Braselton, Ga. (5 November 2012) – Racing on the track where she first broke through for a history making Trans Am victory, Amy Ruman capped off a stellar 2012 Trans Am season with a double podium weekend at Road Atlanta. The strong results in the season-finale double-header event saw Ruman solidify her runner-up finish in the 2012 Trans Am Championship.

The double podium run was a final flourish for Ruman’s already impressive season, having collected seven podium finishes including two victories – New Jersey Motorsports Park and Brainerd International Raceway.

Last year, Ruman became the first woman in history to claim a Trans Am victory when she won at Road Atlanta, and this year the Ohio native had been hoping for a repeat performance at the 2.54-mile road course.

Driving the No. 23 McNichols Co./Goodyear/Cenweld Corvette which has proven to be quick all season long, Ruman was poised to do just that, but some setbacks saw Ruman fighting back to stand on the podium after both events. In Saturday’s 40-lap race, Ruman showed strong speed in the No. 23 and after posting the third quickest time in qualifying, started from inside the second row before taking over the second position during the early stages of the race.

Running in second for most of the race and trying to chase down the leader Tony Ave, her efforts were temporarily thwarted after a quick spin and contact with the wall exiting Turn 5 with nine laps to go. That contact caused some front end damage, but Ruman was able to keep the car going and drive it home to third at the finish.

The result translated into a third place spot on Sunday’s grid, as the qualifying order was set by the finishing results of Race 1. At the start, Ruman advanced to second place in Turn 1, but that didn’t last long. Unfortunately, she spun exiting Turn 7 on Lap 1, and Ruman found herself playing catch up for most of the race. The entire 22 car field went by before Ruman could rejoin the pack, but she made quick work of regaining the lost time on the field – improving to 13th on the second lap and maneuvering through traffic to run ninth on Lap 3.

By the seventh lap, Ruman had moved the No. 23 McNichols Co./Goodyear/Cenweld Corvette into fourth and was running lap times faster than the leaders as she began to dig into the nearly 30-second gap between her and the leaders.

As she closed the gap, Ruman took over the third position on Lap 15 where she would continue to run until a full course caution came out on Lap 27, which was welcomed by the Ruman Racing group as it closed the gap for Ruman and the leaders.

The second place car of Tony Ave hit pit road during the caution period, which moved Ruman into second place for the restart. With the stage set for an eight-lap dash to the finish, rain started to fall on the course, making a valiant battle between Peterson, Ruman, and Ave for the win. The battle was heated with a slick track, and Ruman eventually relinquished the second place position to finish third for her seventh podium result of the year.

“There was a lot on the line this weekend, and it proved to be a tough one for us!” said Ruman. “I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t grab one of the wins this weekend, but at least I was able to finish out the season with two podium thirds and bring home second in the Championship. My crew worked overtime for me this weekend, the whole season for that matter, I couldn’t do it without them! Congratulations to Simon (Gregg) on his championship, and a huge thanks to McNichols Company, Goodyear, and Cenweld for their support this season.”

The Road Atlanta results concluded an outstanding season for Ruman as she added two more victories to her racing resume and claimed her career-best finish in the Trans Am championship.

“We made a big commitment this season to go to the new car, and I think the results back up our decision,” said Ruman. “It can be a risk any time you change equipment, but my team did a fantastic job learning the car and the preparation was outstanding all year long. I’m really grateful to have this kind of group–a great family around me. We had another very strong year, and I think the new management of the Trans Am Race Company did an outstanding job as well. I’m looking forward to continuing to see the Series grow and to keep getting stronger in the future. I can’t believe the season is already over, but we are already working on our plans for 2013!”

Ruman Racing would like to thank McNichols Company and Cenweld Corp. for their support during the 2012 season, as well as the Trans Am organization, and all of our fans that came out to the races.

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. Cenweld Corp., a well-established manufacturer and distributor of truck bodies and equipment throughout Ohio, is also long-time Ruman Racing 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/

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

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin (24 September 2012) – No one wants to show up for a gun fight with a pocket knife, so when Amy Ruman prepared to head to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin and fight for the SCCA National Championship in GT-1 competition at Road America last Friday, she made sure to bring everything she needed to go up against the best in the land as she looked to return to the National podium once again.

Ruman’s packing list for the week-long race meeting included the fast and well-prepared No. 23 McNichols Co./Goodyear/Cenweld Corvette, an experienced and knowledgeable Bob Ruman-led Ruman Racing crew, and lastly, some race-winning momentum.

Transitioning from Trans Am competition, where Ruman scored a win in the most recent round at Brainerd International Raceway, to the GT-1 ranks was something Ruman was already familiar with. The Ohio-based racer has had a busy summer as she netted wins in SCCA competition at Watkins Glen, Summit Point, and Mid-Ohio as she worked to qualify for the huge National race in addition to running the full Trans Am schedule.

Three rounds of qualifying at Road America this week saw Ruman continue to generate data for the all-important tire selection for Friday’s 13-lap race. Ruman, who earned a Bronze medal for her run to third in the GT-1 National in 2010 was hoping to add to the trophy collection in an event that has been important to the entire Ruman family for many years.

Friday’s race saw her line up from fifth on the grid, moving up to fourth right at the drop of the green flag. The lead three cars grew a significant gap to the field in the early laps, with Ruman keeping the trio in sight, just two seconds behind.

“Unfortunately I had a brake problem at the beginning and they got away from me a bit,” said Ruman immediately after the race.

But that small issue didn’t phase Ruman, who has had to overcome hurdles before.

As the laps clicked off, Ruman grew into a more and more threatening presence in the final laps – running a half a second a lap faster than the lead pack. Despite having a strong pace late in the race, her effort to return to the podium came up just short as she crossed the line in fourth place as announcers Dorsey Schroeder and Greg Kramer made the call through her strong charge to the finish.

“Once I settled in, I was able to catch them,” said Ruman post race. “I just needed two more laps! I got a little loose in Turn 14 with two laps to go and that cost me some momentum. But we had a good car and it was a strong race and we’ve had a good season. We were hoping to be back on the podium here in the National, but I’m still pleased with how things went this week. Congratulations to Mike (Lewis) on his win and now we’ll look ahead to the Trans Am double header at Road Atlanta.”

In case you missed the live video broadcast of the GT-1 race last Friday, don’t worry you’re in luck! Log onto http://www.speedcasttv.com/#/races/309 and fast forward to the 211 minute mark to see a replay of the GT-1 race and Ruman’s post race interview.

Next up, Ruman will return to Road Atlanta for the Trans Am season finale double race weekend November 3-4. Ruman, who won the Road Atlanta round of Trans Am competition in 2011, holds second in the championship standings ahead of the double-header race 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. Cenweld Corp., a well-established manufacturer and distributor of truck bodies and equipment throughout Ohio, is also long-time Ruman Racing 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: Rounds 9 & 10: Double at Road Atlanta, GA – November 4

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

September 17, 2012 (Elkhart Lake, Wis.) — By any measure, the 2012 season has been another banner year for Amy Ruman, in both Trans Am and SCCA GT-1 National competition.
The Kent, Ohio native and winner of the most recent Trans Am race is far from done with her racing “to-do list,” as she prepares to head back to Road America, Wisconsin for the 2012 Sports Car Club of America National Championship Runoffs races.

Ruman, who is proud to carry the McNichols Company name on the redNo. 23 McNichols Co./Goodyear/Cenweld Corvette, won Round 9 of the Trans Am Series at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota over Labor Day weekend and will look to return to the SCCA National Runoffs podium this week as she is set for GT-1 competition in SCCA’s biggest event of the year.

The nearly week-long event marks the 49th running of the SCCA National Championship races, which sees the best and fastest drivers from across the country meet up to determine one National Champion for their specific class. Ruman has previous experience in the big event, competing in it eight times, scoring fifth in the 2009 running and then ascending to her best finish, a podium in 2010 with a third place.

After a very busy schedule prevented her from contesting the 2011 event, Ruman is eager to get back to National competition as she brings significant momentum with her to the fabled Wisconsin track.

Ruman Racing has long been a part of the National scene as her father Bob had his own legacy of success in the GT-1 ranks, long before daughter Amy got the racing bug.

“It’s the Runoffs, and our family has been going to this event for as long as I can remember,” said Ruman, who has benefitted from her Ruman Racing crew getting a quick handle on the No. 23 Corvette after the team acquired the new machine ahead of the 2012 season. “I’m glad we are back and I’m hoping the new car is the difference for me this year. I have already scored two Trans Am wins in the new 23 this year, so I know it’s a strong car. I just need to put it all together for this race and score us a National Championship.”

Her runs so far this season in GT-1 competition are another source for optimism ahead of the National Championship, as Ruman won at Summit Point, Mid-Ohio, and Watkins Glen as she worked to qualify for the big Nationals event.

“It’s a fun challenge, going from one series to the other,” said Ruman of the Trans Am to SCCA transition. “There are some differences between the rules in Trans Am and in GT-1 so it is a bit of a different technical package. So that is something for us to adjust to a little bit, particularly with tires and set-up. But for me as a driver, I know what my job is once I get in that car, no matter what the rules are!”

Her last run at Road America was none too long ago, having raced the Trans Am event at the 4-mile track in August. Unfortunately, the weekend was far from a highlight for Ruman as she had to accept a ninth place finish after suffering contact in the race that she started from on the front row.

“I feel like I have some unfinished business here at Road America,” offered Ruman. “It’s good that we have logged some recent track time here in the new Vette, and that’s helpful. When we made the commitment to buy the new Corvette, it was a bit of a gamble because we had so much information and a really deep notebook full of set-ups for the old car. So we were kind of starting from scratch this year, but I think it has been pretty remarkable how well my father Bob and the crew have adapted to setting up this car, and that’s showed this season.”

Ruman is slated to hit the track starting Tuesday at 2:55 pm, with the first of three qualifying sessions. Wednesday’s qualifying will start at 10:20 am, with the final round at 3:35 pm. The GT-1 race is scheduled to go green at 2:35 pm on Friday afternoon, (all times listed are EST).

The 2012 SCCA National Championship Runoffs will be broadcast live on the Internet from Road America. Speedcast Productions will exclusively carry the LIVE action during race days through www.SpeedcastTV.com, as well as on demand versions of each of the 24 races with additional content after the event has concluded. Don’t forget to tune in and WATCH LIVE VIDEO coverage of Amy Ruman in the GT-1 race on Friday, September 21st at 2:35 pm EST.

For full coverage, news, entry lists, and LIVE timing and scoring of the 2012 Runoffs, visit the official SCCA National Runoffs website at: http://www.scca.com/events/index.cfm?eid=4516

Event schedule: http://scca.cdn.racersites.com/prod/assets/2012_Schedule_for_print_revised_8.27.12.pdf

Live Timing:
http://www.livetiming.net/SCCA/Runoffs/LiveTiming.asp

Event information:
http://www.scca.com/events/index.cfm?eid=4516

Munroe Falls, Ohio (3 September 2012) – While many were making the most of the Labor Day weekend holiday, Ruman Racing and Amy Ruman were hard at work—and had some new hardware to show for it.

Ruman persevered through a rigorous double-header weekend for Ruman Racing at Brainerd International Raceway driving the No. 23 McNichols Co./Goodyear/Cenweld Corvette to a dominating victory in Sunday’s Race 2.

The result backed up a run to fourth in Saturday’s Race 1 after tire issues prevented her podium tally from growing. Ruman’s breakthrough win in the final race of the 2011 Trans Am season has seen her now develop into a strong contender week in and week out. Sunday’s race saw Ruman leading 19 laps on her way to scoring her fifth podium finish of the season.

Sitting second in the championship standings heading into Rounds 7 & 8 of the Trans Am Championship, Ruman knew she needed to score two good results in the Labor Day event in an effort to score maximum championship points.

The weekend got off to a great start for the Ruman Racing squad when Ruman qualified the No. 23 Corvette second to start from the outside of the first row for Race 1 after posting a quick time of 1:31.284-seconds.

Ruman comfortably ran in the second position for the first half of the 40-lap, 100-mile race until tire issues saw the Corvette lose speed and ultimately take fourth at the finish.

With Saturday’s race results setting the grid for Sunday’s event, Ruman would start from outside the second row ready to make a charge forward. And that she did as she quickly maneuvered into the second position by the end of the first lap where she remained within a half second of the leading car of Tony Ave throughout the first half of the race. As she relentlessly hounded Ave for the lead, she continued to improve the gap over the third place car of Simon Gregg – developing over a 20-second advantage just 15 laps in.

As Ruman closed the gap to leader, she capitalized when Ave flat spotted a tire to take over the lead just past the halfway point of the race and put a 4.5-second lead over the field. As the second and third place cars of Ave and Gregg battled for the second spot, Ruman grew her lead to a 16-second advantage and looked poised to sail to victory lane.

But with the memory of Saturday’s tire troubles fresh in her mind, Ruman eased her pace, making sure she had all the Goodyear Tire underneath her at the finish. The closing laps saw Ruman shadowed by Gregg as they worked through lapped traffic, but Ruman held off all chargers on her way to the big win with a .673-second advantage over the field at the checkered flag.

“I owe this one to the guys and my dad for getting the car together today,” said Ruman following victory lane celebrations. “Tony (Ave) seemed to be having the same problem I was having yesterday, so we were content staying behind him for a while. My plan was to get up front and just try and maintain position and luckily my tires held up and we got the victory today. We almost pulled it off last year and it feels great to bring home one of the wins this weekend. While it hurt us yesterday that we didn’t land on the podium in terms of the championship hunt, we were just focused on the tires today. And luckily it worked out and we were number one!”

The Brainerd results see Ruman remain second in the championship just 15 points out of the top spot as the series heads into the final event weekend.

The Ruman Racing team has a two-month break before the final double-header weekend of the year as Trans Am stages the final rounds at Road Atlanta November 4. The Atlanta track is the site of Ruman’s breakthrough victory last year in which she became the first woman in history to win a Trans Am race.

Next up, Ruman will head to Road America for the SCCA National Championship Runoffs to compete in the GT-1 category September 18-21.

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. Cenweld Corp., a well-established manufacturer and distributor of truck bodies and equipment throughout Ohio, is also long-time Ruman Racing 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:
SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI: September 18-21 – Ruman in GT-1

Trans Am Rounds 9 & 10: November 4 – Road Atlanta-Braselton, Ga.

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

Munroe Falls, Ohio (29 August 2012) – The Trans Am Series travels to Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota this weekend for Rounds 7 & 8 of the 10-race 2012 championship. Amy Ruman is ready to rebound following disappointment at Road America after contact ruined her run for a fifth consecutive podium finish.

The race weekend could provide a welcome boost in championship points, as the Ohio-based racer delivered two solid showings in last year’s Brainerd Labor Day weekend double-header.

Ruman will target a return to the Brainerd podium with another strong run in the No. 23 McNichols Co./Goodyear/Cenweld Corvette. When the Trans-Am Series debuted at the 13-turn, 2.5-mile Minnesota road course last year, Ruman quickly learned the fast way around the track with a qualifying effort that landed her third on the grid for Race 1 and the second starting spot for Race 2. Despite racing in the rain for only the third time in her career in Saturday’s event, Ruman held on to finish third. She looked to make it a double podium during the weekend with a strong run on Sunday, but unfortunate contact during the race ultimately saw her take the checkered flag fourth in the order.

“My crew has been really working hard fixing the 23. We’ve put Road America behind us, and everyone is looking forward to going back to Brainerd this weekend,” said Ruman. “With two races, it is a pretty intense schedule. When you think about all the points that are in play with a double header, it could be really big in terms of what happens with the championship. Hopefully we can have two strong, clean races and get the most out of the weekend to put us in a strong position as we enter the final rounds at Road Atlanta.”

Despite the race result at Road America, Ruman remains second in the championship standings as Trans Am prepares to stage the Brainerd double header. After the Labor Day event, there will be just one more Trans Am race weekend–the site of Ruman’s breakthrough victory last year, Road Atlanta–to decide the 2012 Championship.

The Minnesota stop on the schedule marks the longest haul for the Ruman Racing squad, traveling over 900 miles from their Munroe Falls, Ohio-based race shop.

“It’s a long trip for a pretty jam packed, short race weekend!” joked Ruman of the two-day race format. “It means that we’ll be setting the grid for Race 2 based on what happens in Race 1 so that adds even more pressure to finish well. Brainerd is a nice facility and we had a lot of great fans watching us here last year on Labor Day weekend. Hopefully we will have two wins to celebrate!”

The Trans Am Series will share the weekend with the Muscle Car Series and the SCCA Jack Pine Sprints. Saturday will see a 40-minute morning practice session at 9:00 AM (ET) followed by a 30-minute qualifying session at 12:30 PM (ET).

The 100-mile race will begin at 5:05 PM (ET) Saturday. A 30-minute practice is set for Sunday morning with Saturday’s race results setting the grid order for Sunday’s race which begins at 4:45 PM (ET).

Live timing and scoring can be followed throughout the weekend at www.gotransam.com/live-timing-and-scoring or on your mobile device at http://www.livetiming.net/scca/trans-am/html.asp.

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. Cenweld Corp., a well-established manufacturer and distributor of truck bodies and equipment throughout Ohio, is also long-time Ruman Racing 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:
SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI: September 18-21 – Ruman in GT-1

Trans Am Rounds 9 & 10: November 4 – Road Atlanta-Braselton, Ga.

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