay in the schedule due to a track wall repair that allowed enough time for the rain to clear out in time for the first official Trans Am practice session on Friday with Ruman notching the fourth fastest time and then the third quickest time in Practice 2.

Ruman Racing had been hoping to carry that speed into Saturday’s qualifying session, but unfortunately a carburetor issue kept the team from showing the full potential of the No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette in the 20-minute session as Ruman took fifth on the 30-car combined class grid.

Fortunately, a 15-minute morning warm-up session ahead of the race on Sunday allowed the team to ensure the problem had been resolved for the 40-lap race event, with the No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette posting the second quickest time in the session.

Starting from fifth on the grid, Ruman moved up into the fourth position in the opening laps and had a good battle with the third place car of Cliff Ebben. Ruman ran in fourth through a long green flag run until the first and only full course caution was displayed with less than 10 laps remaining.

The field bunched back up for the final restart with two laps to go and the dash to the checkered flag was on. Ruman stayed with the lead pack of cars and brought home a solid fourth place finish and a healthy haul of championship points.

“We had a pretty good weekend overall,” said Ruman, who scored her first Trans Am victory in the 2011 Road Atlanta event. “I was hoping to run up front, and we did just that all weekend. Cliff (Ebben) and I had some battling early on, but unfortunately I couldn’t make anything stick. Tony (Ave) and Mike (Skeen) were just plain fast, and put some distance on us. We didn’t have a caution early enough to help us out, and there were not enough laps left when it finally did go back to green. Road Atlanta is a very busy, fast, and challenging track, and overall I am pleased with our solid fourth place result. A big congratulations to Doug (Peterson) and his team on winning the TA championship, they really had a great year.”

In addition to the on-track activities, Trans Am held a memorial service on Saturday for former Trans Am competitor Phil Simms, who passed away earlier this year. “It was really nice to see Donna (Simms) and some of Phil’s crew and to be able to give our condolences,” offered Ruman. “What better place to remember Phil than at the racetrack. I know he is really missed on and off the track!”

Trans Am will hold its season-finale race at Daytona International Speedway on November 17. Ruman currently sits fourth in the championship with 83 points.

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: www.gotransam.com/live-timing-and-scoring/

Looking ahead: || Round 10 – Daytona Beach International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Nov. 17)

Ruman Racing, Inc., is based in Munroe Falls, Ohio.

Munroe Falls, Ohio (30 October 2013) – With just two chances remaining in the season to capture a Trans Am victory, Amy Ruman will be back in race action this weekend as the Ruman Racing team returns to Road Atlanta, GA – the site of Amy’s breakthrough Trans Am victory in 2011.

Ruman, whose 2011 win at Road Atlanta marked the first time for a female to win in the 45-year history of the Trans Am Series, is set to pilot the No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette in the penultimate round of the Trans Am championship on Sunday.

Last year, Ruman scored a pair of third place finishes in the double race season finale weekend at Road Atlanta to close the year out second in the championship standings, just 11 points shy of winning the championship. Returning to the iconic track currently fourth in the championship tally, Ruman is hoping to spark a late-season charge with a strong race finish this weekend. The event has once again attracted a paddock-crowding entry list, 32 cars strong, certainly bringing plenty of competition to the race this weekend.

“With the successes we have had here, Road Atlanta is really a special track for me and the entire team,” said Ruman. “It’s been a tough season for us, but we keep plugging away. My Dad and my crew work nonstop to make this team successful, so hopefully I can deliver two strong race finishes at Road Atlanta and Daytona.”

In the previous round of Trans Am competition last month at Virginia International Raceway, Ruman was running in strong form setting the second fastest race lap, while running in second place on the challenging Virginia circuit. Unfortunately, the No. 23 McNichols Corvette did not make it all the way to the checkered flag after Ruman suffered a mechanical issue with the transmission.

The Road Atlanta event opens on Thursday with a track test day followed by two official practice sessions on Friday which will be held from 11:30am –12:00pm and 3:15 – 3:45pm. Trans Am qualifying will take place on Saturday at 1:00pm. Sunday will see a 15-minute morning warm up at 8:00am ahead of the 40-lap, 101.6-mile race which will go green at 1:00pm. All times listed are Eastern Standard Time.

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: www.gotransam.com/live-timing-and-scoring/

Looking ahead: || Round 10 – Daytona Beach International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Nov. 17)

Ruman Racing, Inc., is based in Munroe Falls, Ohio.

Munroe Falls, Ohio (30 September 2013) – Ruman Racing returned to Trans Am race action over the weekend for the Trans Am 100 Presented by World Information Systems at Virginia International Raceway which marked Round 8 of the 2013 Trans Am Championship.

Entering the event buoyed by the podium result from the Brainerd International Raceway event, Amy Ruman had been hoping for a return to the Trans Am podium. But despite setting the second fastest race lap and battling for the lead in the 31-lap race, Ruman Racing faced disappointment when a gearbox failure on the No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette saw the Ruman squad forced to retire early from the event.

The weekend began well for Ruman, as the team unloaded a very quick No. 23 McNichols machine during Thursday’s test day. Ruman then went on to set the second fastest time in each of the two Trans Am practice sessions on Friday held ahead of qualifying.

The positive momentum carried into Saturday’s 20-minute qualifying session in which Ruman put the No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette third on the highly competitive 30-car combined class grid with a fast lap time of 1:49.233-seconds – just .097-seconds off of the pole-setting time.

After such a strong start to the weekend, Ruman Racing targeted a return to the podium in the 101-mile race around the 3.27-mile VIR road course. Ruman opened the race from third on the grid and slotted into second on the first lap. The Ohio-driver was in the midst of a valiant battle for the lead position with Simon Gregg when a gearbox failure saw the No. 23 Corvette forced to retire just three laps into the race.

“I had a good start and I got by Doug (Peterson) going into Turn 3,” said Ruman. “Then Simon (Gregg) and I were running close. I got by him for the lead in the Oak Tree corner but got on the rumble strips and spun the tires and he got a better launch out. He caught back up to me on the back straight and passed me back. Then when I downshifted into Turn 1, something broke in the transmission. I tried to get off the track as fast as I could but had already dropped oil in the brake zone and unfortunately our day was done. It’s a shame because I definitely think I had something for Simon.”

Amy Ruman remains fourth in the Trans Am championship standings with two more rounds yet to run. The Trans Am Series will next travel to Road Atlanta for Round 9 of the championship on November 3.

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: www.gotransam.com/live-timing-and-scoring/

Looking ahead: || Round 9 – Road Atlanta, Flowery Branch, GA (Nov. 3) || Round 10 – Daytona Beach International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Nov. 17)

Ruman Racing, Inc., is based in Munroe Falls, Ohio.

For Immediate Release: September 26, 2013

Contact: Matt Cleary, Sunday Group Management
media@sundaymanagement.com
(317)908-2975

Munroe Falls, Ohio (26 September 2013) – While the famous Oak Tree might have fallen, Virginia International Raceway is still a road racing classic.

Amy Ruman is looking forward to the series’ first race appearance at the track since 2011 and the Ohio-based pilot will target a return to the Trans Am podium as she looks to make it two in a row following her third place finish with the No. 23 McNichols Company Corvette at Brainerd International Raceway earlier this month.

That weekend saw Ruman setting a track record on the new surface with the C6 Corvette, and Ruman is hoping that her first visit to VIR with the machine will also produce a new level of performance.

The Trans Am weekend is sponsored by World Information Systems and the series joins SVRA as a part of the Heacock Classic Gold Cup. With the Trans Am field continuing to show strength and depth, the Ruman Racing team will once again contest in the top TA Class, targeting an overall victory to try and boost Ruman’s championship standing. Over 30 entries are slated for Sunday’s race as the event sees Trans Am reach another new benchmark and continue to generate interest and momentum.

“We were pleased with our podium result at Brainerd and I’m aiming to get there again this weekend,” said Ruman. “There are still a lot of points to fight for and if we can have that same kind of speed at VIR that would position us well for a strong close to the season.”

While it is the slow speed Oak Tree corner that is the most iconic bend on the track, most drivers will be quick to point out that it is the high speed, flowing esses, as well as several blind turn-in points, that make the 3.27-mile lap at VIR not only so challenging, but also so rewarding.

“VIR is a very exciting track that has a little bit of everything,” said Ruman with a smile. “It’s a challenging course, but if you hit your marks right you can be really fast and smooth.”

The chance to start learning what it takes to get the most speed possible out of the No. 23 McNichols Company Corvette will open with a test day on Thursday, with four sessions scheduled for the day. A pair of practice sessions on Friday (11:35 AM-12:05 PM, 5:00 PM- 5:30 PM) precede Saturday’s morning qualifying session (11:35 AM) to set the grid. Sunday will give Ruman Racing a morning practice session for final run-through with the car, with the 101.37-mile race (31 laps), set to go green at 12:45 PM.

Users of the Race Monitor app can follow live, with www.gotransam.com also posting timing, updates, and additional information through the weekend.

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: www.gotransam.com/live-timing-and-scoring/

Looking ahead: || Round 9 – Road Atlanta, Flowery Branch, GA (Nov. 3) || Round 10 – Daytona Beach International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Nov. 17)

Ruman Racing, Inc., is based in Munroe Falls, Ohio.

Munroe Falls, Ohio (4 September 2013) – Amy Ruman had another big weekend of Trans Am competition over the Labor Day weekend as the defending race winner returned to Brainerd International Raceway for Round 7 of the 2013 Trans Am Championship.

The holiday weekend marked the 26th running of the “Muscle Car Shootout” event on the Minnesota track where Ruman proved victorious last year in the second race of the double header event. Entering the weekend fourth in the championship standings, Ruman not only wanted to bring home a new trophy, but was also focused on trying to gain as many points as she could in the championship since the season has just three race weekends to go before a champion is crowned in Daytona.

With Trans Am continuing to show increases in both field size and competitiveness, Ruman knew that she’d have to make the most of every chance she got on the 3.1-mile track if she wanted to emerge up front of the 22-car field.

The top five TA class cars were running tight times all weekend putting on a great show and Ruman slotted the No. 23 McNichols Corvettethird quickest in the combined practice sessions (1:29.713-seconds).

Qualifying also proved to be exciting, with the No. 23 coming in second with a time of 1:26.886-seconds, just fifteen-hundredths off Doug Peterson’s pole time of 1:26.851-seconds.. Unfortunately, a unintentional post qualifying technical infraction found the team with a two second penalty added on to Ruman’s time dropping her to 5th on the grid for Sunday’s start.

Race day saw much cooler temperatures then the days before making the 4:00 pm race start much more comfortable for the drivers. Ruman had a great start and made up two positions early in the race, however that gained ground was soon lost to a quick spin in the patched area of turn 4 where the newly paved track had been breaking up.

A furious charge ensued as Ruman posted the fastest race lap time of 1:28.974 seconds to not only move herself up to take third at the finish, but also setting a new Trans Am track record to boot. While she had been hoping to repeat the results from last year’s win, the weekend still provided some highlights for Ruman in her return to the track.

“That was some incredible racing and even though we were hoping to make a little bit more ground in the championship with a win, I’m still very happy to be back up on the podium,” said Ruman. “We worked hard to get a set up to work with the new surface as quickly as we could, as it was pretty slippery out there. I’m disappointed we lost ground early in the race and that there were so many caution laps again, but it was thrilling to come back through the field the way we did.”

The top four finishers crossed the line less than 1.5 seconds adrift of the winner, underscoring how competitive the race was.

“There are just three races now to go in this championship, and everyone was going for it this weekend,” said Ruman. “A big thanks to my crew and my Dad for the great setup – the car was really fast. We are all looking forward to the next race at VIR, the track is an incredible place to drive.”

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: www.gotransam.com/live-timing-and-scoring/

Ruman Racing, Inc., is based in Munroe Falls, Ohio.

Looking ahead: || Round 8 – Virginia International Raceway, Danville, VA (Sept. 29) || Round 9 – Road Atlanta, Flowery Branch, GA (Nov. 3)