Loose Cannon Racing at Crandon

June 27, 2005
For Immediate Release
Chetek, WI

Rookie Eric Ruppel Fighting Engine Woes

Eric Ruppel is in his first season as a CORR Sportsman Stock Truck competitor. The past few years, Eric competed in the Johnsonville Formula 4x4 series held in Northern Wisconsin. 

So far this year, Eric and his  #837 Amsoil, Phil’s Inc. BFGoodrich Tire, Swant Graber Ford F-150 has shown the ability to run with the perennial front-runners of the class, only to suffer engine problems. Unfortunately the engine problems continued at the Forest County Potawatomi Casino Brush Run held in Crandon, Wisconsin.

Round 5
The land rush start saw 13 trucks head for the Forest County Potawatomi Turn One with Eric in sixth place. Quickly he made the pass for fifth and began chase after the fourth place truck of Don Domeny. As the laps went by, the mud began to restrict the radiator causing the engine to overheat. Eric made a quick pit stop to add coolant and clean the radiator. Unfortunately this caused the team to drop way back in the order. At the checkered flag, Eric finished 9th.

Round 6
Round 6 was almost an exact repeat of Round 5. The radiator became restricted, the engine was overheating, and a pit stop was made to correct the problem. In the end Eric finished a disappointing 10th.

“Every weekend I learn a little more about driving this two-wheel drive truck. We show everyone we can compete with the best in the class; unfortunately we are having engine problems. For Crandon we borrowed a motor, because the one that went terminal at Antigo just wasn’t ready. The level of competition in CORR is incredible. As a driver you must always bring your a-game and a race truck that’s 100% ready to compete. We will have our cooling problems cured and our new powerplant ready to go for Topeka.” – Eric Ruppel

At the halfway point in the season Eric Ruppel and Loose Cannon Racing are in eighth place overall in the Lucas Oil CORR Sportsman Stock Truck Division.

Next Race - July 8-9, the Toyo Tires Off-Road Championships at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas.