This report is drawn from sources available to the public at large. Viewpoints expressed herein are solely those of the writer, in part assisted by AI.
For those who have followed the sport, there is plenty to like about the Racing Ruman family, make no mistake about it.
Amy Ruman is a role model in the true spirit of the Corvette, earned by doing a lot more with a lot less.
Her best was winning the Trans Am Series championship 2 years in a row in 2015 and 2016.
She did it with grace and humility, out of a modest shop located in rust belt Ohio with loving family support more than anyone could dream of.
And by keeping her cool, in one instance a target of road rage that was ultimately followed by an apology.
So, what might we expect to come in these fast times.
Let’s look into the current state of Trans Am Series, the arena chosen by Ruman Racing.
Dinosaurs” still rule the roost in the top-level TA class. Amy Ruman’s re-bodied 2017 C7 is the only Corvette still out there. It has an 850+ hp RO6 NASCAR engine fed by a massive carburetor bolted into a tube frame chassis enveloped with a silhouette body.
Newer Mustangs and Camaros fielded by owners with deeper pockets are faster by about 2 seconds per lap. Grids of 20 cars were once common. Now we are lucky to see six cars and maybe half with a clear shot to win.
The Trans Am series has weathered many storms over time. The series exists today because of TA2 class cars that are a lot easier on the budget, namely Camaros, Mustangs and Toyotas built on a spec chassis. Grids have reached 50 TA2 cars, racing door-to-door, some piloted by teenagers entering the ranks of pro racing.
To make things worse, Amy is still feeling the effects after two surgeries from a freak accident 6 months ago that happened of all places, at home. Now a wreck at Road America and a DNS at Watkins Glen leaves her in a quandary.
These setbacks have not stopped her from managing team logistics, corporate sponsorships, marketing strategies, driver development and more as told to Allen Bestwick, the “voice of Trans Am”.
If you look at the big picture, Amy Ruman has what it takes to make an impact beyond the racetrack.
You don’t need to be a Roger Penske or a Rick Hendrick to be a great leader.
Adversity can be a wonderful time to get on with her life’s work. As we said, there is plenty to like.
Photos courtesy of Chris Clark.