Miami Trans-Am final

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MOTOROCK TRANS-AM TOUR DRIVER RANDY RUHLMAN SEES TOUGH BREAK AT MIAMI GRAND
PRIX

 

Miami, FL (Sept 27)  -- The 2002 Trans-Am Series ³Most Improved Driver of
the Year² Randy Ruhlman returned today to the downtown street course in
Miami in an attempt to defend his last year¹s Trans-Am third place finish.
Unfortunately, Ruhlman¹s day was cut short when he clipped a wall at turn
three on lap 11.  Returning to the track following a changed left front
tire, Ruhlman was able to continue his fast pace.  He eventually was forced
to retire, when further damage was seen upon a return to the pits.

 

³We did what we could to be fast and stay away from the walls, but I needed
to get close to the walls in turn 2,3, and 4. That was where the grip was on
the track.  I just got in to close and clipped the front pretty hard.  It
didn¹t feel too bad when I went back out.  As a matter of fact, I thought I
would be able to catch some of these guys.  A yellow flag came out in a few
laps and we decided to come in and check things out more carefully.  That is
when I got the bad news.  It was not safe to go back out, things were pretty
messed up.  It is the worst feeling to have to get out of the car, when you
just know you could be up there fighting for the podium,² said Ruhlman.

 

³I was pretty excited about the race today. I had a good shot at getting up
to fifth overall in the points with a good finish here.  And I think a top
three was a real definite possibility, too.  Now, I think we also dropped
out of sixth overall, too.  We will just have to see what we can do at the
new course in Puerto Rico,² continued Ruhlman.

 

The 4:00 EDT race was scheduled 87 laps of the 1.15-mile track, but due to
the many yellow flag laps, it went the regulation 75 minute maximum.  The
Miami race will air on Speed, tape-delayed on Oct. 10 at 9PM EDT.

 

Ruhlman fell back to seventh overall with today¹s 16th place finish.  He is
currently seven points out of sixth in the Driver¹s Championship. The
MotoRock Trans-Am Tour for the BFGoodrich Tires® Cup will travel for its
final race to San Juan Puerto Rico on October 26th.

 

The Trans-Am Series recently named MotoRock LLC as their new title sponsor.
The theme of ³Cars, Stars, and Guitars² debuted 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.

 

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

 

         ³It is a unique opportunity for Trans-Am to generate an increased
fan base and open new avenues for sponsors,² says veteran driver Randy
Ruhlman.  ³I cannot think of a better way to get things going for MotoRock
than with a return to the streets of Miami.  The Elton John concert last
night was phenomenal and the visibility that this type of association gives
Trans-Am is something the Series has needed for quite some time,² continues
Ruhlman.  ³The effort we have seen here at Miami by MotoRock is first rate,
and it looks to continue to grow and attract a varied crowd to the Trans-Am
events.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.

 

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CONTACT:

Cristi Brumm Ruhlman

336-210-0980


marketing@ruhlmanmotorsports.com

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