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Magnus Webcast Returns for Saturdayʼs Rolex 24 At Daytona

Salt Lake City, UT (January 22, 2012)- When Magnus Racing took their historic first victory at The 50th Running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona just one year ago in front of a worldwide audience, one select group of fans were able to celebrate with the team; those watching the Magnus Racing pitside webcast. Luckily for the Magnus crew and fans, the webcast will once again return for this weekend’s 51st Running of The Rolex 24 At Daytona.
 
With a very similar look and feel to last year’s stream, the feed will feature a non-stop view of the team’s pit, access to team radio, interactive fan chat, and 24-hour hosting by an assorted cast of Magnus characters. The entire organization has one goal in mind: to provide an inside look at just what it takes to put together a two-car effort during the signature event of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season.
 
Partnering with Livestream, fans will be able to follow, interact, and simply enjoy the experience from green flag to checker.
 
The stream can be viewed at either magnusracing.com, or livestream.com/magnusracing.
 
With SPEED covering the entirety of the race, beginning with 15 hours of  television coverage at 3-11PM ET on Saturday and 9AM-4PM on Sunday, as well as continuous coverage of all 24 hours on SPEED.com, sportscar fans will truly have a wealth of ways to immerse themselves in this year’s race. The goal of Magnus is to compliment their coverage by showcasing the story of one individual team.
 
As announced in December, Magnus Racing will bring two cars to this weekend’s race. The team’s signature no. 44 Flex-Box Porsche GT3 Cup will return to defend its title, with full-season drivers John Potter and Andy Lally joined by Daytona regular Richard Lietz and team newcomer Nicolas Armindo. The team will also debut the no. 45 Porsche, with drivers on loan from full-time Continental Tire Sports Challenge competitor Fall-Line Motorsports. The no. 45 will feature a strong roster of experienced drivers, including Continental Challenge champions Charles Espenlaub and Charlie Putman, sportscar veteran Hugh Plumb, Baltimore Grand Prix winner Al Carter, and Fall-Line Motorsports Team Owner Mark Boden.
 
The webcast will once again be produced and hosted by Magnus regular Sean Heckman of The Media Barons, who will be joined this year by a number of co-hosts including Fall-Line Motorsports representative Mary Allison, Magnus Racing’s Emily Potter, and of course the team’s drivers, crew, and a number of guests from within the motorsport community.
 
Of course, no interactive webcast would be complete without a million different ways for fans to walk away with team swag and other prizes, including the return of The Magnus Challenge. The Magnus Challenge is the ultimate fan prize for the most devoted of the Magnus Nation. As a contest in which Magnus personnel give away a secret word every hour for all 24 hours, any fan who can submit all 24 words at the end of the webcast will win a special team prize pack, as well as be granted entry in to the team’s grand-prize drawing where they will become an honorary team member for any race of their choosing. Additionally, countless other contests and games will be run throughout the event.
 
Beyond providing an interactive experience for fans, Magnus Racing will also raise awareness and interaction for several of the team’s supported charities.
 
Adorning the hood of the team’s no. 45 entry, the B+ Foundation will feature a special initiative for the race, the B+ Foundation Challenge. With a goal to raise $100,000 during the week of the race, funds will support research and aid toward different forms of childhood cancer, with a mission statement focused on research, awareness, and financial support to impoverished families.
 
The B+ Foundation will feature a special text message campaign, supporters can text “FIGHT” to 80 000 and make a $10 donation to B+.
 
Notable to both the no. 44 and no. 45 cars, Magnus Racing will also support the efforts of GRAND-AM stalwart Team Seattle. Founded and run by noted series veteran Don Kitch, Team Seattle was originally created as a way to merge his passions of motorsport and charity work in to a unified program, with a particular emphasis on Seattle Children’s Hospital. Since the program’s beginning, the program has grown significantly. With Team Seattle now running in both the Rolex Series and Continental Tire Challenge, the team has a number of corporate partners and families they’ll be entertaining at the track.
 
Finally, Magnus Racing will also broadcast in support of noted GRAND-AM official charity Camp Boggy Creek. Founded by the legendary Paul Newman, the mission of Camp Boggy Creek is to enrich the lives of children with serious illness and their families by creating a life-enhancing camp experience that is exciting, empowering, memorable, safe, and medically sound, at no cost to them. There is no charge to come to Camp, the organization relying solely on the generous support of individuals, corporations, foundations and healthcare partners.
 
For Magnus Racing Team Owner John Potter, the opportunity to bring the webcast back is a great way to continue the team’s commitment to fans.
 
“It’s great to bring the webcast back,” stated Potter. “Last year we had over 100,000 viewers follow us as we took victory, and we’re hoping for the exact same result this year. SPEED and GRAND-AM have been very gracious to allow us to do this again, and we’re glad they see the value in such a unique product. We’ll be putting many of our resources towards our respective charities, and it’s fantastic that they’re all able to use the resources of Magnus to help grow their message. It’s a major undertaking to put together the stream, and I really appreciate the efforts that everyone in the team is making to make this all happen. I’m especially looking forward to what embarrassing things our hosts say at 4AM. Last year there were some gems.”
 
Streaming will begin on a “dress rehearsal” basis (ie it may not always work) during Thursday practice, with the proper webcast beginning at 3PM ET on Saturday, January 26.
 
 
About Flex-Box
Flex-Box, based out of Hong Kong, is a leading worldwide supplier of new and used shipping, storage and reefer containers. The company manufactures and ships containers to customers all over the world, keeping a year round inventory of containers in China, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and North America.or more information, visit www.flex-box.com.
 
B+ Foundation Daytona Challenge:
The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation honors the memory of Andrew, a 14-year-old athlete and 'A' student from Wilmington, Delaware. Throughout Andrew's battle with leukemia, his blood type was B+, which became his motto throughout the fight, to "Be Positive." Inspired by Andrew's caring attitude and positive outlook, The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation was established. In just the past two years, The B+ Foundation has awarded over $1.5 million in research grants and family assistance.
 
For this week's Rolex 24 at Daytona, B+ is hoping to raise $100,000 from fans and sponsors alike to go towards research and supporting families battling with childhood cancer.
 
bepositive.org
 
 
Camp Boggy Creek:
Founded by the legendary Paul Newman, the mission of Camp Boggy Creek is to enrich the lives of seriously ill children and their families by creating a life-enhancing camp experience that is exciting, empowering, memorable, safe, and medically sound, at no cost to them.  We are a year round camp serving seriously ill children throughout Florida.  We offer week-long summer sessions for the children and family retreat weekends for the whole family.  There is no charge to come to Camp, the organization relying solely on the generous support of individuals, corporations, foundations and healthcare partners.
 
boggycreek.org
 
 
Team Seattle:
Team Seattle is a group of road racing fans, drivers, and sponsors who, along with their friends and family, want to make a difference in the community by combining two passions: a love of motorsports and a commitment to Seattle Children’s Hospital. The organization uses corporate and private sponsorship to underwrite the cost of the race cars so that one hundred percent of the donations go to help the children in the pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Joining both Magnus cars for this year's race, the organization looks to host and entertain several guests in their efforts to continue and expand awareness and fundraising.
 
teamseattle.com
 
 
 
 
 
About Magnus Racing:
 
Magnus Racing is now in their fourth year of professional sportscar competition. As one of the most well known and respected teams in the paddock, the team is known for not only last year's victory at both The 50th Running of The Rolex 24 at Daytona and the inaugural Brickyard Grand Prix, but also the inaugural GRAND-AM North American Endurance Championship. As the most familial and good-humored team in the series, the team looks to continue its tradition of maintaining a fun and humorous approach to professional racing.
 
 
About Fall-Line Motorsports
Located in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Fall-Line Motorsports is a top team in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. With a brand new 35,000 square foot race shop, the team offers full machining, fabrication, assembly, tuning and setup resources. On the track, the team offers service, support and coaching from the club levels all the way to the top ranks in professional sportscar, culminating in the 2010 Continental Series Championship.

12 Days to Go: Let the Contests Begin!

Salt Lake City, UT (January 14, 2012): With only 12 days to go until the 51st Running of The Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, the entire Magnus Racing organization is hard at work getting both the no. 44 and no. 45 cars ready for the historic event.

However, we haven’t let the insanity of pre-Daytona distract us from keeping the Magnus Nation involved, and with that in mind the entire team is happy to kick off the Contest Countdown, where we will once again give out daily prizes and experiences every day until the race.

If you follow Magnus Racing on Facebook (RacingMagnus) or Twitter (@MagnusRacing), you could be well in line to win any number of Magnus awesomeness.

Anyone who has taken part in previous contests knows our traditional inventory of team hats, shirts, and crew polos are ripe for the taking, but what about some of the infamous Rolex Wars posters? What about swag from Fall Line Motorsports? What about an exclusive music album made in honor of Camp Boggy Creek? All of these are in the cue for the next 12 days, so stay tuned!

Contests will be run twice daily on both Facebook and Twitter, featuring everything from team and driver trivia, to photo caption contests, and a few other surprise games.

Stay tuned!.

Magnus Racing Tag-Team’s Top Position for Three Rounds at Daytona

Daytona Beach, Fl (January 7, 2013)- Kicking off the 2013 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series at this weekend’s Roar Before the 24 pre-season test, Magnus Racing entered the track anew. A new sponsor, a new second program, and a host of new drivers meant the whole program looked…well, new.

One thing was not new, however, as Magnus Racing returned to the scene of its first-ever Rolex Series victory in a familiar position; first. As the first GRAND-AM sanctioned test of the season, this weekend’s Roar Before the 24 featured eight practice sessions spread across three days, with the team taking top honors in three of them.

Driving the no. 44 Flex-Box Porsche 911GT3 Cup, the full-season duo of John Potter and Andy Lally were joined by Magnus newcomer Nicolas Armindo for this weekend’s test. Armindo, a multi-time European Le Mans Series GTE champion, was an instant fit with the organization, and even laughed at an Andy Lally joke once.

On the track, the trio proved formidable headed in to this month’s 51st Running of The Rolex 24 at Daytona. As the defending winners of the race, the team didn’t miss a step, topping two sessions with a top-time of 1:49.128 (83.111mph). Equally notable, the team went incident free during the entire week. Finishing in the top-three during six of the eight sessions, the Flex-Box shod Porsche is in strong form for the upcoming endurance classic.

“This was an extremely productive weekend,” stated Magnus Racing Team Owner John Potter. “It was so strange to sit in the drivers’ lounge and hear Andy wanting to do real work. It’s clear we’re ready for this year. The car was fast, and Nicolas really impressed all of us. He was immediately quick, and I think he’s finally warmed up to our sense of humor. It was also great to see such a strong debut for everyone at the no. 45. To have them set a top time during one of the sessions showed just what kind of program and car we have, and no one put a wheel wrong the whole time.”

Indeed, the no. 45 B+ Foundation / Safecraft Restraints / Bckstgr.com / Eagle Technologies / Fall Line Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup also proved quick. Featuring a roster of drivers on loan from Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS team Fall Line Motorsports, the lineup of Mark Boden, Al Carter, Charles Espenlaub, Hugh Plumb and Charlie Putman ran a near faultless week as well.

Running the whole weekend without major incident, the ultimate pace of the no. 45 became evident during the final morning with a lap-time of 1:49.592 (73.269mph). Not only would that top the time sheets for the session, but would prove the fastest lap of the weekend for the no. 45 team, as one of very few cars to turn a lap under the 1:50 mark.

“This was a very productive test for us,” stated Al Carter. “The Magnus guys gave us a solid car that ran virtually flawless all week, and being able to top the times during the last day showed just how strong we are. While we’ve all worked as teammates in the Continental Challenge, we haven’t all worked in the same car, and this has been a great experience so far.”

For Charles Putman, much of the same sentiment is echoed.

“I’m really happy with the weekend” stated Putman. “We all have a lot of experience, and it was great to see us all get together and just come in with a solid approach. The team had a great gameplan for us, and we seemed to stick to it. I’m very happy with the program so far. Daytona looks to be a very special event.”

Two cars, three fastest laps, and with a real solid shot for the race, Magnus Racing appears to have kept the momentum established during their 2012 season.

With the team already packed up and headed home, the final preparations for the 51st Running of The Rolex 24 at Daytona are well under way. Even though the team will disappear for a few days in anticipation of the race, the desire to keep the fans entertained will not. Stay tuned for several upcoming announcements, contests, and campaigns built specifically for the Magnus fans as we count the days to the year’s biggest race.

Flex-Box to Return with Magnus for Daytona and Beyond

Daytona Beach, Fl (January 4, 2012)- With the cars and stars of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series about to hit the track for the first time in 2013, Magnus Racing will return to Daytona International Speedway with a familiar look on the famed no. 44 Porsche GT3 Cup, as Flex-Box will return to the team as a primary sponsor.

Flex-Box, based out of Hong Kong, is a leading worldwide supplier of new and used shipping, storage and reefer containers. The company manufactures and ships containers to customers all over the world, keeping a year round inventory of containers in China, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and North America.

Re-uniting a partnership that has seen the familiar blue logo adorn Magnus cars in multiple events during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, the pair have struck an agreement to run together for North America’s signature sportscar event, The 51st Running of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. As the defending GT champions of the race, the team will be running a nearly identical program as last year with drivers and crew, with the addition of multiple-time ELMS GTE Champion Nicolas Armindo.

Beyond adding worldwide exposure for the brand as the reigning GT champions of the event, Magnus will provide extensive guest entertainment and hospitality support. For Team Owner John Potter, this is once again a great opportunity to welcome a fantastic partner to the Magnus brand of motorsport.

“It’s great to have Flex-Box with us for Daytona and beyond,” stated Potter. “We’ve run together in several races over the years, and I think it’s a great sign that they continue to work with us. We’ve really enjoyed entertaining everyone from the organization, and it’s great to work with a partner who understands that, beyond all of the fun we have, we actually pay great attention to providing a quality and fulfilling experience for our partners.”

Flex-Box will adorn the no. 44 Porsche for The Rolex 24 as well as additional races throughout the 2013 season. With a constant inventory around the world, the Flex Box staff can help with container requirements whether a client needs one or one thousand containers in any location. For more information, visit www.flex-box.com.

The Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona will take place on January 26-27, however pre-season tests officially begin today through Sunday during the series sanctioned Roar Before the 24. Magnus Racing will provide continuing coverage through the web and social media throughout the weekend.