Maria Costello MBE brought home the Bob Wylie Racing Triumph 675R in 49^th place today in the Monster Energy TT Supersport 1 race around the daunting 37.73 mile Isle of Man TT circuit. She made it to the finish line after three difficult laps, despite having to deal with an ill handling bike due to a broken steering damper and a seat unit which had detached itself from the bike on lap three.

The post MARIA COSTELLO – TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY AT THE TT appeared first on Female Racing News | News about Women in Motorsports.

Watkins Glen, NY. (10 June 2013) – When the Trans Am Series visited historic Watkins Glen over the weekend, Amy Ruman had been hoping for a strong result in her newly repaired No. 23 McNichols Co. C6 Corvette as she targeted a return to the Watkins Glen podium. She appeared well on her way to do just that after setting the fastest lap of the race as she moved through the field to run second when a mechanical issue on the C6 machine thwarted a promising run for the Ruman Racing team.

The weekend opened with two very wet practice sessions as Ruman worked to dial in the Corvette which had been damaged at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park a few weeks earlier. Ruman Racing had utilized the team’s backup car for the previous round at Lime Rock Park, but had the newer C6 ready to go for Watkins Glen after countless hours of preparation at their Ohio race shop.

Unfortunately, a power steering problem during qualifying on Saturday resulted in Ruman not being able to show the car’s full potential as she slotted into seventh on the grid. But once again the Ruman Racing crew went right back to work and had the car race ready on Sunday.

It was evident right from the drop of the green flag for the 29-lap race that any issues with the No. 23 Corvette had been resolved as Ruman began a charge through the field to run third by the fourth lap. On Lap 7, Ruman moved into second position and began chasing down the leader as she set the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1:51.075-seconds around the legendary 3.4-mile road course.

As she ran less than a second behind the lead car of Doug Peterson, she stretched an eight-second gap over third place and continued extending it for the following five laps to maintain an 18-second margin as she ran at a furious pace.

But the blisteringly fast run was halted on Lap 14 when Ruman was forced to pit lane when the distributor rotor failed. She spent 10 excruciating laps in the pits while the resilient Ruman crew went to work to quickly make repairs and return her to the track in order to gather points toward the championship.

The efficient pit work saw Ruman back on track with four laps remaining in the race but with so much track time lost, she was forced to settle for ninth at the finish.

“It was really disappointing to have something like that take us out because the No. 23 McNichols Corvette was running great and we had a podium car for sure – if not a winning car,” said Ruman. “The team gave me a really competitive racecar so I’m disappointed we couldn’t reward them with a better result. Big props to my crew – they worked nonstop for three weeks back at the shop and at the racetrack. They are so dedicated to me – they really are the best crew ever! I was so disappointed for them yesterday and they continued to work in pit lane and get me back out there! We will regroup for Road America and hopefully I can repay them with a good result there.”

With the ninth place finish, Ruman remains fourth in the Trans Am championship.

Ruman next travels to Road America in two weeks for Round 5 of the championship on Friday, June 21.

Sponsors: McNICHOLS Nationwide Service Centers is the nation’s largest distributor of Perforated and Expanded Metals; Wire Mesh; Bar, Plank, and Safety Gratings; Stair Treads; Matting; and more. Products are carried in all styles and materials–stocked for 24 hour shipment. “Inspired to Serve”™ 800.237.3820 mcnichols.com.Goodyear Tire & Rubber is a Ruman Racing sponsor as well as the Series sponsor.

For quick news and updates during race weekends, please follow Ruman Racing and the Trans Am Series on Twitter: @rumanracing and@gotransam. Be sure to “Like” our official pages on Facebook: Ruman Racing, Amy Ruman (Official Fan Page), McNichols Company, and Go Trans Am.

Race Info/Scoring/Results: www.gotransam.com
Live Timing/Twitter Feed:www.gotransam.com/live-timing-and-scoring/

Looking ahead: Round 5 – Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin (June 21) || Round 6 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio (August 17)
Ruman Racing, Inc., is based in Munroe Falls, Ohio.

The post Ruman Racing Rallies Back at Watkins Glen appeared first on Female Racing News | News about Women in Motorsports.

The 2013 race season was something I was definitely looking forward to. Not only would I be debuting a new color scheme, I would also be teaming up with veteran driver Mark Leach. After doing a bit of pre-season testing, I felt confident. I began the season on April 6 at Cleveland Speedway where I qualified last out of a seventeen car field. Motor technicalities would end my night. The Sunday following the race I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to compete the following weekend if the issues were severe. Luckily, Eagle Race Engines quickly repaired my engine and I was ready to race at Wartburg Speedway the following Saturday night.

Wartburg is what I consider my “home track” so I was very excited to travel to the 1/4 mile dirt oval. I’ve often had a love/hate relationship there. The tight turns can be somewhat intimidating. The track can often dramatically change by the time features begin. I went out to hotlap and the track was still very wet. I knew that it would dry up before qualifying so I didn’t want to make any adjustments quite yet. My qualifying efforts put me starting in the ninth position for the race. After several cautions and two laps to go I found myself in fifth place. On a restart I slid up, allowing two cars to pass me coming to the checkered flag. I was very frustrated as I drove through the pits back to my hauler. When I finally got back to my pit my dad stuck his head in my window and told me that he was very proud of me and that I had just drove the best race of my career. To hear him say that quickly diminished my frustration and made me reminisce on all the good things I had did before that last restart.

A few weeks after that race I found myself back at Wartburg. I was excited as my teammate, Mark Leach, would also be driving that night. Seven o’clock rolled around and hotlaps were underway. After qualifying I was very content with the laps I had laid down. They were the quickest I’d been all season. Once I was in staging for my feature I was focused and ready for a twenty lap battle. Upon rolling onto the track we completed about three “blow off” laps before we lined up to take the green. By lap three I had moved up two positions and I was looking for more. Unfortunately an altercation would happen in front of me that would result with the car racing beside me sending me into the wall unexpectedly. Seeing my car sitting sideways on the front stretch wall brought out many emotions. All of the sacrifices that I’ve made over the years came to mind. I’ve missed graduations, family reunions, prom, and many more things just to race. Also all of the time invested came to mind. I’ve spent so many late nights in my shop working.

As my car was getting hooked to the tractor a quote said by fellow East Tennessee racer Brad Hall stuck with me. In a recent edition of Late Model Illustrated he compared racing to a roller coaster by saying that it can take you to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows very quickly and without warning. I find that to be very true. In my racing career I have felt moments of greatness where everything seemed to be falling into place, and there have also been moments where I have questioned my place in this sport.

I’ve often been told that it isn’t the cards you’re dealt, it’s how you play the game. And that’s what I’ll keep on doing. I’ll keep on playing till I am where I want to be and even at that point I will keep digging.

The post Brianna Kyle Blog: Racing is a Roller Coaster appeared first on Female Racing News | News about Women in Motorsports.

The racing in  Indy Car this season is some of the best I’ve seen in a while. With only one full time female driver in Indy Car this season I was very excited to see them do an Indy Car 36 profile on Simona. If you are unfamiliar with Indy Car 36 it is a show that follows one driver around for the 36 hours prior to and through a race. This one particularly they were with Simona through the race in Brazil on the Streets of Sao Paulo. The show really shows the personality of the drivers they are showcasing and through the trials and triumphs of their weekend. Simona really is such a great lady and such an amazing role model for everyone to look up to. Please watch this episode (22 minutes long no commericals) and get to know Simona and why she’s a great person and driver.

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It is that time of the year that all race car fans long for.  It has been racing season for the past couple of months, but now we are getting into the heart of racing season. It is May and the temperatures in PA are rising, we no longer need to take that winter jacket to the track. The “die-hards” are in the routine of attending races every weekend. The festivities have begun in Indianapolis in preparation for the 500 mile race. And all of this has to mean one thing, it is just about summer!

As a kid I always looked forward to June which marked the end of school. This meant that I no longer had to balance my routine of homework and helping to get the car ready to race. It had always been the rule of my parents that in order to race, good grades were a must. Summer marked that point when I could focus all my time on watching races, and helping dad in the race car shop to learn as much as possible. Today I’m no longer that young girl, but one thing remains the same. I still have to juggle my class work with racing until summer.

School is important in order for me to accomplish my life goals. I am a college student majoring in mechanical engineering, a licensed Realtor, as well as a sprint car driver. So how do I manage to juggle each of these successfully?  Time management, a good support system, and lots of hard work. Nothing worth doing right is ever easy, but saying that hard work pays off couldn’t be more true. Finals week is the best example of how crucial it is to find the perfect balance. Racing is always in the back of my mind, even when I am sitting in front of an open book trying to study for a Machine Design final. So how do I successfully get my studying done and take time to contemplate the lingering” what if “questions about the previous weekends race? Time management.  I plan ahead to study hard for a straight two hours, then help prep the race car for the upcoming race, return phone calls and emails as needed, ad a fitness workout, and then back to studying.  This means each gets done well and, at the end of the day, I feel less stressed knowing I am prepared for my final and the car will be ready for the weekend’s race. If there is something that you strive for you have to work hard for it. I strive to get good grades on all of my finals, and I strive to win the upcoming race.

Everyone has different goals in life, and everyone feels the stress of juggling multiple things at once. No matter what your goal is the most important thing is knowing that it will probably take hard work to achieve it. I put in my time and work hard all week and it isn’t easy or always fun. But at the end of the week I can smile looking at my grades, and I get to fun behind the wheel of my race car.

The post The Month of May: Blog from Brie Hershey appeared first on Female Racing News | News about Women in Motorsports.

Join our Vlogger Lauren Burd on her double header weekend.

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HERNDON, Va. (May 15, 2013) -  It’s not every day that a female wants to become a professional athlete in a male dominated sport, or that one organization would become dedicated to helping female athletes succeed. Beth Chryst is getting that help from Glass Hammer Racing (found on the web at http://BeatByAGirl.org), on her SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup season, starting with her race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, June 14-16.

Chryst, a Washington, D.C. area native, has been chasing her dream for 13 years. The connection with Glass Hammer Racing, through social media, is now in its second year. With race weekend sponsorship, the BeatByAGirl.org support has allowed Chryst to work with an engineer and driver coach – a necessity to enhance any driver’s development.

As part of the partnership, Chryst will serve as a driving instructor for young female racers through the introductory racing experiences developed and conducted by Glass Hammer Racing, to expose young women to motorsports and provide positive female role models as they begin their careers.

“It is an honor to be a part of Glass Hammer Racing for a second season in a row,” Chryst said. “We have put together a really strong plan for the 2013 season to get to the podium. Hard work pays off, and has already started to prove itself in my first pair of races at Sebring in March.”

Chryst has already met with one set of young drivers participating in the Glass Hammer Racing Experience.

“The time I spent instructing young female race car drivers at the Glass Hammer Racing Experience over the winter was an experience I will never forget,” Chryst said. “These girls wanted every ounce of my knowledge and I loved interacting with them.”

Glass Hammer Racing founder and owner, Greg Gaich, commented on Chryst’s career the last few seasons. “We were able to provide a little support for Beth last year, helping her get some of the development opportunities a lot of the other drivers had,” noted Gaich. “For 2013, we laid down the gauntlet and challenged Beth to identify what she needed to make some big leaps in her performance. She laid out a clear plan and we are delighted to be able to help fund some of her top priorities, many of which occur in the long lonely stretches between race weekends. We can’t wait to see the advances she can make with extra testing, coaching, and engineering support the rest of the season.”

As additional support for Glass Hammer Racing drivers, IndyCar driver Pippa Mann joined the organization in June 2012, to serve as a mentor for Glass Hammer Racing drivers. “It was great to meet and talk with Pippa over the winter. My conversations with her during my first races were incredibly helpful,” remarked Chryst. “The opportunity to network with Pippa and the other Glass Hammer Racing drivers has been a wonderful and totally unexpected benefit of my involvement with their organization.”

Chryst will drive the No. 2 BeatByAGirl.org Mazda MX-5 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in June, sharing the weekend with the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, for Rounds Five and Six of the 12-race season.  Chryst’s tentative plans include the Shell Grand Prix of Houston, in support of the IZOD IndyCar Series, and the season finale at Road Atlanta with the American Le Mans Series. The Grand Prix of Houston is a night race, with the course running through the (temporarily closed) streets of Houston.

The SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup made its debut in 2006, and features identical Mazda MX-5’s. The Mazda MX-5 Cup gives drivers the opportunity to run on high-profile weekends in an economical, entry-level racing series. As part of the MAZDASPEED Driver Development Ladder, the MX-5 Cup Champion annually receives a ride higher up the motorsports rung, courtesy of Mazda. For more information, visit www.mx-5cup.com.

Contact Information:

Bethchryst.com

Facebook.com/bethchrystracing

Twitter.com/bethchryst 

beth@bethchryst.com

Contact Information for Glass Hammer Racing:

http://BeatByAGirl.org

facebook.com/glasshammerracing

twitter.com/GlassHamrRacing 

info@beatbyagirl.org

[Photo Credit to Blake Reagan]

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Cobb’s transporter stolen from race shop: On Saturday, May 11, 2013, at around 3:00 AM, the Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing team transporter was stolen from the team’s race shop in Mooresville, N.C. The value with the contents included is well over $250,000. Rowan County Sheriff’s Department and Detective Carl Dangerfield is pursuing leads and has issued arrest warrants in connection with this case. “It is my sole concern to get the transporter back so that we can make Friday night’s Camping World Truck Series race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway,” said Cobb. “We are working with other teams right now to borrow the necessary items in the event our hauler and its contents are not returned. We are pleased with the diligent work that the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department has shown in solving this crime.” Any information on the whereabouts of the stolen property can be directed to the lead investigator, Detective Carl Dangerfield 704-216-8711. (Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing PR)(5-15-2013)
UPDATE: The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said it has issued warrants for the arrest of Mike Joseph Harmon and Sheila Rae Rice for felony larceny and breaking and entering in connection with the case. It values the hauler and contents at $279,000. Harmon, a NASCAR driver and team owner primarily in the Nationwide Series, has worked with Cobb in the past. Harmon used to be the team manager for Cobb’s Nationwide team.(Sporting News)(5-15-2013)

05/15/13 5:49pm: We have confirmed this information with the team as to be correct at this given time. We will update this post with information as we receive it. This information was taken from a post on Jayski I seen no reason to rewrite it. 

05/15/13 6:35pm: Any information on the whereabouts of the stolen property can be directed to the lead investigator, Detective Carl Dangerfield 704-216-8711.

05/15/13 9:56pm: Mike Harmon and Sheila Rae Rice were arrested and have posted bond. The hauler is still missing, NC Tag# DT-74479 if they are still on it. Here’s pictures of the rig:

The post Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing Hauler Stolen appeared first on Female Racing News | News about Women in Motorsports.

Last night (May 1st 2013) we had an outstanding episode of Behind the Helmet. In case you missed it here it is for your viewing pleasure.

We had three amazing guests, including Jennifer Jo Cobb, Katherine Legge and Michele Abbate. These three ladies all have very different racing backgrounds and they had some amazing stories to tell. We learned a lot about them and are excited to share the video of the time we had with them. Katherine did have to leave out of the show early to get on another call. I will update this post with her answers to the questions she missed once she has returned them to me.

Who would you like to see on the show next?

Katherine’s Missed Questions:

FRN: If you could win any race in the world, what would it be?

FRN: Your perfect sponsor? 

The post Behind the Helmet LIVE Episode 4 appeared first on Female Racing News | News about Women in Motorsports.

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