Potter Scores GT3 Challenge Podium at Road Atlanta…then Magnus Racing packs up and goes home

October 1, 2011 (Braselton, GA) – It was a week of waiting for John Potter, Craig Stanton, Ryan Eversley and the Magnus Racing team at Road Atlanta. Unfortunately, their week would end up being a day shorter than they would have preferred.

Due to the large number of teams taking part in this year’s Petit Le Mans, the final round of the American Le Mans Series, only four GT-C teams were guaranteed a starting position in this year’s race. Magnus Racing made the decision to enter Petit Le Mans and practice throughout the week in case enough cars withdrew from the race to allow the no. 77 Magnus Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup the chance to defend its third-place finish from 2010.

However, following qualifications for the event, ALMS officials informed the team that the event was still oversubscribed and the team would be unable to participate.

Although the team will not take the green flag for today’s Petit Le Mans, the Magnus Racing Porsche did compete in the two final IMSA GT3 Challenge races of the season at Road Atlanta with Potter at the wheel. In the first race, held Thursday morning, Potter converted a sixth place starting position to a third-place finish. It was his second IMSA GT3 Challenge podium of the season, and brought Magnus Racing’s podium count to a total of seven for the year. In the second race, held Friday morning, Potter would finish sixth after a frantic race in which he was hit at the start, falling well down the field. Later in the race, while coming through the field, he took flight in turn five to avoid another spinning car. 

“We are definitely disappointed that we aren’t able to take part in Petit Le Mans this year,” said Potter. “We knew it was a long shot to get into the race but we had high hopes. The guys had done a great job all week with our Porsche, and they had also put in a lot of work converting the car back and forth from the GT3 and ALMS setups. They have been heroes all year and I’m glad we have the best guys in the business working on our cars.”

The team had also been encouraged by its pace and the progress it made during the ALMS practice sessions.

“I was really confident in our car and lineup – I think we would have been contending for a win,” said Potter. “Craig did a fantastic job getting our car set up, doing the same great job he’s done for us all year. Ryan joined us on Wednesday and got up to speed right away, just like he did last season. Petit Le Mans would have been a great way to finish up our second season, but at least we did go out with one podium in the GT3 Challenge race. We have had a fantastic year, I’m really proud of what we have accomplished, and I’d like to thank everyone who was a part of Magnus Racing this year.”

Stanton, while disappointed that he was unable to take part in the race, remained upbeat about his year with Magnus Racing.

“Hey, we’ve had a great year and had a lot of fun,” said Stanton. “The Magnus Racing guys have been great all year and I’m so thankful that I’ve had the chance to race with them again this season. We are disappointed that we won’t get to race in Petit Le Mans but we had a great time this week.”

Eversley, who was only told on Tuesday that he would be in the Magnus Racing Porsche this week, was looking forward to keeping his podium streak at Petit Le Mans intact. In addition to finishing second in GT-C last season with Magnus Racing, Eversley has an LMP2 podium in 2004 to his credit.

“I had a great time with the Magnus Racing crew,” said Eversley. “Despite not being able to race, it was really great to get back in the Magnus Racing Porsche. I’m thankful for the opportunity and I hope to race with them again!”

There won’t be much of an off-season for Magnus Racing, as winter testing will begin in just a few weeks time for the 2012 Rolex Series season. The team will be making announcements about its 2012 plans in the coming months. Fans of Magnus Racing can stay up to date with the team on facebook.com/magnusracing and on twitter (@magnusracing).

More information about Magnus Racing can be found at www.magnusracing.com. Any organization interested in learning more about how to be involved with one of the most unique and visible teams in the American Le Mans Series can e-mail info@magnusracing.com. All press inquiries can be directed to press@magnusracing.com.