Magnus Racing Takes Top Porsche Honors with Fifth at The Rolex 24

Daytona Beach, Fl (January 28, 2013)- Following a long, hard-fought battle for top honors at this year’s 51st Running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Magnus Racing literally coasted to its fourth consecutive top-five finish at the endurance classic. Taking fifth place, the team would hold the distinction of being the highest finishing Porsche, finishing within seconds of the race-winning no. 24 Alex Job Racing Audi R8. The team’s sister no. 45 Porsche would also finish the race with a well-earned 15th.

“To be so close to victory and watch it fall away is definitely disappointing, but that is what makes this race such a challenge,” stated Magnus Racing Team Owner John Potter. “There were still a number of great moments to take away, including the fact that we were Porsche’s top finisher. We led a large portion of the race, and we’ve finished in the top-five at every Rolex 24 we’ve competed in. We still have good points for the season, and once again our crew showed tremendous ability with some fast stops.”

With Andy Lally qualifying the no. 44 Flex-Box Porsche 911 GT3 Cup on the front row, the team was off to a strong start when Lally assumed the lead just 30 minutes in to the twice-around-the-clock classic. Ripping off a repeated series of fastest laps, Lally would bring the car in for the first round of pit stops leading, handing the car over to teammate John Potter.

With Potter driving another faultless stint, the handover to Porsche factory driver Richard Lietz followed by Nicolas Armindo would lead to a fairly routine set of runs throughout the afternoon.

As the day would move on, the only weak point for the team would be the car’s front splitter. A carbon piece attached to the front nose, the splitter helps with the cars aerodynamic downforce as well as absorbing some of the constant impact with the ground, which during a 24-hour race can be constant.

Prepared as always, the team was well rehearsed for a splitter change, replacing the splitter no less than three times during the opening hours of the race, and doing it each time in only a matter of seconds, losing virtually no time in the pits. Thanks to some crafty engineering and change in driving style, the team managed to solve their splitter issues by time the night fell.

Driving through the night, the race would manage a fairly routine pace, with the no. 44 clearly in the thick of the fight. Not putting a foot wrong during the notoriously chaotic late-night hours, the no. 44 actually led for a large portion of the race, only sacrificing the top spot as pit stops cycled.

Following a two-hour caution for fog as the sun rose, the stage was set for an eight-hour race to the finish, with seven different cars still competing on the lead lap. Continuing to run a faultless race in the no. 44, the race between a tight lead pack was clearly going down to the wire.

When a caution came out with just over one-hour remaining, the final chapter of the 2013 event would emerge. With the entirety of the GT field pitting for what everyone assumed would be the penultimate pit-stop, Team Engineer Lars Giersing elected to put Richard Lietz in for the final run to the checkered flag. Unfortunately driver Nicolas Armindo would slightly overshoot the stall headed in to the pits, with the team having to push the car back a few feet in order to engage the fuel hose. This would cost the team a few seconds, dropping them down the running order as they merged back on to the track.

As the green flag fell and the final hour of the race emerged, the splitter issue returned. While the splitter was still visibly on the car, Lietz continued to feel the front end of the car losing significant downforce, slightly compromising his pace.

Ultimately, the race would come down to one final caution just minutes later. When the team’s no. 45 car blew a right rear tire on track, the resulting debris from tire and bodywork damage would bring out the yellow.

Knowing that most teams would likely need one more stop to make it to the end, Engineer Lars Giersing made the call to bring Lietz in for fuel as well as an opportunity to make final repairs to the splitter. Since GRAND-AM declared the caution period a “short caution,” it would mean that the stop would occur as the field took the green flag.

With the final hour of the race well under way, the no. 44 had fallen down the order, but also knowing that they’d be able to go the distance on fuel, hopefully. Pitting just out of the fuel window, Lietz would have the challenge of driving as fast as possible, but also saving fuel in the process.

As the race would unfold, the field in front of Lietz would slowly start to pit one-by-one. Gaining positions with each stop, the no. 44 looked poised for a possible win, sitting fourth with 20 minutes to go, and all three cars in front likely needing to make another stop.

With minutes left, the final make-up of the race began to take fold, but unfortunately not in Magnus Racing’s favor. The leading no. 24 Audi would duck in to the pits for one last “splash and go” of fuel, however driver Filipe Albuquerque was able to build enough of a gap that he was able to resume the race still leading.

With two laps left, the no. 52 Audi of René Rast, who won with Magnus just one year earlier, was able to pass the no. 44 on track. Meanwhile, the no. 13 Audi, sitting in second, decided to stay out and sputter to the finish line, relegating the no. 44 to fourth when Lietz took the white flag.

As the field took their final lap, the no. 13 Audi would eventually run out of fuel, however so would the Magnus no. 44 as it turned out. Richard Lietz was eventually able to limp the car around the track, literally coasting across the finish line to take the checkered flag in fifth.

“It’s so hard to win one of these, and we had such a great car all day,” stated Andy Lally. “The guys were just awesome, and any time you can finish this thing on the lead lap you did a good job, but it’s definitely painful to see this one get away.”

Meanwhile, the no. 45 B+ / Safecraft Restraints / Bckstgr / Eagle Technology / Camp Boggy Creek / Team Seattle / Fall Line Motorsports entry had an event-filled race that would ultimately lead to a top-15 finish for the group.

With GRAND-AM veteran Charles Espenlaub starting the race from the 10th row, a solid series of opening stints kept the no. 45 in early contention. In fact, an opportune caution period combined with off-setting strategy actually put the no. 45 in first during the early hours, putting the team well in-site of their top-10 aspirations.

Unfortunately, a slight mistake from driver Hugh Plumb in the early evening would change the day for the team. Suffering an on-going series of braking problems, Plumb locked-up heavily in the tricky turn-five, with the front end of the car sliding uncontrollably in to the outside tire barrier. While not a hard hit, the damage was still substantial enough to require an extended stop in the pits for repairs, with the car eventually resuming on track a few minutes later.

“The brakes were really sensitive,” stated Plumb. “I did everything I could with the bias to keep them from locking up, but eventually they just locked up in the wrong place and the car barely touched the tire barrier. It’s definitely disappointing but luckily the car kept going without major problem.”

The time on track, however, was short lived as driver Charlie Putman had the rough experience of having his hood pop-up on him while on course, leaving the driver completely blind. Luckily somehow the 2010 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS champion was able to limp it back in to the pits.

Following the hood issues, the team decided to bring the car behind the wall to make thorough repairs to the no. 45 machine. Losing an additional 20 minutes, the team took the opportunity to perform a detailed examination and repair of the car, and while they would ultimately lose several laps, the stage was set for a clean run to the end.

For the next 16 hours, the plan worked. With each driver avoiding major mishap, the experience of all five drivers proved valuable, with the wounded no. 45 running flawlessly for the majority of the race. Taking advantage of high attrition, the team would slowly find themselves in the top-15 of the field.

With just under an hour to go, however, the team would be thrown one last challenge. With driver Charles Espenlaub driving to the finish, a blown right rear tire at top speeds would send the Florida native in to a wild ride, with Charles managing to avoid major impact and limping the car back in to the pits. Following a couple different trips through the pit to repair damaged bodywork, the car would eventually be sent on its way to take a steady 15th.

“The Magnus guys put on an absolutely great program,” stated Al Carter. “We were hoping for a top-10, but the problems we had early on got in the way. The guys worked their butts off to get us back on track without losing much, and I think to finish, and to finish in the top half, is a testament to what a great program this is. Overall, we had a great experience and I look forward to doing it again.”

Off the track, Magnus continued a successful run of charitable and interactive initiatives for their fans.

Running promotional programs for charities such as B+, Team Seattle, and Camp Boggy Creek, Magnus Racing entertained dozens of guests, as well as helped to raise donations in a number of ways.

Additionally, Magnus Racing was once again the darling of the paddock with the third edition of their movie poster theme for Daytona, this time launching The Lord of The Rolex, which at-track fans were treated to during the autograph session (as well as during internet giveaways).

Finally, Magnus Racing once again successfully ran their live webcast for 24 hours straight from the pits, giving fans a chance to not only see the pitside activity for all 24 hours, but also interact with team members and listen in to team radio. The stream was visited nearly 100,000 times during the course of the race, and from 115 different countries.

While the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series won’t return to track action until March 2 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, the team is already back to work as they prepare for a number of tests and prep items for the remainder of the season.

Racing will resume in just five weeks time with GRAND-AM of the Americas presented by GAINSCO and TOTAL. Coverage can be seen on Saturday, March 2 at 5:30 PM ET on SPEED.

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.

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.

Magnus Racing to Bring Two Cars to Defend Rolex 24 Victory

Salt Lake City, UT (December 21, 2012)- Nearly eleven months after taking the team’s first-ever GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series GT victory at the historic 50th Anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Magnus Racing will return with a two-car team aimed at repeating success.

Competing against one of the most competitive fields in the history of the event, the team took a surprise victory in 2012, leading a Porsche 1-2-3 that would see the top-five cars all finish within two laps of each other. Boasting storylines that included everything from the team’s first ever victory to the triumphant return of GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series veteran Andy Lally to full-time competition, the team’s success at Daytona would launch a phenomenal season that would include: winning the Inaugural Brickyard Grand Prix, winning the North American Endurance Championship, and ultimately finishing the season as the highest ranking Porsche.

With only two weeks until the official Roar Before the 24 pre-season test, the team’s no. 44 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup will feature many of the same ingredients from 2012. Withteammates John Potter and Andy Lally returning together for another full season, Porsche Factory Driver Richard Lietz will also rejoin the group for Daytona. Lietz, from Austria, has competed with Magnus Racing in every Rolex 24 that they’ve entered.

New for 2013, the team will also welcome Porsche veteran Nicolas Armindo to the no. 44 program. Armindo, the reigning European Le Mans Series (ELMS) GTE-AM Class Champion, will campaign in his second-ever Rolex 24 event, and first for Magnus Racing. Known for his prowess in a Porsche, the Frenchman comes to the team as a two-time ELMS Champion, and the first non-German in 20 years to win the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany title.

Adding to the strength of the team, Magnus Racing is also proud to announce a second entry for the event, in the form of the sister no. 45 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.

Featuring a roster of drivers on loan from Fall Line Motorsports, who compete in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, the veteran line-up of: Mark Boden, Al Carter, Charles Espenlaub, Hugh Plumb and Charlie Putman will work together in pursuit of victory.

Boden, the Owner of Fall Line Motorsports, has competed in six seasons of GRAND-AM Competition. Taking three GS category podiums last year in addition to eight victories in SCCA National events, the Illinois resident will drive for the first time at The Rolex 24. Mark will join with the support of BCKSTGR, a program dedicated towards rewarding the bridge between social media users and the brands they love.

Al Carter, hailing from Delaware, will return for his third Rolex 24 in succession following a phenomenal 2012 season. Along with competing in a tightly contested Continental GS season, Carter took his first ever professional sportscar win during last year’s Grand Prix of Baltimore in the American Le Mans Series. Carter will run the race with support from the B+ Foundation, a Foundation dedicated to research, awareness, and providing financial assistance to families of children with cancer, as well as Eagle Tech, an industry leader in digital and audio engineering products.

Charles Espenlaub, hailing from Florida, is one of the veterans of the lineup. A well-known figure in sportscar racing, Espenlaub joins the team as not only a three-time winner in GRAND-AM competition, but he also shares the 2010 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS Championship with teammate Charlie Putman. Charles’ highest finish at Daytona was third in 2011.

Charlie Putman is also a series veteran. For the Texas native, the top step of the podium is familiar territory. Driving with Charles Espenlaub for several seasons, the duo achieved a remarkable feat in 2010 when they managed to achieve not only a winning season in GRAND-AM, but eventually taking the series championship. No stranger to endurance racing, Putman also took victory at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill in 2008. Charlie will join the team with support from Safecraft Restraints, an industry-recognized producer of safety products across the motorsports spectrum, including the Magnus Racing Porsche.

Another veteran of the series, Hugh Plumb will round out the no. 45 entry with an eye towards victory. Having achieved four victories and 25 podiums in GRAND-AM competition, the likable Pennsylvanian is a highly regarded driver within the paddock, boasting additional accolades such as aiding in three different manufacturers’ championships across his career. Additionally, Plumb is a seasoned athlete, having competed in 10 triathlons, including the Hood to Coast Relay, the longest foot race in the world.

For Magnus Racing Team Owner John Potter, the ability to provide a focused program on two-cars in the 51st running of the legendary event is a strong sign of the team’s commitment to performance.

“We had the opportunity to provide a program for multiple cars this year, but at the end of the day we wanted to make sure that we were focused on putting the best product out there,” stated Potter. “We definitely have that with our two cars, and we are committed to success in both. Obviously we’re the defending winners of the race, and it’s both a great honor and a great responsibility. Luckily, we’re coming prepared with the best crew, the best tools, and of course, the best car with Porsche. Having consistency with Andy and Richard will be great, needless to say they were key in last year’s victory. Nicolas is new to the team, but we’re lucky to have him and I think his record speaks for itself. Our 45 car is a fantastic addition to the program. Our experience so far has been phenomenal with all of the drivers, and they definitely understand our style. Al Carter ran a test with us in November, and it was immediately clear he was ‘one of us.’ Mark Boden has done an amazing job with running Fall Line Motorsports. Beyond winning a series championship, he and his team have a great reputation for running a proper program, and it’s clear Mark and I share the same values. Charlie Putman has been a staple of GRAND-AM for several years now, and I think he’ll instantly fit in to our group. Charles Espenlaub is obviously one of the most recognized figures in the paddock, and his feedback and insight will add a lot to the whole program. Hugh Plumb is one of the most likable guys out there, and again his résumé speaks for itself. I’m very happy to see us all under one roof, and really look forward to finally getting back out on the track.”

With the team currently bolting the final pieces on to both cars before wrapping for the holidays, Magnus Racing will head in to the test ready for action.

The team will continue to provide week-long updates throughout the test on January 4-6, and will have multiple announcements through the month of January leading to the season opening Rolex 24 at Daytona, taking place January 26-27, 2013.