Ruhlman announces 2003 Trans-Am plans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
RUHLMAN TO DRIVE FOR DERHAAG MOTORSPORTS IN 2003 TRANS-AM SERIES

 

Greensboro, NC (Feb 12) -- Randy Ruhlman and Derhaag Motorsports will be
joining forces to contest for top honors in the 2003 Trans-Am Series for the
BFGoodrich Tires Cup.  Randy Ruhlman, the 2002 winner of the BBS Wheels
³Most Improved Driver of the Year², will campaign the familiar #49 blue and
white Preformed Line Products/Coyote Closure Chevrolet Corvette.

 

Randy Ruhlman comes off his most successful year ever in 2002. Campaigning
in a Tom Gloy Racing Corvette, Ruhlman finished eighth or better in nine of
the first ten races. Highlights included a second place finish in Trois
Rivieres and a third at the Grand Prix of Miami. Ruhlman, who has 126
Trans-Am starts, will be joining the Derhaag Motorsports team to compete
full time in the 2003 Trans-Am Series.

 

Ruhlman said of his new team and its owner Jim Derhaag, ³This partnership on
track has been a long time coming.  Jim and I have been competitors in
Trans-Am for over a decade. Whether on the track racing against each other
or off the track as owners, we have been friends. Derhaag Motorsports has
developed a reputation of putting together fast, reliable cars that give
their drivers every chance of winning.  I am really pleased to be part of
this team and to be working with Jim and his crew.²

"I couldn't be more pleased to have Randy on board,² said Derhaag. ³He is a
dedicated and disciplined professional who is very serious about his racing
efforts.  I think that our histories of competing against each other
contribute to a synergy we will have as a team.  I'm looking for great
successes in the future."

 

Ruhlman teamed up with Derhaag Motorsports drivers Justin Bell and Simon
Gregg for the first time late last season at the three hour Grand-Am race at
Daytona, producing a season ending podium finish.  This prelude race to the
24Hours of Daytona provided Ruhlman with a hands-on look at the team prior
to joining Derhaag Motorsports for the 2003 Trans-Am season.

 

Derhaag Motorsports has fielded many successful drivers, including top
Trans-Am drivers Justin Bell, Kenny Wilden, Tony Ave, Dorsey Schroeder,
Chris Neville and Darin Brassfield.  Jim Derhaag himself made 150 starts as
a driver in the Trans-Am Series before his successful move to full time
ownership in 1998.

 

Preformed Line Products (PLP) is an international manufacturer and supplier
of hardware and support systems for the communications and energy
industries.  Products include the COYOTE® Closure and GUY-GRIP® Dead-End
used in the telecommunications, cable and energy industries.  Manufacturing
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