For Immediate Release: May 28, 2013
Contact: Matt Cleary, Sunday Group Management
media@sundaymanagement.com
(317) 908-2975-Mobile

Lakeville, Conn. (28 May 2013) – After a short and work-filled week, Ruman Racing returned to Lime Rock Park over the Memorial Day weekend for Round 3 of the Trans Am championship. The Ohio-based team arrived in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut with their back up car following a late race crash just days earlier in Round 2 that saw theNo. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette driven by Amy Ruman suffer severe damage.

The team worked relentlessly during the week to be back on track at Lime Rock and despite only having days to prepare their older Corvette machine for Lime Rock Park, showed strong pace straight away with Ruman running among the top-five in mixed weather conditions all weekend long.

The unfavorable weather conditions factored through most of the traditional Memorial Day weekend event. Rain washed out Friday’s qualifying session, with the grid order set by championship point position. The race opened under rainy conditions once again with Ruman starting the 100.5-mile race from outside the second row.

Making her second Trans Am start at the quick 1.5-mile Connecticut circuit, Ruman ran among the top-five throughout the opening stages of the race, moving up to run as high as third.

Unfortunately, a quick spin on the tricky bullring circuit saw the No. 23 McNichols machine make slight contact with the guardrail. Ruman was able to return to race action, but had lost valuable track position and returned to the order 19th overall. Showing the same resiliency that her crew had earlier in the week, Ruman battled back to maneuver her way forward through the field.

As the race continued, the track conditions improved – as did the lap times as Ruman ran her quickest lap of the race on Lap 40 of the 67-lap event.

Ruman’s perseverance behind the wheel saw her take fifth in class at the checkered flag. The result was a welcome one for Ruman Racing considering just six days ago the team was uncertain whether they’d even be able to compete in the Lime Rock event.

“If you told me right after the crash at Mosport that we would be able to move up in the points after the race at Lime Rock Park, I’d have never believed you!” said Ruman. “This is for the team. They took a car that really had just been sitting in the garage for the last year, got it turned around and turned out for the Lime Rock race. Really good team effort. I was hoping we’d be able to get the guys a podium finish, but just had that quick off and that was that. But it was still a good day and this group all deserves a ton of credit—and some sleep!”

The fifth place finish moved Ruman up to fourth in the championship as the Trans Am Series next travels to historic Watkins Glen in two weeks for Round 4.

“I’m looking forward to the Glen, it is just a classic track and it is great that Trans Am races there,” said Ruman. “But in the meantime, I just want to thank not only everyone on this crew, but also all the service men and women who don’t get anywhere near the credit and thanks that they deserve for the sacrifices that they and their families make.”

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 4 – Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, New York (June 9) || Round 5 – Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin (June 21)

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

For Immediate Release: May 23, 2013
Contact: Matt Cleary, Sunday Group Management
media@sundaymanagement.com
(317) 908-2975-Mobile

Munroe Falls, Ohio (23 May 2013) – When the Ruman Racing team left Canadian Tire Motorsports Park just four days ago with a badly damaged No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette following a late-race crash on Sunday, it was unclear whether the team would be back in race action this weekend as Trans Am stages Round 3 of the championship at Lime Rock Park. After getting back to the shop, the ever-resilient group worked long hours during the week, and those efforts will see Amy Ruman take part in the Lime Rock event utilizing the team’s back up car.

Last weekend, Ruman looked set to once again threaten for another Trans Am podium finish after placing third in the Sebring season-opener. Unfortunately, contact from another car that sent Ruman spinning off course then resulted in a tire failure on the No. 23 Corvette on the very fast back straightaway. The car careened to the left into a concrete wall and though Ruman was unharmed, the McNichols machine sustained significant damage.

After driving all night, the team arrived back to its Ohio-based shop in the wee hours of the morning. The crew immediately went to work Monday morning, switching the motor and transmission from the damaged car over to the back up car. While the original No. 23 machine hasn’t seen much action since Ruman changed to the newer Corvette for the 2012 season, the team’s long history with the car is paying dividends as the familiarity has helped the turn around time be reduced as much as possible in the tough situation.

“The team has worked really hard this week to get everything transferred over and has made very good progress getting the car race ready,” said Ruman. “It’s been a hard week on the guys working long hours, but they knew the deadline that we had to get loaded and headed to Connecticut. I’m really grateful at how much everyone has rallied to make this happen. It’s not an ideal situation, but that’s racing!”

The return to Lime Rock Park will mark Ruman’s second Trans Am start at the 1.5-mile quick “bullring” track. She scored her first of seven podiums last year in her debut at the Connecticut circuit on her way to finishing runner-up in the 2012 Trans Am championship.
Ruman was credited with an eighth place result and will look to gain ground in the championship hunt this weekend as she travels to Lime Rock sitting fifth in the standings.

“The big focus was to make the race and to try and bring home as many championship points as we can,” said Ruman. “The good news is we know this Corvette inside and out, and the last time I ran it I won my first Trans Am race in it at Road Atlanta! Hopefully, we will bring home another win or a podium finish.”

The dedicated Ruman crew will work to dial in the car during two 30-minute practice sessions on Friday ahead of qualifying which is set to begin at 5:10 PM (ET). Saturday’s 100.5-mile, 67-lap race will start at 1:30 PM (ET).

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 3 – Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Connecticut (May 25) || Round 4 – Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, New York (June 9)

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

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Matt Cleary, Sunday Group Management
media@sundaymanagement.com
(317) 908-2975 – Mobile

Bowmanville, Ontario (20 May 2013) – Ruman Racing traveled north to Canadian Tire Motorsports Park for Round 2 of the Trans Am Championship looking to bring home another strong result in the No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette. Despite a promising race run, a major incident in the late stages of the race ended Amy Ruman’s day early and prevented a possible podium finish.

The weekend got off to a good start with a solid day of testing at the daunting track on Friday ahead of Saturday’s official practice and qualifying. Ruman’s fast qualifying lap of 1:18.313-seconds lined the No. 23 McNichols machine up fifth on the 28-car grid for the start of the race.

Looking to make up ground in the 100-mile Victoria Day Speedfest event, Ruman opened the race from the third row. She ran among the top-five throughout the early stages with the car continuing to improve throughout the run. While the lead pack of cars all set their fast race-laps within the first five laps, Ruman set her fastest lap of the race on Lap 20.

Ruman worked her way into the fourth position as a late-race caution set up a 12-lap green flag run to the checkered flag. She delivered a great restart to maneuver past 2012 Trans Am Champion Simon Gregg – the two Trans Am veterans putting on a great show for the fans in a valiant battle for third with Ruman eventually relinquishing the position to Gregg as he got back by the No. 23 Corvette a lap later.

In the waning laps, Ruman was running fourth when the No. 23 received contact from a competitor which sent the Corvette into the tire barrier. Though damaged, Ruman was able to continue. Unfortunately, with just one lap to go, the left front tire exploded at the fastest part of the racetrack which sent the Corvette hard into the concrete wall on the back straightaway. Ruman emerged unscathed from the incident, but the No. 23 McNichols Corvette sustained heavy damage.

“We can fix the car, but not in time for Lime Rock Park,” said a sore and chagrined Ruman. “It is really disappointing because we had been conservative with our tires and were looking strong in the last half of the race. The contact we had with the tire wall after I was knocked off the track definitely caused the problem with the tire. It’s just a shame that it happened on such a high-speed part of the track and caused so much damage.”

Adding to the disappointment was the loss of what looked to be a healthy boost of championship points heading her way after what had been a highly enjoyable Victoria Day weekend event up to that moment.

“The Canadian fans are just awesome,” said Ruman, whose mood picked up significantly at the mention of the strong crowds. “I have to say my hat’s off to everyone who is involved with what they are doing at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. There was a great Chevrolet display and it was just packed with people, and everyone stayed to watch our race at the end of the day so it was really cool. Of course, the way that the race ended wasn’t at all what we were hoping for but we’ve just got to be thankful that the car can be fixed. The team will focus on getting to work to make it to Lime Rock, possibly with our back up car.”

There is a quick turnaround before Round 3 this weekend and the Ruman Racing organization will work hard this week in hopes of being back on track at Lime Rock Park.
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 3 – Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Connecticut || Round 4 – Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, NY

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

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Matt Cleary, Sunday Group Management
media@sundaymanagement.com
(317) 908-2975 – Mobile

Munroe Falls, Ohio (16 May 2013) – After a nearly two-month break in the Trans Am schedule, Ruman Racing is ready to get back to Trans Am action this weekend in Canada. When the Ohio-based squad travels north to Canadian Tire Motorsports Park for Round 2 of the 2013 Trans Am Championship this weekend, Amy Ruman will be targeting the top step of the podium with the No. 23 McNichols Corvette.

Ruman kicked off the 2013 Trans Am season with a third place finish in the season-opening race at Sebring International Raceway and hopes to carry that podium momentum into this weekend’s festivities. Adding more speed to that momentum, Ruman will arrive fresh off of a dominating SCCA GT-1 win at Summit Point last weekend in which she led flag-to-flag and improved upon her own track record.

The track, formerly known as Mosport, is located north of Toronto and is both a driver and fan-favorite with its scenic twists and turns having challenged the best drivers in the world. The iconic facility has undergone a transformation to the grounds after former Trans Am racer Ron Fellows and his ownership group have devoted significant investment to the property.

“The Canadian fans are awesome, and it is great to be a part of the Victoria Day Speedfest event at CTMP,” said Ruman. “Getting to run Trans Am at a place where there is so much tradition is something special for the drivers, and this is a track that tests you, every single lap.”

After the two-month layoff, the Trans Am schedule heats up in May with the Canadian Tire event preceding the Memorial Day visit to Lime Rock Park. This weekend, Ruman enters Round 2 from third in the points standings as she looks to move further up the championship order with a strong result on Sunday.

Ruman scored sixth in last year’s visit to Canadian Tire Motorsports Park as she made her debut with the team’s new C6 Corvette. Now, with a year of learning the new machine and its various set ups, the Ruman Racing organization is well-prepared for a podium result at the historic venue.

Fierce competition is sure to be abundant at the Victoria Day Speedfest event with Trans Am boasting a stout 28-car field for Sunday’s race. It marks the highest car count for Trans Am at the Canadian circuit in 12 years.

“Trans Am continues to grow and so does the competition. Every weekend you can tell that everyone is stepping up their game so it pushes everyone to find more speed,” said Ruman, who won the Trans Am races at New Jersey Motorsports Park and Brainerd International Raceway last year. “After having a bit of a break we are going to two very different tracks in the space of a week, so I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully we can improve in the points standings with two strong races.”

Testing will take place on Friday with sessions at 10:45 AM – 11:10 AM, 1:35 PM – 2:00 PM, and 3:55 PM – 4:20 PM. Saturday will see a morning practice form 10:05 AM – 10:35 AM and a 30-minute qualifying session from 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM. The 41-lap, 100-mile race will go green Sunday at 4:15 PM. (All times ET)

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 3 – Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Connecticut (May 25) || Round 4 – Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, New York (June 9)

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

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Matt Cleary, Sunday Group Management
media@sundaymanagement.com
(317) 908-2975 – Mobile

Summit Point, WV (7 May 2013) – After a nearly two month break between races, Ruman Racing was back in action this weekend with a strong outing in SCCA competition as the Ohio-based family traveled to Summit Point Motorsports Park in West Virginia.

Amy Ruman dominated the GT-1 category in the No. 23 McNichols Corvette, scoring two podium finishes while her sister Niki Skinner netted eleventh and ninth place finishes in the Spec Racer Ford division.

The weekend started a bit rough for Amy, as a mechanical issue occurred early in Friday morning practice and then sidelined the No. 23 Corvette from taking part in the afternoon qualifier. The Ruman Racing crew made the repair and Ruman was back on track for Q2 Saturday morning to take the GT-1 pole for Race 1.

Starting from the front row in Race 1, Ruman set a fast race-lap of 1:10.897-seconds—breaking Ruman’s very own track record that she set in 2008. The speed of the No. 23 Corvette showed throughout Race 1 with Ruman putting her previous experience at the track to good use with a strong run out front leading the entire race, finishing with a healthy lead.

Unfortunately, a post race penalty cost Ruman the win, dropping her two positions to third in the results. Ruman inadvertently made an unintentional pass on a lapped car earlier in the race under yellow flag conditions which caused officials to penalize the No. 23 machine.

“I value the SCCA workers and safety crews, unfortunately I made an unintentional mistake making that pass and cost us a win,” stated Ruman.

Meanwhile, the Ruman Racing canopy was a busy place as sister Niki Skinner rolled out and qualified 13th in Spec Race Ford and moved up to finish 11th in Race 1.

For Race 2, Ruman once again started from the GT-1 pole after posting a smoking fast lap time of 1:09.577-seconds. Skinner qualified ninth on the Spec Racer Ford grid, with both sisters setting their fastest lap times of the weekend during their qualifying sessions.

Ruman delivered a command performance in Race 2 by leading flag-to-flag and extending her lead to a 14.075-second advantage over the entire GT-1 field. Skinner had another battle filled race, and finished a strong ninth place out of the highly competitive 22-car Spec Racer Ford field.

“It was a fun weekend for the family and a really good way to get warmed up for our upcoming Trans Am races in a few weeks,” said Ruman, who will head north to the renovated “Mosport” track in two weeks’ time. “The season has already been very competitive and the guys have been giving me a really good car every race, hopefully we can keep raising our game to have another big year.”

Next up for Ruman Racing is Round 2 of the Trans Am Championship at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Bowmanville, Ontario as Ruman looks to improve on her third place finish in the season-opener earlier this year at Sebring International Raceway.

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 2 – Canadian Tire Motorsports Park-Bowmanville, Ontario || Round 3 – Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Connecticut

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