January 21, 2005 – Contact: Amy Ruman 330.813.2323 cell

Munroe Falls, OH – Ruman Racing headed to Florida to compete in the GT-1 winter nationals at Sebring and Moroso. Piloting the McNichols/Cenweld Corvette for the first time in her career was Niki Ruman. Niki took the reins from sister Amy who has been driving the Corvette in GT-1 for the past two years.

At Sebring, Ruman qualified 2nd in the GT-1 field with a time of 2.08.124 on the 4 mile long racetrack, with a top speed of over 165 mph. Peter Mohrhauser qualified on the pole with a 2.07.285 but was unable to make the race due to an engine problem. Floyd followed with a 2.11.94, Freda with a 2.12.73, and Canney with a 2.13.788.

Niki Ruman was on the pole when the green flag fell. Floyd passed Ruman into turn one on the start. Ruman passed Floyd back coming out of turn five, the safetypin, and sprinted out to a five second lead on the first lap. By lap 3, Ruman had an eight second lead on the field. Floyd, Freda, and Canney raced each other for second, third, and fourth. Ruman led flag to flag taking the win with nearly a 25 second lead on second place.

“Racing the McNichols/Cenweld Corvette was a dream come true and exceeded my expectations,” said an exhilarated Ruman. “I had several goals for the weekend: to learn the car, put down some good times, and work the traffic. After a few practice sessions, I felt very confident in the Corvette. The crew gave me a car that handled perfectly for the race. After I passed Floyd, I just settled into a rhythm and was thrilled to pull out to a substantial lead. The fact that we had so many fans cheering for us, including my thirteen month old daughter Katie O, also made the win all the more special.”

It was truly a great event for the team. In attendance for Niki’s debut was one of Ruman Racing’s major sponsors. Representatives from McNichols Co., Scott McNichols-Vice President and General Manager, Steven McNichols-Vice President of Advanced Technologies, and Phyllis McNichols-Co-Founder of McNichols Co.; all traveled to Sebring for the race.

McNichols Co. is based out of Tampa, Florida, with top steel service centers strategically located across the country. The product selection at McNichols Company is one of the most diverse in the industry. McNichols stocks Perforated Products (both metal and plastic), Bar Grating, Wire Cloth, GRIP STRUT, Expanded Metal, Fiberglass Gratings/Floorings, Perf-O Grip, Traction Tread, GRATE-LOCK, Handrail Components/Fittings, DIAMONDBACK, Stair Treads, Floorings, Ladder Rungs, ADA (American Disabilities Association) Products, and much more. Regardless of your application-they have the products to meet your needs. McNichols is committed to customer satisfaction in every phase of the business relationship-Service, Quality, and Performance. For more product information, please visit www.mcnichols.com on the web.

www.rumanracing.com

December 09, 2004 – Contact: Amy Ruman 330.813.2323 cell

Munroe Falls, OH – Television coverage of the GT-1 SCCA National Championship 2004 SCCA Kohler Runoffs at Mid-Ohio is set to air this weekend on SPEED channel. The race will premier on Saturday, December 11 at 3:00pm ET and will be re-aired on Wednesday, December 15th at 4:00 am ET.

Amy Ruman secured a starting position of 6th for the McNichols/Cenweld Corvette in the 22 car GT-1 field. She finished in 9th in the September 26 race, after a header exhaust pipe broke causing exhaust to pour into the cockpit of the car and making it very difficult for Ruman to breathe.

Ruman and her sponsors, McNichols Co., Cenweld Corp. and Goodyear were still very happy with her second consecutive top-10 finish. Ruman also finished 2nd in the 2004 Northeast Division GT-1 points race.

SPEED Channel will carry all of the 2004 Runoffs coverage. For a complete listing of broadcast dates and times, visit http://www.speedtv.com/programs/142/ or http://www.scca.com/News/News.asp?Ref=200.

www.rumanracing.com
www.McNichols.com

September 27, 2004 – Munroe Falls, OH – The SCCA Runoffs are always challenging for every competitor that attends. The competition is fierce and both car and driver need to be at the top of their game at all times. Amy Ruman battled a few car problems during the qualifying runs this past week, and came down with a sinus infection on Thursday, which she battled throughout the rest of the weekend. She secured a starting position of 6th for the McNichols/Cenweld Corvette in the 22 car field. But the race did not go according to Ruman’s plan as a small brush between competitors led to bigger complications.

By the time Ruman reached the front straight on lap one, she heard part of the header break off causing the exhaust to pour into the cockpit of the car and the sound level became very, very loud.

“It was terrible. When that header broke it was like a heat wave of exhaust fumes, I could barely breathe. There was no air movement in the cockpit of the car so I flipped on the defrost blowers to try to get some air moving around. When the header broke apart the engine immediately lost significant horsepower, so I would often be fast in the corners, but at loss for power in the straightaways. At first it wasn’t too bad and I tried to concentrate on passing Mohrhauser. We eventually got tangled up and dropped back a position each. Toward the end of the race it was all I could do to drive around, I was getting asphyxiated. I was just glad I was able to maintain 9th and finish the race. After the checkered, I pulled into the pits and couldn’t even get myself out of the car. Medical gave me oxygen and pumped an IV into me because I was so sick from those fumes,” exclaimed Ruman.

“It was such an unfortunate circumstance, because the car was the best it had been all week and I was hooked up right away. I really think if I had had my normal horsepower-and had my wits about me-I could have moved up in the pack. I really feel bad for my team; we worked hard for a podium finish! At least we still finished in the top ten. I want to thank my sponsors McNichols Co., Cenweld Corp. and Goodyear for this great 2004 season, I am already looking forward to next year!”

Television coverage of the entire 2004 SCCA Kohler Runoffs will be aired on SPEED Channel. All races will be tape delayed with coverage starting November 20. The GT-1 race is scheduled to air Saturday, December 11 at 3:00pm EDT. For more schedule information, visit www.speedtv.com or www.scca.com

McNichols Co. is a national distributor of steel products, founded in Cleveland, with service centers around the country. Cenweld Corp. is a well-established manufacturer and distributor of truck bodies and equipment throughout Ohio and is based in Cuyahoga Falls.

www.rumanracing.com
www.McNichols.com

September 20, 2004 – Munroe Falls, OH – The Ruman Racing team wrapped up its regular season with two 2nd place finishes by Amy Ruman on August 21 & 22 at the double national race at Pocono, PA. This locked up a solid 2nd place for Ruman in the Northeast Division points standings for the 2004 season. In ten races, Ruman had seven top five finishes and nine top ten finishes, which included one win and six 2nd places.

Ruman is headed to the famous SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the week of September 20-26. The SCCA Runoffs bring together the top national drivers from across the country to compete for the title of National Champion in their respective car classes. Only those who place in the top-10 in their Division points standings are eligible to compete. Ruman Racing will field the familiar #23 McNichols/Cenweld Chevrolet Corvette in Ruman’s second time at the Runoffs. Last year, Ruman finished 5th in her first ever Runoffs event. This year’s GT-1 race will be Sunday, September 26 at 1:30pm.

“I can’t wait to get this race underway! I feel I am a much-improved driver this year. With continued hard work and the efforts of my excellent team, I believe I have a good chance to secure a spot on the podium and that is our aim,” stated Ruman. “My crew has combed over the car making sure everything checks out, and my crew chief/data man Bob, who happens to be my Dad, has studied our data and has really been working on a killer set-up for me. The field will be tough again, but I am up for the challenge!”

For full coverage, news, and LIVE timing & scoring updates throughout the week, visit the official SCCA Kohler Runoffs website at:
http://www.scca.com/Event/Event.asp?IdS=000484-125AF70&Ref=04Runoffs

Television coverage of the entire 2004 SCCA Kohler Runoffs will be aired on SPEED Channel. All races will be tape delayed with coverage starting November 20. The GT-1 race is scheduled to air Saturday, December 11 at 3:00pm EDT. For more schedule information, visit www.speedtv.com or www.scca.com

www.rumanracing.com
www.McNichols.com

August 16, 2004 – Munroe Falls, OH – The Ruman Racing team had a slightly tough weekend at Mid-Ohio. Amy Ruman tried to grab a win to help her regain the lead in the NE division points battle as well as get some good practice in for the upcoming Runoffs in September. Despite Ruman’s efforts the win was elusive and 2nd place slipped away.

Ruman qualified 4th on the grid, after having an altercation with a T-1 Corvette in the second qualifying round on Saturday. She had a great start and got by Trevor Hopwood for 3rd. The trio of Ruman, Phil Lasco, and Hopwood battled closely for third, fourth, and fifth. But Ruman held the 3rd place position and gained ground on 2nd place driver Bret Moyer. Ruman passed Moyer for 2nd going into turn one and steadily closed the gap to about 2 seconds on race leader Tom Sloe. With about 6 laps to go, Ruman messed up a downshift and headed into the grass near the keyhole. She was able to continue but had to pit to clear the grill. She gained a spot in the final laps to finish 6th.

“Wow, another heartbreaker for me. It was a great race with Lasco and Hopwood. Those guys were really putting on the pressure. When I gathered up 2nd from Moyer I thought I might have a shot at the win. Unfortunately, I made a driver error and went off. If I wouldn’t have had to pit, I might have caught the pack again, but it was too late in the race. I felt really bad for the guys on my team, they put the car back together for me after the T-1 incident in qualifying. This one just got away from me,” exclaimed Ruman.

Ruman will be heading to the double National at Pocono this weekend to wrap up her season before the National Runoffs in September. The tight points race in the GT-1 Northeast Division could change between Busch, Ruman, and Thummel after the finial two races at Pocono. Ruman hopes to move ahead for 1st but at least hold on to 2nd.

On Deck: Amy Ruman in GT-1 and Niki Ruman in SRF at the August 20-21 SCCA Double National at Pocono International Raceway, PA