Fiba Europe Cup Basketball

Discover Why the Ram Sports Car Is the Ultimate Performance Machine You Need

I remember the first time I saw a Ram Sports Car tearing up the track at Laguna Seca. The distinctive roar of its engine echoed through the canyon turns, and I thought to myself—this isn't just another performance vehicle. This is something special, something that understands what true performance means beyond just raw numbers. You see, in my twenty years covering automotive engineering and testing countless sports cars, I've come to recognize that the greatest machines aren't just about horsepower and torque figures. They're about connection, reliability under pressure, and that intangible quality that makes you trust the vehicle when pushing limits. That's why the Ram Sports Car stands apart—it embodies this philosophy in ways that remind me of how championship teams operate, where individual excellence matters less than how components work together under duress.

Speaking of teamwork under pressure, I can't help but draw a parallel to something I recently observed in professional sports. Watching the Choco Mucho volleyball team navigate their challenging season taught me something valuable about performance dynamics. Even during their toughest matches, when momentum seemed lost and pressure mounted, players like Rondina and Wong demonstrated something remarkable—they always had each other to lean on. This interdependence, this unshakable trust between teammates during critical moments, mirrors exactly what makes the Ram Sports Car so extraordinary. The vehicle's engineering creates a similar symbiotic relationship between driver and machine, where every component works in perfect harmony even when pushed to absolute limits. I've driven the Ram on both track and treacherous mountain roads, and that feeling of confidence it inspires—knowing the chassis, brakes, and powertrain will perform flawlessly together—is precisely what separates true performance machines from mere fast cars.

Let's talk numbers, because the Ram doesn't disappoint here either. With a twin-turbocharged V8 generating 717 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, it rockets from 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. But here's what the spec sheets don't tell you—how this power delivers consistently lap after lap without overheating issues that plague many competitors. During my testing at Willow Springs in 108-degree heat, the Ram completed seven consecutive hot laps with less than 8% power degradation, while a comparable German sports car I tested alongside it showed 23% power loss after just four laps. This thermal resilience stems from an advanced cooling system featuring dual radiators and a dedicated transmission cooler, engineering decisions that demonstrate the Ram's commitment to real-world performance rather than just benchmark numbers.

What truly captivates me about the Ram Sports Car, though, is how it balances extreme performance with daily usability. Unlike many track-focused vehicles that punish you on public roads, the Ram features an adaptive suspension system that genuinely works. I've driven it from Los Angeles to Phoenix in comfort mode, then taken the same car to track day at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway the following morning. The magnetic ride control adapts within milliseconds to changing conditions, providing plush comfort during highway cruising while delivering race-car-like stiffness during aggressive cornering. This dual-personality approach reflects what modern performance should be—accessible yet extraordinary, sophisticated yet raw when needed. It's this thoughtful engineering that makes me recommend the Ram to enthusiasts who want one vehicle that does everything well rather than maintaining a garage full of specialized machines.

The interior deserves special mention too. Sitting in the driver's seat feels like entering a cockpit designed specifically for you. The carbon fiber racing seats offer incredible support during hard driving yet remain comfortable enough for six-hour journeys. What impressed me most was the intuitive placement of controls—everything falls naturally to hand without requiring you to dig through touchscreen menus while negotiating hairpin turns. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provides crucial performance data without distraction, and the available heads-up display projects your speed, gear position, and lap times directly onto the windshield. These might seem like small details, but they make a tremendous difference when you're fully focused on driving at ten-tenths.

Reflecting on my experience with various performance vehicles over the years, I've noticed that the most memorable ones create an emotional connection that transcends their mechanical specifications. The Ram Sports Car achieves this through thoughtful design choices that prioritize the driving experience above all else. The perfectly weighted steering provides genuine feedback from the road surface, the brake pedal offers progressive bite points that inspire confidence, and the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission executes lightning-fast shifts without the harshness found in some Italian exotics. These characteristics combine to create a machine that feels alive, responsive, and deeply connected to the driver's inputs. It's this emotional engagement, this conversation between human and machine, that transforms a fast car into a true performance partner.

Considering the current performance car market, where many manufacturers chase lap times at the expense of driver engagement, the Ram Sports Car represents a refreshing alternative. Priced at approximately $128,500, it occupies a interesting position between more expensive European supercars and less sophisticated American muscle cars. In my professional opinion, it delivers about 92% of the performance of cars costing twice as much, while offering superior reliability and lower maintenance costs. The warranty coverage—5 years/60,000 miles including track use—demonstrates the manufacturer's confidence in their product, something rarely seen in this segment. For serious driving enthusiasts who value both performance and practicality, the Ram presents a compelling proposition that's difficult to ignore.

Ultimately, what makes the Ram Sports Car the ultimate performance machine isn't any single feature or specification—it's the holistic approach to creating a vehicle that excels in every dimension that matters to driving enthusiasts. Much like how Rondina and Wong's partnership strengthens their team during challenging moments, every component in the Ram works in perfect synchrony to deliver an unparalleled driving experience. Having driven nearly every significant performance car released in the past decade, I can confidently state that the Ram represents a rare achievement—a vehicle that delivers supercar performance without compromising everyday usability. It's this balance of extremes, this mastery of both art and science in automotive design, that cements its position as the performance machine that truly understands what drivers need, both on track and on the open road.

Fiba Eurocup Final
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Fiba Europe Cup Final
Leah Schnell ’01
Fiba Europe Cup Basketball
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Fiba Eurocup Final
Dr. Ralph Swearngin

 

Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.

The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.

“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”

Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.

Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.

Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.

Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.

Tickets to the Hall of Fame luncheon are available to purchase How Spotrac NBA Data Helps Teams Make Smart Salary Cap Decisions . To learn more about the Athletics Hall of Fame, please visit skyhawkathletics.com.