Munroe Falls, Ohio (30 September 2013) – Ruman Racing returned to Trans Am race action over the weekend for the Trans Am 100 Presented by World Information Systems at Virginia International Raceway which marked Round 8 of the 2013 Trans Am Championship.
Entering the event buoyed by the podium result from the Brainerd International Raceway event, Amy Ruman had been hoping for a return to the Trans Am podium. But despite setting the second fastest race lap and battling for the lead in the 31-lap race, Ruman Racing faced disappointment when a gearbox failure on the No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette saw the Ruman squad forced to retire early from the event.
The weekend began well for Ruman, as the team unloaded a very quick No. 23 McNichols machine during Thursday’s test day. Ruman then went on to set the second fastest time in each of the two Trans Am practice sessions on Friday held ahead of qualifying.
The positive momentum carried into Saturday’s 20-minute qualifying session in which Ruman put the No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette third on the highly competitive 30-car combined class grid with a fast lap time of 1:49.233-seconds – just .097-seconds off of the pole-setting time.
After such a strong start to the weekend, Ruman Racing targeted a return to the podium in the 101-mile race around the 3.27-mile VIR road course. Ruman opened the race from third on the grid and slotted into second on the first lap. The Ohio-driver was in the midst of a valiant battle for the lead position with Simon Gregg when a gearbox failure saw the No. 23 Corvette forced to retire just three laps into the race.
“I had a good start and I got by Doug (Peterson) going into Turn 3,” said Ruman. “Then Simon (Gregg) and I were running close. I got by him for the lead in the Oak Tree corner but got on the rumble strips and spun the tires and he got a better launch out. He caught back up to me on the back straight and passed me back. Then when I downshifted into Turn 1, something broke in the transmission. I tried to get off the track as fast as I could but had already dropped oil in the brake zone and unfortunately our day was done. It’s a shame because I definitely think I had something for Simon.”
Amy Ruman remains fourth in the Trans Am championship standings with two more rounds yet to run. The Trans Am Series will next travel to Road Atlanta for Round 9 of the championship on November 3.
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 9 – Road Atlanta, Flowery Branch, GA (Nov. 3) || Round 10 – Daytona Beach International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Nov. 17)
Ruman Racing, Inc., is based in Munroe Falls, Ohio.
