Amy Ruman

Trans Am/GT-1 Corvette #23

2017 Amy Ruman Highlights Tear Sheet

2017 Season Highlights — Defending two-time Trans Am Champion Amy Ruman driving her newly re-bodied 2017 #23 C7 McNichols Corvette, fell shy in her quest for a third straight Trans Am TA class title in 2017, finishing 3^rd overall in in the Championship points standings. She competed in the full 13-race season. Ruman’s top finishes for the season were at Road Atlanta and Watkins Glen where she placed second. She had eight top-5 finishes. She faced some adversity from unwanted contact with cars in other classes that took her out of the running in three races.

2016 Season Highlights — Ruman goes back-to-back and wins the Trans Am TA title for the second year in a row in the #23 C6 McNichols Corvette. Ruman is now the two-time defending Champion in the TA class, capturing the title at a narrow margin in the chase for the 3-Dimmensional Trigon Trophy. She came home in first with 299 points in the over second place Paul Fix (290) and third place Simon Gregg (248). In a roller coaster 12 race season, Ruman won 3 races – Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen, and Daytona. She stood on the podium three other times, taking two 2nd places at New Jersey and NOLA, and a 3rd place at COTA. To round out the season she placed in the top-10 six times despite some contact, rain, and mechanical issues. Invited by Bobby Rahal (President), Amy Ruman was inducted into the 2016 Membership Class of the Road Racing Drivers Club (RRDC.org).

2015 Season Highlights — Ruman’s 2015 season proved to be the most successful season in her racing career driving the #23 C6 McNichols Corvette. For the 4^th year in a row, Ruman ran the full 12-race Trans Am schedule and brought home a new title – 2015 Trans Am Champion! Ruman now holds another page in the history books, becoming the FIRST woman to win the coveted Trans Am Championship title in the 49-year history of the Series. Ruman finished first with 252 points in the chase for the 3-Dimmensional Trigon Trophy over Paul Fix (238) and Doug Peterson (198). It was a stellar season for the team as Ruman won 8 races – Sebring, Homestead, Road Atlanta, New Jersey, Brainerd, NOLA, COTA, and Daytona – out of the 12 race schedule. She took 3^rd at Lime Rock, managed a 12^th place finish after a competitor had unsportsmanlike contact and took her out at Mid-Ohio, a 6^th at rain plagued Road America, and 5^th at VIR.

2014 Season Highlights — 2014 was another solid year for Amy Ruman. She ran the full 11-race Trans Am schedule for the 3rd year in a row. Ruman fell short of the Trans Am Title placing 3rd overall, just one point shy of 2nd, but was a viable contender in the Championship hunt. The 2014 season brought some more awesome “firsts” in Ruman’s career. She scored her first Trans Am pole position at New Jersey, and brought home a flag to flag win there. She brought home the checkered at Daytona International Speedway, becoming the FIRST woman to win a professional automobile race at Daytona as a solo driver! Ruman stood on the podium four other times, garnering two 2nd places at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park and Brainerd, and grabbing 3rd places at Sebring and VIR. She placed in the top five seven times in 11 races in the #23 C6 McNichols Corvette.

2013 Season Highlights — Ruman’s 2013 was a very busy and tough year. She ran 14 races, and raced a complete Trans Am schedule for the second year in a row. Some races didn’t go her way (falling victim to bad circumstances in most cases) she still managed to finish solid in the Trans Am Series Championship points standings, bringing home 4^th place overall. During the Trans Am season, Ruman ran all 10 races on the schedule and was able to podium twice, grabbing two 3^rd places at Sebring and Brainerd Raceway, as well as scoring four top five finishes during the year. Ruman also captured three GT-1 National wins in the #23 C6 McNichols Corvette.

2012 Season Highlights — The 2012 season was another strong and busy year for Amy Ruman, as she ran 15 total races. She finished a solid 2nd in the Trans Am Series Championship points standings. Ruman ran the complete Trans Am Season schedule for the first time in her career, and only missed three podium finishes out of ten races. In her new C6 Corvette, she had seven podium finishes, including backing up last year’s Trans Am Series win with two more wins at New Jersey Motorsports Park and Brainerd Raceway. She captured three GT-1 National wins and competed again for the title in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs held at Road America in September where she finished 4th in her sixth try. At the beginning of the year, Ruman was the 2012 recipient of the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association Rising Star award (AARWBA) in Indianapolis.

2011 Season Highlights — The 2011 season was Amy Ruman’s breakout year, as it brought her first Trans-Am Series win at the Trans-Am season finale at the Petit Le Mans race weekend at Road Atlanta. With that win, Ruman became the first women to win a Trans-Am race in the Series’ 45-year history. She stood on the Trans-Am podium three times during the season, with the 1st place at Road Atlanta, and garnering 3rd place finishes at Brainerd, MN and Mosport, Canada. Amy ran eight of the nine races on the Trans-Am Series schedule; qualified in the top-5 in six races, closed the season with five top-5 finishes, and placed 3rd overall in the Series Championship points standings. The team focused on running mainly Trans-Am races this year, but still managed to compete in four GT-1 National events, where Amy scored two wins and two 2nd place finishes. For the fifth time in her racing career, Ruman was the GT-1 Northeast National Points Division Champion.

2010 Season Highlights – Ruman’s 2010 season was probably one of the most successful seasons in her many years of racing. She ran a combined season of Trans-Am Series races and GT-1 National races again, and was very triumphant on both fronts. Amy ran six of the ten races in the Trans-Am Series schedule; qualified in the top-10 for all six races, and finished in the top-5 for all but one of the races when she suffered a mechanical problem. She captured three 3rd place podium finishes–at Road America, Toronto, and Autobahn; was 5th at New Jersey, 8th at VIR (mech), and 4th at Road Atlanta. For the fourth time in her racing career, Ruman was the GT-1 Northeast National Points Division Champion, capturing 3 pole positions out of 6 races, scoring 4 wins and a second place finish at the famed June Sprints National at Road America, WI. Amy competed again in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs held at Road America, where she had the best finish of her Runoffs career earning a 3rd place spot on the podium.

Prior Career Highlights

2009 Season Highlights – With the rebirth of the Trans-Am Series in the 2009 season, Amy made the decision to divide her time and focus on running select Trans-Am races and enough GT-1 Nationals to qualify for the SCCA National Championship Runoffs. She competed in five Muscle Milk SCCA Trans-Am races. Amy qualified in the top-10 for all five races, grabbing a 3rd place and her first podium finish in the series at Road Atlanta, GA in the season opener. She was 6th at VIR, 12th at Mid-Ohio (mechanical problems), 4th at Watkins Glen, and 17th at Road America (motor problems). She placed 3rd in the GT-1 Northeast National Points Division, capturing 3 pole positions out of 5 races, scoring 3 wins and a second place finish which earned her a spot in at the 2009 Runoffs. Closing out the season in October, Amy finished 5th in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs held at Road America, WI.

2008 Season Highlights – For the third consecutive year, Amy was crowned SCCA Northeast National Points Division Champion for GT-1. Running in eight races, Ruman scored six pole positions, four wins, two-second places, and currently holds five track records. In her first time running at Road America in the famed June Sprints, she qualified 5th and finished 8th after breaking a steering control arm during the race. Finishing the 2008 season off, she ran her sixth consecutive SCCA National Championship Runoffs. Ruman qualified 5th but finished a disappointing 14th after encountering a wing problem at Heartland Park Topeka, KS.

2007 Season Highlights – For the second consecutive year, Amy was the SCCA Northeast National Points Division Champion for GT-1. She captured seven pole positions out of seven races, scored five wins, one second place finish, and currently holds four track records. Amy won races at NHIS, Nelsons Ledges, BeaveRun, and Pocono. At Summit Point, she slipped into second when it started raining, after leading most of the race. She did not start at Watkins Glen do to car problems. Ruman ended the season competing in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Hearltand Park Topeka, KS October 13. She qualified 6th, but was hit from behind on the 1st lap of the race. The car sustained significant damage and she was unable to continue.

2006 Season Highlights – Amy was the SCCA Northeast National Points Division Champion for GT-1. She captured six pole positions, scored three wins, and posted four new track records. Amy won races at Summit Point, NHIS, and Nelsons Ledges. She had two close second place finishes at Pocono and a third place at Watkins Glen. She finished 6th at Topeka and fell out of BeaveRun after breaking an input shaft. Amy scored her first top-five finish at Topeka in only her second Trans-Am Series race, finishing 5th. She will round out the season at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs to be held at Heartland Park Topeka in October.

2005 Season Highlights – Amy finished second in the SCCA Northeast National Points Division for the second year in a row, falling short of being Champion by one point. She ended the season with a 6th place finish in the Kohler National Championship Runoffs at Mid-Ohio. She had busy year running in 12 races, which included her Trans-Am Series debut at the Cleveland Grand Prix, where she qualified 8th and finished 10th. She posted two wins – Nelson Ledges and BeaveRun. She captured five pole positions at Nelson Ledges, Mid-Ohio, BeaveRun, and two at Pocono. Amy had three second places, two third places, and fell out of the Moroso, Mid-Ohio, and one Pocono race due to mechanical issues.

2004 Season Highlights – Amy ran a jam-packed season this year competing in 12 races, which included her second entry in the Runoffs. She finished second in the Northeast National Points Division, with eight top five finishes, which included a win, six-second places, and a fourth. She ended the season with a 9th place finish in the Kohler National Runoffs at Mid-Ohio. During the regular season, Ruman grabbed a win at Mid-Ohio in June, captured six second places at Pocono, Pocono, Nelson Ledges, NHIS, Summit Point, and Moroso; had a 4th at Sebring and a 6th at Mid-Ohio in August. BeveRun and Watkins Glen were huge disappointments for Amy this year. She suffered a major crash in qualifying when another car spun in the middle of blind turn, blocking the track. After hitting him nearly head-on, Ruman had minor injuries with a sprained ankle and bruises. Three weeks later, the crew repaired the damage and Ruman was back in the car leading the race at Watkins Glen, when the motor let go.

2003 Season Highlights – Amy switched gears and focused on running in GT-1 this year. She had all top five finishes in GT-1. In the Super Bowl of club car racing, the National Valvoline Runoffs at Mid-Ohio, Amy finished 5th in a very competitive field of GT-1 racers. She ended the regular season with a 4th place at Mid-Ohio. Took a 2nd at Watkins Glen, and got her first official win at Beverun. After qualifying 39th in the rain and missing the dry qualifying session, she finished in a inspiring 5th at the Mid-Ohio national. A controversial disqualification took her out of 1st at the Nelson’s Ledges national. Switching back to the Spec Racer, she ran the Pro double at Beverun and took a 4th and a 6th place. She opened her GT-1 season at Gingerman finishing in 3rd. Summit Point was the 2003 SRF season opener where Amy finished 23rd after a mid-race incident.

2002 Season Highlights – This year, Amy expanded her racing to running in SRF and GT-1. Rounding out the season at the VIR double Pro weekend, Amy finished 15th (qualified 27th) and 39th after a spin. Switching gears back to GT-1, Amy qualified 8th and finished in 12th after contact in a first lap incident. She took a 15th in the Pro Spec Race at Mosport, and had a DNF after an S2 took her out at NE NHIS national. Amy’s season opened at the Florida nationals for the first time running her Dad’s Corvette in GT-1. She qualified an impressive 3rd at Moroso, but a gearbox problem gave her a DNF. She qualified 4th at Sebring and finished 3rd.

2001 Season Highlights – Amy focused running in Pro/National SRF races this year. Finished up the season with a 5th at Mid-Ohio national. She took 15th at the Cincinnati Airport course in Pro Spec Racer. In the double Pro/National weekend at VIR, Amy captured an impressive 14th and a 13th after qualifying in 25th and 27th. She took a 16th and a 29th (after a spin) at the Spec Racer Pro/National Weekend at Watkins Glen. At the Pro Mid-Ohio race, she had a 17th place finish. Amy finished in 7th for her season opener at the NE national at Nelson’s Ledges.

2000 Season Highlights – Amy finished 16th at the San Diego Pro Spec Racer finale moving up from her qualifying position of 32nd. She finished 7th at the both the WGGT races in Las Vegas and Texas. At Pocono, Amy finished 10th after qualifying 6th at this SCCA national in the pouring rain. Qualified 4th, finished 6th in CE national at Nelson Ledges, also finished 17th in a CE national at Mid-Ohio, and captured a 5th in the SRF NE national at Nelson Ledges in OH. She finished 8th in round two of WGGT at Lowe’s Charlotte NC. Amy qualified 3rd in the season opener of the WGGT Series at Sebring, came back through the field to finish 6th after spinning and dropping to last place.

1999 Season Highlights – Amy won the 1999 SCCA Mahoning Valley Regional Championship with six victories in SRF. She also had 4th and a 6th in the nationals in a SRF at Nelson Ledges this year. She finished 33rd in Pro Spec Racer at Sebring, FL and 24th at Grand Rapids, MI. In the WGGT series, Amy qualified 3rd (second row) at Portland and finished 9th. At the April Atlanta WGGT race Amy finished 10th, were she also had the pole in her qualifying race. She finished 12th at Sears Point, 16th at the Petite Le Mans, and was involved in a crash at Laguna Seca. At the season finale in Las Vegas, she qualified 6th and moved up to 3rd until 5 laps from the finish, her clutch failed. Amy, along with sister and teammate Niki Ruman were invited to join the inaugural season of the Women’s Global GT Series – an invitation only world showcase of top female racing drivers. After a frustrating season, Amy finished 13th in the WGGT points standings. In January Amy and Niki were on the only all female team to compete in the 24 Hours of Moroso in a Spec Racer Ford; their Spec Racer Ford was involved in a crash in the 20th hour while running 3rd in class; the team placed 9th in class and 41st overall.

1998 Season Highlights – Amy raced nine national and regional SCCA SRF races last year. She had three top-ten finishes, including a podium 3rd place finish. Competed in her first endurance race at the 24 Hours of Moroso in January and finished 12th overall and 5th in class, on a family based team with sister Niki Ruman and father Bob Ruman along with two other drivers.

Other Racing Highlights – Invited by Lyn St. James to drive in the Women’s Global GT Series – Inaugural Season in 1999. Raced SRF regionally in 1997. Started competing in SCCA wheel-to-wheel events in 1995 in ITA and ITB classes. Began racing in 1992 in Corvette autocross/solo competitions.

Off the Track – Born on January 30, 1974, Amy currently resides in Stow, OH and is the former Owner and Vice President of Cenweld Corp. Truck Bodies and Equipment, a family owned and operated business from 1964-2012. She also is a former Stow-Munroe Falls High school Field Hockey coach where she coached for 9 seasons. She enjoyed being involved with the teens in her community and loved to teach the competition that drives her, always striving to involve young women in competitive sports. Amy is a 1996 graduate of Kent State University, earning her B.B.A. degree in Business Management with a Marketing minor.

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