July 3, 2010 (Daytona Beach, FL) – Unloading a perfect looking Porsche from the Magnus Racing trailer might have been the largest undertaking of the year for the Magnus Racing crew. While the team has no problem preparing an immaculate Porsche, things were made far more complicated for the Brumos 250 at Daytona by a massive crash at last month’s event in Mid-Ohio.
As a result, the Magnus Racing crew put in a Herculean effort to repair their damaged race car in the short, two-week turnaround between Mid-Ohio and Daytona. Thanks to the efforts of crew chief John Bedell and crew members Patrick Dubuc, Jeff Milan and Steve Gysin, the Porsche rolled off the trailer looking like new and ready to race.
Fast from the moment it hit the track, Magnus Racing owner and driver John Potter and co-driver Craig Stanton ran consistently in the top-five throughout practice, a tribute to the team’s terrific turnaround. In qualifying, Potter recorded his personal best qualifying effort of the year when he placed the Porsche seventh on the starting grid.
In 84 degree weather and under threatening skies, Potter took the green flag for Saturday’s Brumos 250 at Daytona, the seventh round of the 2010 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No.16. After qualifying seventh but starting sixth when a competitor withdrew from the race, Potter showed his mettle by battling for positions in the top-10 throughout the opening stint.
However, as he was in the thick of the battle, a right rear axle snapped under acceleration exiting turn one and Potter limped the car back to the pits. The Magnus Racing crew got to work and quickly fixed the car, putting Craig Stanton behind the wheel to rejoin the race. Stanton’s race would not last long, however, as transmission failure saw him park the car for good just past the one hour mark of the two hour and thirty minute race.
“Humbug,” said Potter after the car was retired. Stanton echoed Potter’s sentiments.
“The car was good this weekend – so good,” said Stanton. “John was in the mix of things and having a great battle, and I couldn’t wait to get in the car and go to the front. One of these days everything is going to come together for this team and I can’t wait for that.”
Potter and Stanton will be back behind the wheel of the No. 44 Magnus Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in two weeks at New Jersey Motorsports Park, while Leh Keen will join Potter in the team’s No.44 Magnus Racing Porsche Cayman in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.
Fans of Magnus Racing can see photo galleries from Daytona on www.magnusracing.com, at facebook.com/magnusracing, and on twitter at twitter.com/magnusracing (@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 Grand-American Rolex Sports Car Series can e-mail info@magnusracing.com. All press inquiries can be directed to press@magnusracing.com.