Grand-Am

SCC: Birmingham: Rum Bum Racing preview

Rum Bum Racing Ready for Redemption at Barber Looking for a little bit of luck down South... LEEDS, AL., 7 April-With just over one month between rounds two and three of the 2010 GRAND-AM Continental Tires Sports Car Challenge, the drivers and ...

Edited: Apr 8, 2010, 1:31 AM

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Rum Bum Racing Ready for Redemption at Barber

Looking for a little bit of luck down South...

LEEDS, AL., 7 April-With just over one month between rounds two and three of the 2010 GRAND-AM Continental Tires Sports Car Challenge, the drivers and teams are geared up to return to race action this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park.

But after a heartbreaking race outing at Homestead Miami Speedway, there is probably no group more anxious to get back to the track and get racing than Rum Bum Racing as the team looks to right the wrong that was dealt by Lady Luck in south Florida.

Even though the Homestead Miami race was but his second start in the pro ranks, young Gian Bacardi once again looked like an ace as he posted his second consecutive strong drive through the field, taking the green flag and moving up to fifth place before turning the car over to Plumb.

Plumb put the excellent track position to good use, moving to the front of the pack as the team looked well on its way to a second consecutive victory. But the dream day turned into a nightmare when contact with another car left Plumb unsighted, the day was done in dramatic fashion as the Rum Bum BMW M3 made contact with the pit lane wall, ending the chance at an encore victory.

But for the Joe Varde-led squad, that is all in the rear view mirror as Rum Bum Racing will arrive at beautiful Barber Motorsports Park with a BMW M3 that is back in perfect form and ready to go the distance in Saturday's 2.5-hour Barber 250.

"It was devastating what happened at Homestead, but the car is back together and we are set for the race this weekend, but that was a tough one," said Plumb. "This championship is so competitive, you have to make the most of every weekend. But we can't focus on that, we just have to do what we've done the last two races. Having the performance that we've had right out of the box, we just have to keep our momentum going. Gian has raised a lot of eyebrows with the job he's done in the races, and hopefully we can get back to where we need to be in the championship with a good points weekend."

Part of the challenge that young Bacardi faces during the 2010 season will be coming to grips with some new facilities on the schedule as he contests his rookie season. But fortunately, Barber Motorsports Park isn't one of them, as the Floridian has raced in club competition at the track, and also got his first taste of the BMW M3 V8 power at the 2.3-mile, 17-turn track in testing.

"I am really looking forward to getting back to the track and racing this weekend because it has felt like a long time off!" said Bacardi. "Homestead was a pretty big disappointment, but that's just racing. You just have to move on to the next one. Barber is a really technical track and I think it's a perfect place for this M3. We've got a really balanced car and that's going to be key this weekend because you spend so much time in the corners, and you have to be able to get the power down for a good lap. Hopefully we can do what we did at Daytona and Homestead, and just avoid any bad luck!"

-source: rum bum racing

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