Podium in sight after qualifying at Trois Rivieres

Trois-Rivieres, Quebec (Aug 1) ­ Randy Ruhlman is poised to repeat his
podium performance of last year at the BFGoodrich Trans-Am race which will
be held tomorrow as part of the 2003 Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres.  After
two fast practice sessions and steadily improving lap times, Ruhlman, in his
familiar blue and white #49 Preformed Line Products Canada/Coyote Closure
Chevrolet Corvette, will be starting on the inside of row four in seventh
position with a time of 1:05.032. Last year, Ruhlman finished second in the
100-mile race at Trois-Rivieres after qualifying eighth.

 

    The 2002 BBS Wheels ³Most Improved Driver of the Year² Randy Ruhlman
finished last year¹s race just behind his Tom Gloy Racing Corvette teammate
Butch Leitzinger.  Ruhlman is very optimistic about tomorrow¹s upcoming
BFGoodrich Trans-Am race.

 

      Ruhlman, who joined Derhaag Motorsports for the 2003 season, said
after qualifying, ³We changed the car after practice. And I think it did
make it better. There are a few things we will adjust, but it is consistent
and fast.  Of course, I would have liked to show what we could do in
qualifying, but tomorrow¹s race is a long one and it is just as important to
have a car that can make the distance, than it is to have pure speed.  Not
that I would say no to the pole, but we didn¹t want to put too many miles on
the soft tires that are on the car.  We actually did a couple of extra laps,
but the times just weren¹t there for qualifying.²

 

            ³Now for the race, I know the car will be there, especially at
the end.  If we can stay out of the first lap mess and keep with the front
group, I have no doubt that we will be up front at the checkered flag.  We
have always been in position at the end here. I am going to everything I can
to make this race a win.² states Ruhlman.

 

            The 66 lap, 100 mile race on the 9 turn temporary street course
will be run at 1PM EDT tomorrow Saturday, August 2 and shown Live on Speed
Channel.  While at the track, Preformed Line Products Canada is looking
forward to entertaining its guests and long time supporters at the Saturday
race at Trois Rivieres.  Preformed Line Products Canada is located in
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

 

    Ruhlman will be making his 133rd start in Trans-Am in a Chevrolet
Corvette fielded this year by the Minneapolis-based, Derhaag Motorsports
team, led by former Trans-Am driver Jim Derhaag. Jim Derhaag himself made
150 starts as a driver in the Trans-Am Series before his successful move to
full time ownership in 1998.  The team has fielded many successful drivers,
including top Trans-Am drivers Justin Bell, Kenny Wilden, Tony Ave, Dorsey
Schroeder, Chris Neville and Darin Brassfield.

 

    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
facilities are located worldwide in the USA, Canada, China, Brazil, Mexico,
England, Spain, South Africa, Australia and Japan.