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.
