For Immediate Release: June 7, 2007
Contact: Amy Ruman 330.813.2323 cell
Munroe Falls, OH – Ruman Racing had a driver change this past weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – Bob Ruman climbed back into the cockpit to compete in a race for the first time since his last run in the Road America Trans-Am race in 2004.
GT-1 was Group 1 for the weekend and, of course, the weather became a factor. Saturday it was dry for qualifying but became very wet for Sunday morning’s race. Ruman took time to get comfortable with the car and was 2nd in the first qualifier; he captured the pole in the eight car GT-1 field during Saturday’s second qualifier. The top three qualifiers were Ruman, Lasco, and McManus.
Sunday morning came early, and the sky opened up and poured rain just as the competitors headed to the grid. Naturally, it became a tire game, sending teams scrambling to decide which tires to run. Ruman decided to change back to his Goodyear slicks on the grid, and most of the teams followed suit. The field started to roll, and once again – the rain started falling. SCCA decided to run two pace laps, which gave the teams an opportunity to change back to rain tires. Ruman pitted on the second pace lap, giving up his pole position to start the race on rain tires. The field was all spread out due to pit stops and Ruman was a half a lap back from the leader, a T-1 class car, when the green flag fell.
At this point, Ruman had to pit again to try and clear the windshield from fogging problems. He made a quick pit stop and the crew sent him on his way. Amazingly enough, Ruman held the GT-1 lead! Still battling fogging problems, another problem arose; the motor became waterlogged and developed a miss. This allowed the second place GT-1, Dick Greer, to really close in on Ruman. Greer passed Ruman coming out of the keyhole over halfway through the race. SCCA was going to shorten the race due to lightning, so he tried to pick it up to stick with Greer. Ruman’s motor healed itself all of the sudden and the two were neck and neck. Ruman regained the 1st place slot as he passed Greer back down the back straight.
Greer tried to challenge Ruman the last few laps but was unable to pass him back. Ruman drove the #23 McNichols Corvette to the checkered flag and claimed the GT-1 victory. Rounding out the top three were Ruman, Greer, and McManus.
“Man what a race. The weather was such a huge factor for all the teams today. Dick (Greer) and I had a great battle going, and I am really happy I came up with the win! My crew did such a great job getting me in and out on our pit stops, I can’t thank them enough,” exclaimed Ruman. “It felt really great to be back racing, but I’m not sure Amy is ready to hand me back the reigns!”
Amy Ruman continues to lead the 2007 GT-1 Northeast Points chase, claiming two wins and a second place.
Next up: June 17: GT-1 National at BeaveRun Raceway, PA
rumanracing.com McNichols.com
