MOTOROCK TRANS-AM TOUR DRIVER RANDY RUHLMAN SET TO DEFEND PODIUM AT MIAMI GRAND PRIX

 

Greensboro, NC (Sept 24)  -- The 2002 Trans-Am Series ³Most Improved Driver
of the Year² Randy Ruhlman returns this weekend to the downtown Miami street
course to defend his last year¹s Trans-Am third place finish.  Ruhlman, the
highest finishing returning driver, is currently sixth overall in points in
the newly named MotoRock Trans-Am Tour for the BFGoodrich Tires® Cup.

 

         The Trans-Am Series recently named MotoRock LLC as their new title
sponsor.  The theme of ³Cars, Stars, and Guitars² will debut its full
program at the Miami venue with a joint race/concert promotion featuring the
music of rock superstar Elton John and the roar of American engine thunder
from the Trans-Am Series cars.  This multi-year deal has joined concert
level promotion with the unique entertainment of an up-close motorsports
event.  

 

         ³It is a unique opportunity for Trans-Am to generate an increased
fan base and open new avenues for sponsors,² says Ruhlman, who is making his
135th start in Trans-Am this weekend.  ³I cannot think of a better way to
get things going for MotoRock than with a return to the streets of Miami.
The concert and the visibility that this type of association gives Trans-Am
is something the Series has been needing for quite some time,² continues
Ruhlman.

 

³I am looking forward to getting out there on the streets of Miami and
driving this track.  Last year, there were some really slippery portions.
As a matter of fact, we all even named one section last year ³The Skating
Rink², because it had so little traction. This year, they have done some
reconfiguration and removed that section, but otherwise it looks like last
year.  It will be tight and, as usual, with street courses, difficult to
pass, but it should be fun to be back and see what we can do.  I think we
definitely have shown we have what it takes to be back on the podium again
this week,² remarks Randy Ruhlman.

 

The 4:30 EDT race is scheduled 83 laps of the 1.15-mile track.  The Miami
race will air on Speed, tape-delayed on Oct. 10 at 9PM EDT. Ruhlman is
currently sixth in driver¹s championship points with two races remaining.
He has moved steadily forward after a difficult start to the season.  The
MotoRock Trans-Am Tour for the BFGoodrich Tires® Cup will travel for its
final race to San Juan Puerto Rico on October 26th.

 

³MotoRock is a new generation of pop culture that blends cars, stars and
guitars,² said MotoRock Chairman and CEO Jamie Rose.  ³MotoRock is a series
of live events that showcase the excitement of motorsports, music and
lifestyle, while delivering a unique new form of broadcast entertainment
programming.  It¹s the new breed of speed.  By integrating music, lifestyle
and entertainment, MotoRock hopes to bring a new audience to the thrill of
motorsports, as well as a dramatically enhanced opportunity for media
partners and corporate sponsors at every level.²

 

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.

 

Ruhlman's Chevrolet Corvette is 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.

 


www.ruhlmanmotorsports.com <http://www.ruhlmanmotorsports.com/>