REVISED Qualifying: Ruhlman to start in Fifth
at Road America
Randy Ruhlman will be starting for tomorrow's Trans-Am race in fifth
place. A post qualifying technical inspection found the third place Jaguar
of Jorge Diaz to be illegally low in ride height. He was moved to the rear
of the field and all others moved up, putting Ruhlman on the inside of the
third row.
Revised story follows--
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cristi Brumm Ruhlman
336-210-0980
marketing@ruhlmanmotorsports.com
RUHLMAN FIFTH FOR THE START OF TOMORROW'S ROAD AMERICA 100 TRANS-AM RACE
Elkhart Lake, Wisc. (Aug 23) Randy Ruhlman is poised to repeat his last
race podium finish by qualifying fifth for tomorrow's Trans-Am race for the
BFGoodrich Tires® Cup. Ruhlman, who finished third at the Trois-Rivieres
Trans-Am race on August 2nd, will be starting on the inside of row three
with a time of 2:09.657. Driving his familiar blue and white #49 Preformed
Line Products/Coyote Closure Chevrolet Corvette, Ruhlman prevailed over his
problems of yesterday, during which his two fast practice sessions were each
cut short and followed by an engine change. Last year, Ruhlman finished
sixth in the 100-mile race at Road America after qualifying eighth.
Ruhlman, originally scored sixth, but was moved up to fifth after the Jaguar
of Jorge Diaz, who had been third in qualifying, was disqualified for
illegal ride height.
Today, Ruhlman, the 2002 BBS Wheels "Most Improved Driver of the Year",
overcame the uncertainty of an unfamiliar, borrowed motor to further improve
his time in today's qualifying by over 0.8 seconds in a red flag shortened
session.. Ruhlman is very optimistic about tomorrow's upcoming Trans-Am
race. After qualifying, Ruhlman commented, "The car really was just
getting good. We had about two more fast laps and we had been coming down
in time fast. I messed up a corner on the lap just after my fast one, and
then was perfect on the next lap, when they threw the red flag and stopped
the session short. I know that I left some time out there, but I also know
that it will be there for the race."
Ruhlman continued, "We didn't have to changed the car after practice, the
setup was great. The crew did a fantastic and very professional job all
day, changing my motor twice, and my teammate (for the week) Justin Bell's
once. Both cars were flawless for qualifying. Tomorrow's race is a long
one and it is important to have a car that can make the distance. This
year, for the first time, we are on the 200 soft tires, so tire conservation
will be a big factor at the end of the race. Our setup is good on tires and
fast, so it looks good to get on the podium here. I have been so close too
many times at this track, that I think Road America owes me one
The 25 lap, 101.2-mile race on the 14 turn permanent road course will be run
at 10:45AM CDT tomorrow, Sunday, August 24 and shown at 12:30 EDT on the
Speed Channel.
Ruhlman will be making his 134th 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.
# # #
Cristi Ruhlman
Ruhlman Marketing
336-210-0980 phone
336-282-4949 fax
