For Immediate Release: May 17, 2011
Contact: Amy Ruman 330.813.2323 cell
Munroe Falls, OH – The Ruman Racing team had a challenging weekend at the SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series Round 3 race at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) as part of the Bosch Engineering Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Weekend.
Amy Ruman started off well with two strong practice sessions where she placed 4th. But trouble began on lap two in qualifying when Ruman slid off track and made contact with the tire barrier on the outside of turn 17. She was able to continue to pit lane and then quickly get back on track, just as a red flag came out that ultimately ended the session – putting Ruman 16th on the grid with only one timed lap.
The crew fixed the damage, and got her back out for Sunday mornings warm up session. Ruman ran a few laps to shake down the car for the race, when something broke on the back straight. The crew assessed what they originally thought to be a broken rear differential, but found that the rear lower suspension bracket had broken. With a very short window, the team had to weld and fix the bracket, but they were able to get to the grid for the race.
“We knew something caused me to sail off the track, but everything checked out after qualifying. Good thing we had the warm up before the race,” stated Ruman.
It was 80 degrees and sun was shining for the start of the 100 mile/31-lap race on Sunday. Ruman started from the back of the Trans-Am field, but quickly moved up to 8th position and counting when she started losing power in the car. She turned off everything electrical to try and save as much power as possible. The crew had to call her in under green flag conditions to make a battery change hoping that would solve the problem. While in the pits, a double yellow flag condition occurred, but not soon enough and she fell three laps down. Ruman was able to rejoin the field before going back to green. From then on Ruman was on a mission and passed the entire field except the leader Tony Ave before the checkered flag flew. She finished the race in 10th place in Trans-Am.
“What a frustrating weekend,” exclaimed Ruman. “Nothing seemed to fall our way here at VIR. It is a shame that the alternator quit, because this #23 McNichols/Goodyear/Cenweld Corvette was on fire when we had power! I have to thank my crew because they worked their tails off to get me back on track every time.”
McNichols Co., headquartered in Tampa, FL, is the largest U.S. distributor of “Hole” products with service centers across North America. McNichols’ product selection is the most diverse in the industry. McNichols stocks perforated products, both metal and plastic. A toll free number 800-237-3820 connects you to the McNichols Co. distributor in your area and the company’s extensive website,www.mcnichols.com, has online customer service and online ordering.
For quick news and updates during race weekends, please follow Ruman Racing and the Trans-Am Series on Twitter @rumanracing and @TransAmSeries. Be sure to “Like” our official pages on Facebook: Ruman Racing, Amy Ruman (Official Fan Page), McNichols Company, and Trans-Am Racing.
UPCOMING RACES:
May 20-22 – Amy Ruman in Trans-Am Round 4 at Mosport International Raceway
May 20-22 – Niki Ruman in SCCA Spec Racer National at Summit Point, WV
