Corvettes outclassed in Trans Am at Indy
The TA Corvettes of Amy Ruman # 23 and Richard Grant # 30 are losing ground to the fresher Mustangs of Dyson Racing and Camaro-bodied entries from Claudio Burtin and Milton Grant.
As in past seasons, the popular Ruman Racing Team aims to finish in the top 5 by doing the full 11-race schedule across the country, supported by the McNichols Company, a nationwide metals supplier.
Amy expressed gratitude to her dad Bob on Father’s Day. “I can’t thank my father enough for being such a great role model and inspiration to me throughout my life. I am fortunate to have worked side-by-side with him in business and in racing. His love of the Trans Am Series, Corvettes, and racing set the tone for where I wanted to be. I have learned so much from his tireless efforts, from working on the car, data, engineering, coaching, and even body work!”
Some observers at Indy felt that Ruman was a bit down on power where she and Grant finished 7th and 9th (last) in the TA class.
Ricky Sanders from Stockbridge GA running in the SGT class, switched from Porsche to his # 18 C6 Corvette and was leading until his hood flew off on lap 8 of the scheduled 42 laps.
Ruman, from Stow OH is the only Corvette entered on back-to-back weekends at Mid-Ohio, her “home” track so to speak.
Teammates Matt Brabham and Chris Dyson dominated 1-2 in their Mustangs sponsored by Gym Weed, a health drink infused with cannabis that I sampled at Lime Rock.
Photos thanks to Chris Clark
On an up-note, Jim Heck in his # 64 Corvette beat out a trio of Texas Corvettes of Joe Robeau, Jim Sandberg, Steve Cole to win his class in SVRA Group 6 Vintage race on Sunday.
Jim who hails from Findlay OH is also headed for Mid-Ohio, also his “home” track so to speak.
On a sad note, our good friend Mark Rife from Dayton OH and the Villages in FL, battled kidney disease and died from complications after a fall. Mark was an accomplished racer and car-builder. Knowledgeable folks might look to carry on with his 1969 C3 # 17 which could soon be on the market.
