Podiums, Hot Chicks, and Chicken ‘n Waffles – It’s been a crazy year so far at Magnus Racing

June 16, 2011 (Salt Lake City, Utah) – Magnus Racing was founded by John Potter, joined by a few other like-minded individuals, who wanted to go racing and had the stated mantra that Magnus Racing would  be a competitive sportscar team that wasn’t afraid of a little fun.

Halfway through the 2011 season, Magnus Racing has enjoyed a lot of success but they’ve had a lot of fun on the way – as anyone who regularly follows the team’s dialogue on its website (subscribe to our releases at magnusracing.com), Facebook (facebook.com/magnusracing), or twitter feed (@magnusracing) will tell you.

The team finds itself embroiled in a tight championship battle in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sportscar Series’ GT class. Coming out of the gate swinging, Magnus Racing led a large portion of the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona, and one month later scored its first Rolex Series podium at the Grand Prix of Miami.

The team, also running a limited schedule in the American Le Mans Series GT-C category, showed serious pace in two races thus far in the series. Qualifying second at the 12 Hours of Sebring, the team was leading the race comfortably before a prototype took them off course and sent the car behind the wall for repairs.  One month later at the Long Beach Grand Prix, Potter and Stanton proved at the end of the race that they wouldn’t be intimidated when they finished on the podium, taking a third in GT-C, their second podium in only three ALMS races. This past weekend, John Potter brought the season’s podium count to three, finishing second in the IMSA GT3 Challenge race that ran in support of the Formula One Montreal Grand Prix.

Although unofficial, the team also earned the Most Popular award at the Long Beach Grand Prix when it entered a partnership with local restaurant chain Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘n Waffles and debuted the now infamous Roscoe’s livery on their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Serving chicken and waffles and with hospitality girls provided by Roscoe’s and Pit Bull Energy Drink, the Magnus Racing pit was packed throughout the Grand Prix weekend.

When GRAND-AM announced its $25,000 bounty on the Ganassi team to stop their dominance in Prototypes, Magnus Racing went a step further and announced its own $25 bounty on the Turner Motorsport team in the GT ranks, which was awarded to Autohaus Motorsports in the form of a $25 discount off a used racecar from Magnus Racing.  Of course, not to be forgotten as well was the team’s new standard of umbrella girls at a GRAND-AM event by bringing out the hottest chicks seen thus far in the series this year,  presented at the Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen, where the team finished 5^th with help from Bryan Sellers.

All of this activity has led to an exponential growth in website traffic and social media presence, with fans of the team having unparalled access to team photos, stories, and insight to the team throughout race weekends. The team has also unveiled numerous groundbreaking twitter hashtags to the sports car community, including #GoJohnGo, #GoCraigGo, #PartyBarge, #tigerblood, #zeeGermansaremachines and #FeartheChicken. The Magnus Nation can now also register to receive press releases on the team’s website.

“It’s been a really fun year so far, and I can’t believe it’s halfway over,” said Potter. “Our goal was to contend for a championship, and we have been competitive all season. We’ve led Daytona and Sebring, we’ve challenged for podiums at almost every race, and we’ll get our first win soon. And we are having a lot of fun each time we hit the track – this is the most fun I’ve had with all of the teams I have driven with since I started racing sports cars.”

Magnus Racing hits the track next at the Rolex Sports Car Series 250 Driven By Visit Florida. Not only is it the race with the longest name in the Rolex Series, but it will be the first time Magnus Racing competes at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The race will be shown live on SPEED Channel on June 25 at 12:00 PM ET.

More information about Magnus Racing can be found at www.magnusracing.com, and fans of Magnus Racing can follow the team on Facebook (facebook.com/magnusracing) and twitter (@magnusracing). 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.



Potter Scores Third Podium of 2011 in Montreal

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 25^th 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.

Magnus Racing’s trio of Potter, Sellers and Stanton wade through rainstorm to finish fifth in Sahlen’s Six Hours at The Glen

June 5, 2011 (Watkins Glen, NY) – Looking to put their championship hopes back on track, the Magnus Racing duo of John Potter and Craig Stanton – joined on this weekend by veteran Bryan Sellers – enjoyed a strong race at Saturday’s Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen to bring the no. 44 Magnus Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup to finish fifth in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sportscar Series’ GT class.

From tenth place, Stanton started the race in rainy conditions and was immediately marching forward. Picking up spots steadily as the rain continued to fall, Stanton led the race twice as differing pitstop strategies played out over the first hour and thirty minutes. As the rain let up, Sellers took over the Magnus Racing Porsche, enjoying a solid stint before handing over to Potter. Potter ran a solid stint in the top five before handing the car back to Stanton.

Sellers then jumped in the car for the anchor leg, stopping for fuel and changing left-side tires for the final 45-minute stretch to the finish. A caution period with only ten minutes remaining caused Sellers to lose one spot with a lap remaining, and finished in fifth.

“Things went really well for us today,” said Potter, who scored his team’s fourth top-five result of the season. “We were in a position to get on the podium at the end of the race but things didn’t fall with the yellows and the wave-bys. The guys did a great job all day and it’s a good result for us to get back on track. We’ve had a couple of rough races but today’s run was closer to what this team is capable of and keeps us within shot of the championship.”

Stanton was also thrilled to score decent points and lead the race after he led the opening portion of last year’s Six Hour contest.

“Today was definitely challenging with the weather conditions that we had,” said Stanton. “I wish it had rained more because the car was so good in the rain. I really enjoyed the car today. Last year the boys gave us a great car here and the car today was every bit as good. We were able to race to the front and stay there all day, and we just didn’t have the luck with our strategy lining up with the yellow flags and wave-byes. But we are still in a good championship spot and Road America will be a great circuit for us.”

Sellers, who recorded his best result at the Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen with Magnus Racing, was equally upbeat about the team’s performance.

“"It was a pretty good day for us,” said Sellers.  “There’s nothing better than being at the finish of a long race fighting for position. That whole last stint I put everything I had out there. It was qualifying laps, lap-after-lap to keep ahead of the Camaro. Unfortunately, we caught the last yellow and the restart changed the scenario. Oliver was just too fast at the end and he was able to go deeper under braking than we were and he got us. The battle was a lot of fun and it was an honor to be asked to take the checkered flag for the Magnus Racing.”

The championship battle with half of the season completed remains tight as ever, with Potter and Stanton now 17 points behind the leaders but sitting in a tie for 13^th position. The next Rolex Series race is June 25 at the legendary Road America circuit in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, which will be the first time the Magnus Racing team will visit the track.

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.

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Magnus Racing adds Bryan Sellers for attack on Watkins Glen Six Hour

June 1, 2011 (Salt Lake City, Utah) – Bolstering their attack for this weekend’s GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen, Magnus Racing is happy to add Braselton, Georgia’s Bryan Sellers to the No. 44 Magnus Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.

Sellers will join Magnus Racing drivers John Potter and Craig Stanton as the trio will attempt to finish what Magnus Racing started last year – a victory in the famed endurance racing classic. Last year, Stanton – who qualified on pole and set a GT-class record in the Magnus Racing Porsche – and Potter were joined by Jeroen Bleekemolen and dominated the first half of the race before their progress was slowed by an electrical problem.

“Yes, you could say there is a sense of unfinished business for us at the Six Hour,” said Potter, who drove a strong stint during a brief rain shower that fell in the second hour of last year’s Six Hours. “We’ve had our eye on it all season and securing Bryan as our third driver means we have a really, really strong driver lineup.  We know how fast Bryan is in a Porsche – we raced against him at this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, and he also co-drove with me when we debuted our Cayman last season. I’m really excited to see how well our Magnus Racing Porsche does this weekend.”

Sellers, a full-time driver in the American Le Mans Series, is excited to have a shot at victory at the famous New York endurance classic.

“I am very excited to return with Magnus Racing for the Six Hours of The Glen,” said Sellers. “I have always wanted to win at Watkins Glen and Magnus offers that opportunity this weekend. They have proven over and over again that they are an incredible team and have everything needed to win races! When I received the call asking if I could drive with them for the Six Hour it was an easy decision. John and Craig are a great duo and I am proud to be joining them.”

The Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen will be tape delayed on SPEED Channel, with the broadcast of the entire six hours of the race beginning on Saturday, June 4, at 4:30 PM ET. Fans of Magnus Racing can follow the team throughout the weekend on Facebook (facebook.com/magnusracing) and twitter (@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.

Magnus Racing leaves Lime Rock in the thick of the fight for the GT Championship

May 30, 2011 (Salt Lake City, Utah) – In the thick of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series GT class championship, the Magnus Racing duo of John Potter and Craig Stanton came to Lime Rock looking for a strong result to keep their No. 44 Magnus Racing Porsche in contention. With a very compressed schedule – practice, qualifying and the Rolex Series race were all run on Monday – it would be a very busy day for the Magnus Racing crew and drivers.

In the morning qualifying session, Potter would put in a solid qualifying effort with hopes of better fortune in the race. Unfortunately, the race got off to a poor start when contact between Daytona Prototypes at the start led to a bottle-neck, creating contact between Potter and the No. 69 Mazda RX-8, leading to a cut tire for Potter. Although the race went quickly under full course yellow, Potter would go down a lap as he pitted for a new tire and the Magnus Racing crew inspected the right rear suspension of the Porsche for damage.

When the race went green again, Potter was able to avoid further trouble during what would end up becoming a long stint. With the forced early stop, the Magnus Racing team opted to leave Potter in the car as long as possible, hoping a yellow flag period would help get the No. 44 Porsche back on the lead lap with the aid of a wave-bye.

Unfortunately, the rest of the race was caution free and a fairly uneventful affair for the team. Potter turned the car over to Stanton just past the one-hour mark, and Stanton was able to pick up one position late in the race to bring the car home in ninth place.

Additionally, Magnus Racing also fielded a car in Saturday’s Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge for drivers Bill Sweedler and Leh Keen. Sweedler, making his debut for Magnus Racing, had never driven the team’s Porsche Cayman before yet quickly acclimated himself on his home track. After a consistent and strong series of practice and qualifying rounds, Sweedler was also a victim of opening lap contact as he was collected by a spinning car entering the famed Big Bend corner. Unfortunately for the team, the damage was too substantial to repair during the race.

“We expected a challenging weekend, but it’s hard to have both of our cars run into trouble on the opening lap,” said Potter. “But that’s how it goes sometimes. I hate it for Bill and Leh – Bill was making good progress in each session in the Cayman and we know Leh is extremely quick in that car. I think they definitely would have surprised some people and put on a great show in the Continental race and it’s such a shame that their race was over so quickly.”

While his own GT race did not go as well as he would have liked, Potter takes a long view of the season championship.

“It’s not really a surprise that the Daytona Prototypes tripped up the GT field,” he said. “When they aren’t running into us, they are running into each other but still causing problems for the GT cars. Going down a lap here is really hard and without any yellows we didn’t have a chance to get back on the lead lap. But after that we stayed away from trouble and we were still able to get a top ten. It’s not a great result but as close as the championship is each of these points will be really important.”

Stanton, who had little trouble in the Porsche during his one hour and forty-five minute stint despite the high heat, echoed Potter’s thoughts.

“When we find ourselves in a position like this, where we are in trouble early, we just have to bring the car home and grab as many points as we can,” said Stanton, the 2004 Rolex Series GT champion. “Ninth means we still bring some points home and stay within shot of the championship.”

Potter and Stanton are now eleventh in the GT class championship, but are a scant nineteen points behind championship leaders Bill Auberlen and Paul Dalla Lana after five races in the Rolex Series championship. They are back in action this weekend at the Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen, to be held at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York.

 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.