Eric Ruppel ?Loose Cannon Racing ? Crandon II Race Report

Chetek, WI September 8, 2006; Coming into the final weekend of racing for the 2006 CORR Sportsman Stock Truck division, Eric Ruppel and his #837 Phil?s Inc-Truck Stuff, Chetek Off-Road, Art Carr Transmissions, AMSOIL, True Flow, BFGoodrich Tires Ford F-150 had experienced the highs and lows of off-road racing competition. The team, knowing that its primary engine was out of commission, was looking for solid finishes for the weekend.

Saturday - Round 9 The start saw Eric come out of Potawatomi Turn One in seventh place. The immediately the top eight trucks were nose to tail, like a freight train. A slight mistake by anyone would be a major loss of track position. On lap two the race ended for Eric. The truck lost its drive belts. Eric quickly brought the truck to a stop at the pit entrance and then continued back to the trailer.

Saturday night Eric borrowed a set of engine pulleys from friend and Formula 4x4 competitor, Kent Kramer, hoping this would cure his drive belt problem.

Sunday ? Round 10 Sunday morning practice was cancelled so the track workers could perform some added grooming in the Turn One embankment. This left Eric and his Loose Cannon crew in the dark, not knowing if the new pulleys would solve his engine problem.

The land rush start saw Eric come together with another competitor as the two were coming out of Turn One. Somehow Eric kept the truck straight and headed down the front straight. With one lap to go Eric had worked his way into fifth place. Then on the last lap the truck wasn?t pulling out of the corners as well as before and three competitors got by. At the finish Eric was awarded eight place.

?This weekend we did our best, but our engine program just came up a little short. Earlier in the year we could run with the top guys, but our program is short funded. We lost our primary engine halfway through the season, so we put together an engine we could afford and came to compete and still have fun at the same time.?

?Thanks to everyone that has helped us all season along.?

?My family and friends, and Art Carr Transmissions, Phil?s Inc. ? Truck Stuff, AMSOIL, BFGoodrich Tires, True Flow Filters, Summit Racing, Optima Batteries, MSD Ignition, Dynomax, Fox Shox, American Racing, Ringers Gloves, Racing Optics, Alliance Realty ? Kelly Ewert, A & J Landscaping, and Nonemaker Dairy.? - comments from Eric Ruppel.

The final standings had Eric Ruppel tied for seventh place in the 2006 CORR Sportsman Stock Truck standings. In his sophomore season in the division, Eric had one win, and three top five finishes.