Rum Bum Racing Punted Off During Charge to Front

Rum Bum Racing Punted Off During Charge to Front

ALTON, Va., 14 May – After their qualifying struggles, the Rum Bum Racing squad vowed to find an overnight solution enabling them to charge to the front of the field. At the start of the GRAND-AM Continental Sports Car Challenge Bosch Engineering 200, they did just that, only to have it come to shuddering end in the tire barrier with only 30 minutes left to race.

Following a long caution period, Matt Plumb was behind the wheel with set of new tires and full tank of fuel, ready to run to the finish. Running in 10th place, after having led four laps prior to pitting, Plumb had his sights set on ninth place entering turn 1 of Virginia International Raceway.

Coming off the brakes just before the turn apex, Plumb felt a wallop from behind thanks to the No. 15 Mustang machine that struck the No. 13 Rum Bum Racing BMW M3 with a good head of speed. The impact accelerated Plumb directly off-track and onto the rain-moistened grass sending him sideways into the wall at high speed.The M3 sustained significant damage in the process.

“I was just lifting off the brakes when I got plowed into from behind,” said a disappointed Plumb who emerged unscathed from the impact. “We had a great start, we led the race, we were good to the end on tires and fuel. I think we had a top-5 finish, easy, and a podium was certainly achievable.”

Despite the handling issues that had plagued the No. 13 since the start of the weekend, the gray morning started brightly for Rum Bum Racing. Plumb set the third quickest time in the morning warm up, which bode well for the race.

At the start, Nick Longhi was at the controls. He soon began to gain positions, rising to seventh position before pitting to hand over to Plumb during the first caution period.

An excellent stop put Plumb in great track position and he soon began to make hay. A second caution period briefly intervened, but by the time the racing began again in earnest, Plumb had moved into third place. Just before half distance, the No. 13 was in the lead, where he would stay until the next pit stop on lap 31. Following the final pit stop, Plumb reemerged in good track position, which turned out all for naught.

With a heavily damaged race car, the Rum Bum Racing crew will return to their Florida base and rebuild for the next round in two weeks at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut.

The No. 13 also ran today with a tribute to long-time friend and colleague Sid Brenner, who passed away earlier this week. He will be missed, but not forgotten. RIP, Sid.

The television broadcast of the Bosch Engineering 200 airs May 22nd at 1:00 PM EDT on SPEED. Rum Bum on FaceBook at facebook.com/rumbumracing.
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