TRANS-AM VETERAN RANDY RUHLMAN VOTED 2005 BBS MOST IMPROVED DRIVER

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 13, 2005) -- Randy Ruhlman has been named the 2005 Trans-Am Series‚ BBS Most Improved Driver in a vote by his fellow competitors. Ruhlman, who finished a career-best second in points this season in the No. 49 Preformed Line Products Chevrolet Corvette, earned the honor for the second time, after winning in 2002.

Ruhlman had a nearly picture-perfect season in 2005. He started off by earning his first career victory in the season opener at Long Beach and backed that up with a thrilling back-to-front win at Cleveland. Ruhlman’s consistency showed as he completed all but one lap this season and he led the points for the most of the year.

“I have mixed emotions; I’ve been doing this for so long, you’d think I’d have figured out how to do this right by now,” laughed Ruhlman, who completed his 15th season of Trans-Am competition in 2005. “Seriously, though, we’ve learned so much over the past three years with the Derhaag Motorsports team, and this award really belongs to them. Earning this award twice in four years says more about the team than the driver.  

“It’s always special when other competitors take notice of your success,” added Ruhlman.  “Racing is a very selfish sport. Week in and week out, you’re doing it for yourself, your team and your sponsor, so for others to notice means a lot. The group of drivers that competed in 2005 was one of the most talented Trans-Am has seen in a long time. The overall count may have been down, but the talent level was unprecedented. To be in the company of those drivers and to have their approval, makes this a true honor.”

Ruhlman is among an elite group of drivers who have won the award, which includes Johnny Miller, Joey Scarallo, Tomy Drissi, John Baucom and Ruhlman’s team owner Jim Derhaag. The award was first given in 1982, and is determined in a vote by those competitors who raced in at least half of the events this year.

As part of the award, Ruhlman will receive a set of BBS alloy wheels, as well as a BBS Wheels glass coffee table. By using exacting standards, and with more than 30-plus years in the motorsports industry, BBS Wheels has grown to be one of the major leaders in providing wheels that are both innovative and high quality. BBS continues to have a high profile in the Trans-Am Series with the bulk of its teams using BBS Wheels on their race cars.

The Trans-Am Series features closed-fendered, production-based, V-8-powered sports cars, competing on permanent road courses, and temporary street and airport circuits throughout North America. The Trans-Am Series is America’s oldest continuously running road racing series and celebrated its 40th consecutive year of competition in 2005.