Munroe Falls, Ohio – Ruman and team headed south for Trans Am Championship Presented by Pirelli 2018 season opener at Sebring International Raceway in Florida this past weekend, however the outcome was not what they had anticipated.
After some minor mechanical struggles in the practice and qualifying sessions, Ruman was hoping to have a solid race finish in Round 1 of the 2018 Championship, but that was not to be. Ruman qualified the No. 23 McNichols Co. Chevrolet Corvette in 7th on the grid on lap 2 before she was forced to pit lane with a header pipe issue.
The sunshine state of Florida provided a glorious weather weekend for the drivers and teams, and race day was near perfect. Ruman was confident to have a good start, keep pace, and let the race come to her, but contact from behind on lap one, turn one caused a left rear flat tire by turn two. She limped the car back to pit lane trying to keep the body damage to a minimum. The crew swiftly changed the tire and she returned to the race until additional body damage from the first lap incident presented itself, forcing her back to pit lane and then forcing a retirement to the paddock.
“To say I’m really disappointed is an understatement. This is definitely not how I wanted our year to start out, but unfortunately for us it did. We (Ruman/Pintaric) got together, albeit not major, but the contact was to the wrong spot, my left rear tire. It doesn’t take much to get a flat. When I had to drive it nearly 3 miles back around to the pits, the flat tire caused most of the body damage that later parked us for good,” stated Ruman. “What else can I say, on to Road Atlanta.”
Ruman finished the race 14th in the TA class, and 25th overall. Ernie Francis, Jr. leads the Championship after Round 1 with 34 points, followed by Chris Dyson in second – 27, David Pintaric in third – 25, and Amy Ruman sits in 15th – 12 points. The Series travels to Road Atlanta, GA March 29-31st.
SPONSORS: McNICHOLS CO. 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.
OMP Racing, Inc., OMP Racing is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of racing safety equipment and tuning accessories with a catalog of over 3,000 different items. Operating from a technologically advanced 80,000 sqft facility in Italy, OMP products are renowned for its quality, the meticulous attention to details that is constantly challenged by setting higher standards. For products and information visit ompamerica.com or ompsport.com.
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Race Info/Scoring/Results: www.gotransam.com Ruman Racing, Inc., is based in Munroe Falls, Ohio.
