Ruppel Edges Up in Championship Standings
 

Chetek, WI (August 20, 2007) - Eric Ruppel went back to Bark River International Raceway with only one thought on his mind, finish on the podium. The previous two rounds of racing saw the team battle rear axle housing issues and after some discussions, an improved unit was installed in the Ford F-150.

Saturday - Round 7
The Saturday morning practice session saw Eric and his #837 Art Carr Transmission, Phil’ Inc., BFGoodrich Tire, Halama Synthetics, A & J Landscape, Chetek Off-Road, Ford F-150 top the lap charts.

The fourteen truck field took the green flag with Eric coming out of Armed Forces Turn One in fourth place. Much of the nine lap event saw Eric and his Art Carr Transmission Ford battle with #841, Jason Bort. With two laps to go, Eric made the pass stick, as his BFGoodrich Tires put the truck into third place. At the finish it was Konitzer-1st, Kleiman-2nd, and Eric Ruppel -3rd.

“We really had some fun racing with Jason today,” commented Eric Ruppel. “We changed some things on the rear suspension for this weekend and it really helped. We still have some work to do, but the truck is much easier to drive. Thanks to Halama Synthetics, the AMSOIL they provide us kept all our temps cool, our Art Carr transmission never missed a beat, and the BFGoodrich tires really worked great today. They were all key for us getting on the podium.”

Sunday - Round 8
The land rush start had Eric in second place just behind #863 Al Konitzer. Immediately Eric had to fend off regular Super Truck racer, Dan Baudoux, who was driving in place of the injured Rod Wells. For five laps Eric and Baudoux battled for the second position. Then, on lap 5, as the two trucks came to the double jump before the Cemetery Turn, Baudoux tried to make an inside pass on Eric. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough room, and Baudoux’s truck landed on the side of Eric’s truck. This flattened the right front tire on the Art Carr, Phil’s Inc., BFGoodrich Tire, Ford F-150. The ensuing stop in the hot pit for a tire change put the team one lap down. At the finish Eric was credited with an eleventh place finish.

Afterwards a very disappointed Eric Ruppel commented:
“What was Baudoux thinking, I was driving my line and he just tried to put his truck where there wasn’t any room. He’s filling in for Rod, so the championship isn’t part of his plan. This really hurt our chances to move up into the top three for the championship. The truck was just awesome today. Unfortunately we were taken out by no fault of our own. I don’t think I’ll send Dan a Christmas card this year.”

Currently Eric Ruppel has moved up to sixth overall in the standings for the 2007 WSORR Stock Truck Championship standings.

Next Race: August 31- September 2, BorgWarner Off-Road Championships from Crandon, Wisconsin.

Ruppel Motorsports thanks all his supporters, including:
Art Carr Transmission,
Chetek Off-Road,
Phil’s Inc. – Auto Parts Warehouse,
BFGoodrich Tires,
Optima Batteries,
True Flow Air Filters,
Fox Shox,
Trail Ready Beadlocks,
R & R Crane Services,
Ringers Gloves,
MSD Ignition,
Team Tech Motorsports, and
Summit Racing.

 

To contact Eric Ruppel at Chetek Off-Road. Call (715) 924-2729 or email: rupe@chibardun.net