April 11, 2011 (Salt Lake City, Utah) – In another major announcement for Magnus Racing, the team is proud to announce that it has formed a partnership with Los Angeles-based Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘n Waffles for the upcoming American Le Mans Series at Long Beach, a featured event at the 37th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
“It’s really exciting to get local businesses involved in this type of event,” said John Potter, owner of Magnus Racing. “Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles is a staple of the Southern California community, and I’m proud that they will be the primary sponsor of our Porsche next weekend in Long Beach. We’re excited that they will be a part of our team for the weekend and that they will be a part of the World Class American Le Mans Series.”
A cultural landmark of Southern California, Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘n Waffles brought soul food to Southern California in 1975 with the first 24-hour diner in Los Angeles. Its signature dish, Scoe’s Chicken prepared Southern Style with two waffles, has been popularized by the restaurant’s famous patrons - which include singers, to players of all Los Angeles sports teams, to countless television and movie stars. On any given night at Roscoe’s you might find Snoop Dogg or Larry King.
Roscoe’s Long Beach location, one of five operated by the company, is located mere blocks from the Grand Prix Circuit at the intersection of Broadway Blvd and Alamitos St and is traditionally a hub of activity during the Grand Prix weekend. This year, however, will mark the first time that the distinctive chicken and waffle logo will appear on a race car. Driver Craig Stanton, who lives not far from the Roscoe’s Long Beach location, knows all about the legendary status Roscoe’s has in the Long Beach community.
“Roscoe’s is an institution in Long Beach,” said Stanton. “It’s like a secret handshake – if you are from this area you know all about Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles. Everyone has been there at least once. It is a real honor to be a part of this, especially since I’m from Long Beach, and I hope the fans enjoy this as much as I am going to.”
Additionally, the no.77 Magnus Racing Porsche GT3 Cup will feature additional sponsorship from partnering companies Pitbull Energy Drink and Seabird Jazz Lounge. Pitbull, owned by the Hip Hop Beverage Company, is the only minority-owned independent energy drink in the nation. Most popular for featuring no aftertaste and rated as one of the best tasting energy drinks on the market, Pitbull Energy Drink is available at Los Angeles and Orange County Chevron stations, Jethro’s Cash & Carry, and is coming soon to Walgreens. Seabird Jazz Lounge is another staple of Long Beach. Featuring a number of jazz and other musical acts, the club is rich with a diverse group of acts and a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere.
The American Le Mans at Long Beach will be Magnus Racing’s second GT-C race of the season, and their last until the Baltimore Grand Prix in September. However, after being taken out of contention while leading the class in the eighth hour of the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, the team is eager to get the ‘Party Barge’ – the name bestowed on the team’s ALMS Porsche, in honor of the turn 10 crowd at Sebring – into victory circle.
“Without a doubt, we have some unfinished business in GT-C,” said Potter. “We were really robbed of our chance in Sebring. That’s just part of endurance racing, but it doesn’t make it much easier. We have a team that can win and that’s what we are setting out to do in Long Beach.”
The American Le Mans at Long Beach weekend begins with Friday morning practice, 7:15 AM – 9:15 AM PST before qualifying in the afternoon, with GT-C qualifying scheduled for 5:20 PM – 5:35 PM PST. The Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series at Long Beach will begin on Saturday at 4:30 PM PST with the checkered flag falling at 6:30 PM PST.
The race can be viewed live in its entirety on ESPN3.com, with coverage beginning at 4:15 PST, with a broadcast on ESPN2 on Sunday, April 17, at 5:00 ET. Fans of Magnus Racing can follow the team throughout the weekend on Facebook (facebook.com/magnusracing) and twitter (@magnusracing).
About Magnus Racing
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.
About Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles
At Roscoe’s, fried chicken and waffles are our specialties! No one knows chicken like Roscoe’s, but chicken and waffles are only part of our story. We are also famous for our delicious greens, mac and cheese, cornbread, red beans and rice. Roscoe’s is a place for the entire family and is a household name internationally, renowned throughout the entertainment industry and general public with regular guests ranging from Snoop Dogg to CNN’s Larry King. Roscoe’s opened its first restaurant in 1975 and now operates five restaurants in the Southern California area. The Long Beach location has a jazz club - the Seabird Jazz Lounge, and the company promotes the best tasting energy drink on the market – Pitbull Energy Drink.
For more information regarding everything Roscoe's visit www.roscoeschickenandwaffles.com. For more information regarding the 'Club at Roscoes' visit www.seabirdjazzlounge.com. More information on Pitbull Energy Drink can be found at www.hiphopbev.com.