• Crandon Brush Run Report – Ruppel Continues to Learn on the Fly

  • Chetek, WI (June 23, 2011) -The process of getting up to speed as a first year PRO-Light can be overwhelming. Then consider the race truck is brand new as both driver and crew chief are learning about the truck and the competition on the fly. To Eric Ruppel is this all part of moving up the ladder to the TORC PRO ranks. With three rounds of racing complete, Eric Ruppel and his #73 Phil’s Inc. McGunegill Engine Performance A & J Landscaping Thompson-Nelson Insurance BFGoodrich Ford Ranger are beginning garner the attention of his fellow competitors. The Potawatomi Brush Run saw Ruppel and his team gather valuable experience both on and off the track.

  • Friday Afternoon Practice & Qualifying
    Ruppel went out for the three lap practice session looking to learn how the truck reacts on the high speed 1.75 mile layout at Crandon International. The truck was working well as Eric was taking a conservative approach to his time on the track. Regardless of his qualifying time, due to his first-year PRO status, the #73 Ford Ranger would be starting from the second row for Saturday’s land rush start.

  • Saturday Round 3
    The land rush start saw several trucks get tangled up as the field came out of Potawatomi Turn One. The incident totally block the track which red an immediate red flag from TORC officials. This stopped the racing action and a complete restart of the race was needed. Eric carefully guided the McGunegill Engine Performance Ford around all the carnage and easily makes it back to the staging area without any damage.

  • The restart saw all but one of the original fifteen PRO-Light trucks take the green flag. This time everyone made it through the first lap without any problems. Eric Ruppel was battling with several drivers in the middle of the pack when on lap 3; the brakes went out on the #73 Ford. Realizing a quick stop in the pits really wouldn’t do much good, Ruppel did the best he could with a not so great situation. When the checkered flag waved Eric Ruppel and his #73 Phil’s Inc. McGunegill Engine Performance A & J Landscaping Thompson-Nelson Insurance BFGoodrich Ford Ranger finished in tenth place.
    “We were runn
  • ing around seventh place very early in the race,” remarked Ruppel. “Then I lost the brake and couldn’t run hard into the corners. Before that happened I was just realizing how much harder you can run these trucks compared to my old Super Stock truck. Overall I’m happy with our result today considering we did it without any brakes. Kramer and the guys will get the brakes fixed for tomorrow and we should have a better result.”

  • Sunday Round 4
    Unfortunately, the second chance at the “Big House” didn’t happen. Heavy overnight rains flooded the front straightaway and made a soupy mess in other areas. TORC officials canceled Round 4.
    Next Race: July 22-23 The Dirt Track @ Charlotte Motor Speedway – Concord, NC
     
    • Eric Ruppel and his team would like to thank all its sponsors including:
    McGunegill Engine Performance
    BFGoodrich Tires
    AMSOIL
    King Shocks
    Trailready
    Phil’s Inc.
    A & J Landscaping
    Thompson-Nelson Insurance
    J & H Transmission
    Eric Ruppel has marketing opportunities for the remainder of the 2011 TORC Series. Interested parties can contact Eric – ericr@frontieragturf.com
    2011 TORC Rounds 1-2
    Red Bud  MX - Buchanan, MI

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