Seventh. Meh.

Homestead, Fla. (April 30, 2012)-Concluding a weekend that literally saw the only dry sessions occur during Friday practice, Magnus Racing and the no. 44 Flex-Box Porsche GT3 Cup car took home seventh place at the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series’ Grand Prix of Miami. While this was the team’s third straight top-10, it is a result that can best be described as indifferent.

After qualifying was cancelled on Saturday due to torrential rain, Magnus Racing’s John Potter was awarded the first starting position due to the team’s lead in the point standings, the first in his GRAND-AM Rolex Series career.

Driving an impressive opening stint in extremely wet conditions, Potter held off a hard charging Sylvain Tremblay in the no. 70 SpeedSource Mazda to lead for the first part of the race. Unfortunately, a small mistake would cause John to run off the track briefly, re-joining in ninth place with no damage to the car. Not alone in his error, several others cars would spin, run wide, and all bring back dirt and mud on to the track, eventually leading GRAND-AM officials to make the call to go to a yellow flag as they cleaned the track.

With Potter pitting and placing Andy Lally in the car, the team turned their attention to gaining ground and considering different pit strategies. Running a strong series of opening laps, Lally made quick work of the cars in front of him, moving up to second position before a rare, un-forced error would send Lally running wide as well, again without damage, but losing several positions in the process.

As the rain showers picked up, the race all of a sudden became interesting… or boring, depending on the team you ask.

Determining the conditions to be too extreme, GRAND-AM threw a full course caution to bring the cars to a manageable pace. During the first few laps of this caution, series officials made no mention of possibly shortening the race, and several teams, including Magnus Racing, took the opportunity to top up on fuel and change all four tires.

With a handful of cars not pitting, Magnus would re-join the field in seventh, Lally having his work cut out to beat the cars in front of him on the same strategy, as well as the cars even further ahead who had yet to pit.

However, it was all moot, as GRAND-AM officials would never waive the green flag again, and instead waving the checkered flag before the race had even hit two hours (of a planned 2:45). This was critical, as the leading cars in both the GT and DP categories would have run out of fuel had GRAND-AM chosen to run the designated race time. The arbitrary nature of the decision to end the race therefore had a critical role in the race's outcome, as the leading cars would have had to pit again had the series run the full distance.

“Winning this race might have been a little out of reach for us,” stated John Potter. “But at the same time, the result is pretty frustrating because it was an odd time to end the race."

With conditions nearly identical to other points in the race, the decision to stop the race seemed random at best, especially as very little indication was given until minutes before the decision was made to stop the race. Just to make matters worse, as the team loaded the transporter, the sun would peak out 20 minutes later, or more accurately, at what would have been the 2:30 mark if the race had continued.

At the end of the day, whatevs. The team is packed up and moving on to the next race in just two weeks time, the Global Barter 250 at New Jersey Motorsports Park, with live coverage on SPEED on Sunday, May 13 at 1PM ET. In addition to continuing the pursuit for 100 podiums for Andy Lally in GRAND-AM competition, the team will also be running a special program to be announced soon.

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Flex-Box is a leading worldwide supplier of new and used shipping, storage and reefer containers. An international company based in Hong Kong, Flex Box 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, 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.

Magnus Racing will continue to provide updates and coverage throughout the week via their Facebook (facebook.com/RacingMagnus) and Twitter (@MagnusRacing), as well as via www.magnusracing.com. You can also follow Andy Lally on Twitter (@AndyLally).

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 sports car racing can e-mail info@magnusracing.com. All press inquiries can be directed to press@magnusracing.com.

Magnus Racing to Start First at Grand Prix of Miami

April 28, 2012 (Homestead, Fl)- For the first stime since June of 2010, Magnus Racing will start from pole position at tomorrow’s Grand Prix of Miami at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

By GRAND-AM rule, if a session must be cancelled due to torrential rains, the series reverts to points from the previous round. As the current Rolex Sports Car Series GT leaders, the no. 44 Flex-Box Magnus Racing Porsche GT3 Cup car was awarded first following the series decision to cancel today's session..

“It will be really nice to start from pole,” stated John Potter, who will be on pole for the first time in his GRAND-AM career. “A clear track in what will likely be wet conditions will be crucial, so it will be a nice little advantage to have.”

With tomorrow’s race-day forecast showing similar conditions to today, Magnus Racing has high hopes for a strong result. With inclement weather on the cards, strategy, tire management and driver patience will be critical for both Potter and teammate Andy Lally.

The Grand Prix of Miami will take place tomorrow, Sunday, April 29. Live coverage will be featured on SPEED at 1PM ET

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Flex-Box is a leading worldwide supplier of new and used shipping, storage and reefer containers. An international company based in Hong Kong, Flex Box 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, 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.

Magnus Racing will continue to provide updates and coverage throughout the week via their Facebook (facebook.com/RacingMagnus) and Twitter (@MagnusRacing), as well as via www.magnusracing.com. You can also follow Andy Lally on Twitter (@AndyLally).

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 sports car racing can e-mail info@magnusracing.com. All press inquiries can be directed to press@magnusracing.com.

Who Will Wear the Hamster Suit?

Magnus Racing and Kinetic Motorsports Wager for Andy Lally’s “100th”

Miami, Fl (April 24, 2012)- At the most recent round of the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge at Barber Motorsports Park, Andy Lally came one step closer to the surreal; taking his 99th podium in GRAND-AM competition.

Heading in to this weekend’s Grand Prix of Miami at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Lally is in a strong position to step on the podium for a historic 100th time.

The only question is, who will do it?

Competing in two different categories, running the no. 10 Infinity Audio Forte Koup in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge followed by the no. 44 Flex-Box Magnus Racing Porsche GT3 Cup in the Rolex Sports Car Series, Andy Lally will be competing with two teams in a strong position to deliver the result.

How competitive are these two teams?

Competitive enough to put a stake on it.

With both teams full of confidence that they can bring their cars home in the top three, Magnus Racing and Kinetic Motorsports have agreed to a unique challenge; whoever wins will force the other team in to the famed Kia “hamster suit” on the grid for the next race.

Should Kinetic be the first to take the podium, Magnus Racing Team Manager Shannon Davis will adorn the furry suit on the grid at New Jersey Motorsports Park, and if Magnus accomplishes the goal we will see Kinetic’s own Nic Jonsson perform a similar feat at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

With the first race of the weekend occurring with Kinetic on Saturday, April 28, the Georgia-based team certainly has the upper hand. Having been on the podium in every race in 2012, the reigning Continental Tire ST Champions are poised for history.

“The ST field is getting stronger with each race in 2012, so it’s harder for us to obtain that podium for Andy," stated Jonsson. "If Magnus is the lucky team, then so be it – I will wear the suit with pride”.

Jonsson is no stranger to dressing up in weird garb as even Lally himself has observed when changing in the Kinetic team hauler.

“Nic has so much body hair, that if he didn’t shave it twice a day (as normal), he would look like the hamster anyway” stated Lally.

Should the challenge carry over to the Rolex Series race on Sunday, April 29, Magnus Racing is prepared to do their part. Having achieved their first ever Rolex GT podium at the Homestead circuit just one year ago, the reigning Rolex 24 at Daytona GT Champions are ready to hand Lally his historic 100th.

“Kinetic Motorsports is a great team, and we look forward to the challenge,” stated Magnus Racing Team Owner John Potter. “For Andy to have achieved 99 podiums in his career is simply incredible, and we look forward to not only delivering his 100th, but endless more. We’re also very fortunate to put the contract clauses that we did with Shannon, as now I don’t have to worry about dressing like that personally.”

For Team Manager Shannon Davis, who once lived with Andy Lally and has remained one of his closest friends, mixed feelings are certainly in place.

“It would be great to see Andy do it this weekend,” stated Davis. “So many of us have watched Andy through several of his career milestones, and to be part of such a historic feat would be incredible. Celebrating it in a hamster suit, well maybe not so much, but it’s in my contract so what can I do…”

Kinetic Motorsports will take the first shot in The Kia 200, taking place on Saturday, April 28 at 2:45PM ET. Coverage will be featured on SPEED on Saturday, May 12, at 12PM ET.

Magnus Racing will take their chance during Sunday’s Grand Prix of Miami, which will be covered live on SPEED at 1PM ET.

Magnus Racing will continue to provide updates and coverage throughout the week via their Facebook (facebook.com/RacingMagnus) and Twitter (@MagnusRacing), as well as via magnusracing.com. You can also follow Andy Lally on Twitter (@AndyLally).

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 sports car racing can e-mail info@magnusracing.com. All press inquiries can be directed to press@magnusracing.com.

Magnus Racing, Flex-Box Partner for Grand Prix of Miami

Miami, Fl (April 23, 2012)- With the third round of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series occurring just 40 minutes away from one of the largest sea ports in the country, Magnus Racing and Flex-Box will rejoin forces for this weekend’s Grand Prix of Miami.

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.

Just over one year ago, Flex-Box and Magnus Racing were initially united for the 59th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, where the company was adorned on the Magnus Racing Porsche along the doors and front hood.

Heading in to this weekend’s round as the point leaders, the car will bare a similar look on the no. 44 Magnus Racing Porsche GT3 Cup. With drivers John Potter and Andy Lally behind the wheel, the guests, partners, and employees of Flex-Box have a great weekend ahead.

“It’s great to have Flex-Box back with us this weekend,” stated John Potter, Magnus Racing Team Owner and Driver. “Everyone at the organization is great to work with, and more importantly we look forward to putting on a great event for them. From our hospitality to our performance on track, I’m confident our program will prove invaluable for everyone.”

Flex-Box is a leading worldwide supplier of new and used shipping, storage and reefer containers. An international company based in Hong Kong, Flex Box 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, 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 Grand Prix of Miami will take place at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with first practice beginning on Friday, April 27, with the race occurring two days later on Sunday, April 29. Live coverage will be featured on SPEED at 1PM ET.

Magnus Racing will continue to provide updates and coverage throughout the week via their Facebook (facebook.com/RacingMagnus) and Twitter (@MagnusRacing), as well as via magnusracing.com. You can also follow Andy Lally on Twitter (@AndyLally).

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 sports car racing can e-mail info@magnusracing.com. All press inquiries can be directed to press@magnusracing.com.

Magnus Racing Maintains Points Lead with Fourth Place at Barber

Birmingham, AL (April 1, 2012)- Headed in to the beautiful Barber Motorsports Park circuit in Birmingham, Alabama, Magnus Racing came in to the weekend as not only the reigning GT champions of The Rolex 24 at Daytona, but also as the current points leaders in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series GT championship. With the second round of the series now behind, both facts still remain.

With the constant, sweeping turns of the Alabama circuit presiding as the biggest feature of the track, this weekend’s Porsche 250 was assumed to favor the lighter vehicles such as the Mazda or the Ferrari, if for no other reason than tire wear. In spite of the deficit, Magnus Racing drivers John Potter and Andy Lally had their eyes firmly set on getting the best possible result.

“With Daytona behind us, the focus is very solidly on the championship,” stated John Potter, Team Owner of Magnus Racing. “Obviously the best way to achieve that is winning as many races as possible, but we also don’t want to take any risks that can cost us big points.”

After being forced to switch engines during Thursday practice due to a rare failure on the Porsche motor, the team was hoping that the worst of their luck was behind them. Following a smooth qualifying effort on Friday by John Potter, the team came in to Saturday’s race with high hopes.

Starting the no. 44 Porsche GT3 Cup in 11th, Magnus Racing’s John Potter put in an impressive opening stint. Not putting a wheel wrong during the first 45 minutes, John not only drove mistake-free, but also kept within sight of the lead pack, turning lap times on par with everyone in front of him. Most importantly as it would turn out, John did a great job of taking care of his fuel use.

Around the 45-minute mark, many of the GT teams had already pitted for fuel and tires, however the no. 44 and a handful of other teams managed to stay out. When an opportune caution period was thrown, the group of cars who had yet to pit were handed a major advantage as their position on track allowed them to cycle around to being almost a lap up on their GT competition.

Using this opportunity to pit for fuel, tires, and driver change, it was now up to Andy Lally to drive the rest of the way, hoping to continue his 100% win rate for the team so far.

As the race unfolded, Lally made remarkable work of the field in front of him, taking part in a strong battle among the top-four. As the race wore on and tire wear began to show, Lally was at his best. Pushing fellow Porsche driver Leh Keen’s no 59 Brumos vehicle to the limit, the two would be involved in a several lap battle that struck a delicate balance between over aggression and patience.

As pit stops cycled through, it was clear that many of the teams, including the no. 59, would have to pit early enough that they may have needed to make a third stop for a “splash” at the end. As Lally circled around longer and longer, the no. 44 would only have to make a second stop.

With pit stops cycling through, the no. 44 team would lead briefly before making their own error-free stop. With only 45 minutes to go, the Magnus team would look comfortably in the top-five, now playing “the waiting game” as they hoped for the cars in front to either pit again for a last gasp of fuel or risk running out entirely.

Unfortunately, with only 10 minutes remaining, a late race caution would buy the leading cars much needed fuel mileage, thus eliminating Magnus’s strong strategy call. When the green flag fell again, only three laps remained, and though Andy Lally would put together a strong run for the podium, patience prevailed and the team settled for a strong fourth-place finish.

While not a podium, the team still walks away as the points leader over the now-tied no. 59 Brumos drivers of Andrew Davis and Leh Keen and no. 60 Speedsource duo of Sylvain Tremblay and Jonathan Bomarito.

For John Potter, a productive points day is a good way to leave the track.

“Obviously we’d like to leave the track with a trophy, but we’re not disappointed at all,” stated Potter. “The guys did a great job getting the car turned over and ready after Thursday’s engine change, and Andy gave it a great effort as well. Overall I think we proved ourselves well, and it’s a good to race this well at a track that traditionally doesn’t favor the Porsche.”

For Andy Lally, a strong car was the most rewarding part of the day.

“It was great to have the car as competitive as it was all weekend long,” stated Andy. “Between Thursday’s problem and the ability to not only turn the car around, but turn it around and keep it as fast as it was is a good sign moving forward. John also did a fantastic job in the opening stint. There were some really strong guys up front and he stayed in the thick of it. We’ll head to Homestead now and push as hard as we can.”

Headed in to the next round at Homestead-Miami Speedway, twelve rounds still remain in the championship, and it remains anybody’s game. The Grand Prix of Miami will take place on Sunday, April 29, with live coverage featured on SPEED.

Magnus Racing will continue to provide updates and coverage throughout the week via their Facebook (facebook.com/RacingMagnus) and Twitter (@MagnusRacing), as well as via magnusracing.com. You can also follow Andy Lally on Twitter (@AndyLally).

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 sports car racing can e-mail info@magnusracing.com. All press inquiries can be directed to press@magnusracing.com.