Munroe Falls, Ohio – After a strong start and taking home a third place finish in the 2020 season opener at Sebring International Raceway in February, Amy Ruman and the Trans Am Series will finally be resuming racing at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio this weekend. After four long months of a pause in the season due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, Ruman and the team are eager to get back to the business of racing.
The two-time Trans Am Champion could not be happier that the first race back will be at her “home track” Mid-Ohio. Round 2 of the 2020 Trans Am Championship presented by Pirelli will be running in conjunction with the SVRA Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio, a new partner series for the Ohio event, along with slating the race earlier in the season. In 2019, Ruman finished just shy of the podium in fourth place. While through the years she has faced many trials and tribulations at the track she calls home, this year she is optimistic about the chance to land a top spot on the podium.
Though it appeared there would be a new landscape for the race weekend—with no fans allowed to be in attendance—the Mid-Ohio team worked diligently with the State of Ohio to gain approval to re-open the facility to spectators. Last-minute approval came late Monday night by the State to now allow spectators to attend at the event. Prior to this announcement, the Trans Am PR team caught up with Ruman for a pre-race statement:
“I’m so happy and excited to finally get back to racing, I know I’m not the only one,” Ruman said. “The Sebring race seems so long ago – I feel like we’re starting a whole new TA season. Hopefully, we can continue our podium momentum here at my home track Mid-Ohio. My crew took advantage of the off time and made some changes to the No. 23 McNichols/Cornertech Chevrolet Corvette so I’m confident we will have a good car for the upcoming race weekend. Things will definitely be different at the track and I’m extremely disappointed there will be no spectators and a hometown crowd to race in front of, but right now safety is key for all of us. I’m glad the race will be streamed on the new Trans Am Series Racing App and online so people can tune in and watch the race as it happens!”
Dan Binks, Corvette Racing’s former Crew Chief who recently retired from GM’s factory Pratt & Miller team, will be joining Ruman Racing’s efforts this weekend. Binks’ 38-year winning racing history throughout Trans Am, ALMS, IMSA, and FIA WEC speaks for itself, and the team is honored to have him onboard. Binks has switched gears and shifted his attention to running his own automotive performance and restoration shop in addition to continuing supporting his long-time favorite charity, Camp Anokijig in Wisconsin.
“I’m privileged to have Dan working with us this weekend, we go way back as friends and competitors. He was the Crew Chief for Roush and Tommy Kendall when I started racing in Trans Am in the 90’s. His success on and off the track are legendary and I couldn’t be happier to be collaborating with him,” stated Bob Ruman.
Forty-one competitors are entered across all classes for the weekend at the 2.258-mile legendary road course in Lexington, Ohio, with thirteen running in Ruman’s TA class. Testing, practices, and qualifying will take place Thursday thru Sunday. The TA/XGT/SGT/GT feature race will be Saturday, June 27th at 1:25pm followed by the TA2® race Powered by AEM on Sunday at 1:45pm ET, both races are 46-laps. Please visit gotransam.com or svra.com for tickets, schedules, and all other weekend information.
DOWNLOAD THE NEW TRANS AM BY PIRELLI RACING APP: By downloading the app, fans can access exclusive Trans Am content, watch LIVE streaming of the races, follow their favorite drivers through the field by switching from six different camera angles, access live timing and scoring, and keep up with the latest news and download the event program.
The LIVE stream will also be available on the series Facebook page The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli and the Trans Am Series YouTube channel.
Ernie Francis Jr. leads the TA class championship after Round 1 with 35 points, followed by Tomy Drissi in second – 27, Amy Ruman in third – 27, Humaid Al Masaood in forth – 23, and Simon Gregg sits in fifth – 21 points.
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 | sales@mcnichols.com
Dream, Design, Deliver with Cornertech CNC Manufacturing Solutions. Whether it’s metals or plastics, Cornertech converts product concepts into tailored manufacturing solutions. Cornertech partners with manufacturers, designers, and engineers to ensure that optimal product quality and performance is attained.
813.425.2108 | cornertech.com | sales@cornertech.com
For quick news and updates during race weekends, please follow us on all social media! Twitter: @rumanracing, @mcnicholsco, and @gotransam. Facebook: Ruman Racing, Amy Ruman (Official Fan Page), McNichols Company, Cornertech Inc., and The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli.
Ruman Racing, Inc., is based in Munroe Falls, Ohio.
