August 09, 2004 – Elkhart Lake, WI – Bob Ruman brought home 9th place in the crowded field at Road America on Saturday driving the McNichols/Cenweld Corvette. Ruman, who finished 5th at Trois-Rivieres the previous weekend, is now 10th moving up from 13th in the Trans-Am Series points standings.

The McNichols/Cenweld Corvette qualified 12th for the race, but had to start the race from 19th position. Ruman chose to replace three qualifying tires that he had flat-spotted during the qualifying session. The team made a wise decision, and Ruman sliced through the field.

“My crew has been really on this year, and they deserve all the credit. They did a great job in turning around the car in a short period of time, and I was able to come from the back of the pack and secure 9th place,” said Ruman.

“Toward the end of the race, I must have picked up some debris because I felt the right front tire start to go down. The last few laps of the race were under yellow, caution flags slowed the pace and the tire lost the tread during the last lap. I limped it around on the rim, and made it to the checkered! The McNichols/Cenweld Corvette really felt good for the whole race, it just handled better and better.”

Television – Spike TV – Race Highlights ‘Dangerous Curves’ – August 15, 1:30 pm EST

On Deck – Amy Ruman at Mid-Ohio SCCA GT-1 National, August 14-15

August 05, 2004 – Munroe Falls, OH – Bob Ruman will be at the legendary Road America this Saturday, fresh off his 5th place finish at Trois-Rivieres last weekend. The Ruman Racing team landed home Monday in time to turn the car around for the upcoming weekend at Road America.

“My crew has been working diligently this week to get the car race ready and set-up for the next round. The McNichols/Cenweld Corvette had a fantastic set-up at Trois-Rivieres last weekend and we’re going for the same this weekend at Road America,” said Ruman.

“I really like this venue, it’s a fast, long course and challenging. We’ve done well here, particularly the last few years running in the top-8, although the final results don’t show it,” exclaimed Ruman. In each of the last few years, Ruman was unfortunately involved in contact made by other competitors taking him out in the final moments in each of the races.

This will be Ruman’s fourth Trans-Am race of the season, and he as moved into 13th in the point’s race while only running a partial season.

Television –
HDNet – Race LIVE – August 7, 5:45 pm EST
Spike TV – Race Highlights ‘Dangerous Curves’ – August 15, 1:30 pm EST

On Deck – Amy Ruman at Mid-Ohio SCCA GT-1 National, August 14-15

August 04, 2004 – Trois Rivieres, Quebec – Bob Ruman had an excellent run at the thirty-fifth running of le Trois-Rivieres Grand Prix. Ruman, in the McNichols/Cenweld Corvette, started 7th based on his practice efforts on Friday as Saturday’s qualifying session was rained out.

On lap one of Sunday’s race, Ruman was hit going into the first turn, knocking him from 7th to 10th. He quickly regrouped and began knocking off competitors. He moved his way up to 5th by the checkered flag. Ruman now has two fourths, a fifth, and a ninth place finish in his last four appearances at Trois Rivieres.

“This was definitely a FUN race,” exclaimed Ruman. “This track is always a lot of work, shifting, turning, shifting, turning. The track takes constant attention and the McNichols/Cenweld Corvette was up to it. The only thing slightly off was my drink bottle! My water bottle mechanism quit working early in the race adding to the challenge on this very hot day.”

“As we expected, the Quebec race fans were supportive both on and off the track. We love to visit here and look forward to next year. We are thrilled with our top-five finish.”

Television – Highlights of the race will run tape delayed on Spike TV’s “Dangerous Curves” Sunday, Aug. 8 at 1:30 p.m. (EDT/PDT).

On Deck – Bob Ruman at Road America Trans-Am, August 5-8

July 29, 2004 – Munroe Falls, OH – Bob Ruman will compete at le Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres with the Trans-Am Series this weekend. Ruman has had two fourth place finishes and a ninth place finish in the last three races Trans-Am has run at Trois-Rivieres in 1999, 2002, and 2003 respectively. Le Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres is North America’s oldest temporary street race and is a 1.5 mile, 10 turn course. The race will be Sunday, August 1 at 3:45.

“Trois-Rivieres is always at the top of my list of favorite cities and racing venues,” said Ruman. “The fans in Quebec are welcoming and enthusiastic, and they know racing. We’ve had many successes here and we are looking forward to scoring another success this year. The McNichols/Cenweld Corvette, the team, and I are ready and eager to have an exciting race at Trois-Rivieres. ”

On Deck – Bob Ruman at Road America Trans-Am, August 5-8

Sponsors

McNichols Co., founded in 1952 and headquartered in Tampa, FL, is a distributor of “Hole” products with service centers across North America. McNichols’ product selection is the most diverse in the industry and it continues to grow. McNichols stocks Perforated products (both metal and plastic), Bar Grating, Wire Cloth, Grip Strut, Expanded Metal, Fiberglass Gratings/Floorings, Open Grip, Tread Grip, Grate Lock, Handrail Components/Fitting, Diamondback, Stair Treads, Floorings, Ladder Rungs, ADA (American Disabilities Association) Products, and much more. McNichols is committed to customer satisfaction in every phase of the business relationship-Service, Quality, and Performance. A toll free number (800.237.3820) connects you to the McNichols Co. distributor in your area and the company has an extensive website at www.mcnichols.com which includes online customer service and online ordering.

Cenweld Corporation is a nationally recognized, final stage manufacturer of motor trucks for commercial, utility and municipal applications. Cenweld specializes in custom truck body systems, including utility, platform, stake, van, dump, mechanic/crane, water tankers, and hook lift bodies. They also install and equip trucks with central hydraulics and modular electronic systems, snow plows/hitches, and salt/cinder spreaders. Other equipment and products include: lift-gates, generators, air compressors, tool boxes, lights and beacons.

www.rumanracing.com

July 13, 2004 – Munroe Falls, OH – The Ruman Racing team was trying to add another win to their win column this past weekend at the SCCA Watkins Glen National. But, despite a 2nd place qualifying run, and leading the race for 3 laps, Amy Ruman’s efforts fell short. She lost the motor on the 4th lap of the 14-lap race. Ruman was bouncing back with a sore ankle from her crash at the BeverRun National three weeks ago.

Ruman and pole sitter, Jack Busch, were duking it out on the first lap, when Ruman passed him for the lead. By the third lap of the race, Ruman had a substantial lead on the field. But just past the start/finish line on the fourth lap the motor let go, filling the cockpit with a ton of smoke that blocked Ruman’s vision. She was able to safely pull off line and into the grass at turn one.

“I was just sick when that motor went. We had an awesome car in qualifying and an even better one in the race. Once I got by Jack on the first lap, I was able to put some distance on him by the second lap. He looked like he had some push in the car, but I had none – we were hooked up. The motor was the last thing I was worried about since it had been strong all weekend; I was more worried about my ankle holding up for the whole race,” exclaimed Ruman.

“I was so disappointed for Amy and the team,” stated owner and crew chief Bob Ruman. “She was running a great race and maintaining a good lead. We made some last minute setup changes for the race, and they were obviously in the right direction.”

This makes for a tight points race between Ruman and Busch. Ruman was leading the GT-1 Northeast Division with 48 points going into the Watkins Glen race, but they are tied after this weekend with 48 points.

On Deck: Amy Ruman at the August 14-15: SCCA National at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Ohio

www.rumanracing.com