June 13, 2011 (Montreal, QB, Canada) - When John Potter took part in the round of the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Series presented by Yokohama held at his home track at Miller Motorsports Park, he vowed to check his life insurance policy before returning to the series. One month later, everything must have checked out as Potter took a second place finish during this weekend’s historic Canadian Grand Prix event, the fifth round of the championship and run in conjunction with the FIA Formula One event.
Driving at the famed Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the third time in his career, Potter was consistently towards the top of the practice and qualifying charts, eventually gridding seventh in a very closely packed top-10.
However, just minutes before the event, the race would take a turn as the skies opened up over the circuit, creating a series of rain showers which forced the sanctioning body to declare a “wet race” in which all cars would switch to Yokohama wet weather tires.
For Potter, who has had considerable wet weather experience thanks to his experience in GRAND-AM and ALMS competition, the change in conditions would actually work favorably for his patient and precise driving style. Understanding just how critical attrition would be with a notoriously aggressive field, John demonstrated great maturity as he never put a wrong en route to his podium finish.
With the 25-car field set up for a crazed opening lap in the wet, John marched forward as he overtook five cars in the tricky conditions. As cars slid wide, backwards and forwards across the circuit, John managed to keep the Magnus Racing Porsche on track for the whole race as he took an unchallenged second place behind race winner Cooper MacNeil.
For Potter, a continued showing in his impressive 2011 form is proof of just how strong his team is.
“I know my insurance broker cleared me for GT3 Challenge, but said nothing about the rain, so when it the came down I was pretty apprehensive,” stated Potter. “Luckily this is one of my favorite circuits, and my experience in previous wet races has told me to just stay patient and calm, and it paid off. I was well advised today that discretion was going to be the better part of valor, and it completely played out. I have to give full credit to the guys, they did a great job getting the car ready, and we had a really strong and balanced car this weekend. I’m really looking forward to coming back here in August.”
John Potter and Magnus Racing will next compete on Saturday, June 25th in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series at the famed Road America circuit in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Live coverage of the race will be shown on SPEED at 12:00 PM ET.
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.