Trans-Am driver Ruhlman Sixth at Portland

Ruhlman Qualifies Sixth for Saturdayıs Trans-Am at Portland International
Raceway


Portland, Ore (June 18, 2004) -- Top Trans-Am driver Randy Ruhlman qualified
sixth for tomorrowıs Albertsons Trans-Am 100 at Portland International
Raceway.  With a time of 1:05.059, Ruhlman will be on the outside of row
three, next to former Trans-Am Champion and 1992 and 1993 Trans-Am teammate
Greg Pickett. Ruhlman posted an average speed of 94.438 mph on the 1.969
mile permanent road course.

 

    Following an outstanding practice session, with Ruhlman posting the
second fastest time, the 2002 BBS Wheel Most Improved Driver of the Year
says he is in ³great shape for the race².  ³This track is notorious for its
first lap problems. I am lucky to have one of the cleanest and best drivers
around in Greg [Pickett] next to me.  We will have to keep our eyes out for
the first rows, but I think we all know that you need to make the first
corner to win the race. Both Greg and I are good at working the race and
being there at the end, so it will be fun tomorrow.  I am looking forward to
this race,² continues Ruhlman.



         ³The testing we did has definitely helped settle the car down.
Also since getting the Hewland transmission that is something I now donıt
have to think about. Our car is set up to really be at its prime at the end
of the race, so I am going to do everything I can to be in position to be
there for the podium here,² concludes Ruhlman.

 

    The Albertsons Trans-Am 100 at Portland International Raceway
is scheduled for 51 laps or 75 minutes. Start time is 3:45 PDT with LIVE
television coverage on HDTV network.  A 30 minute show, ³Dangerous Curves²
on Spike TV, will feature race highlights and is scheduled for a Sunday June
20th afternoon broadcast.

 

    Randy Ruhlman finished sixth overall in the Driverıs Championship in
2003 and was seventh overall in 2002 with a second (and a 3rd in 2003) at
Trois Rivieres and third at Miami.  He was named the 2002 ³BBS Wheels Most
Improved Driver of the Year and Randy Ruhlman is sixth overall in Top Ten
finishes in Trans-Am history.

 

    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.

 

    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.

 

 

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CONTACT:

Cristi Brumm Ruhlman

336-210-0980


marketing@ruhlmanmotorsports.com

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