Magnus Racing ready for 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona

Magnus Racing ready for 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona
APR Motorsport fields six cars for 2012 GRAND-AM season
Download the 2012 Rolex 24 at Daytona Spotter Guide
Oryx Racing Audi R8 Grand Am livery reveal

Posted: 24 Jan 2012 02:08 PM PST

As the last bolts were checked and final graphics applied, the Magnus Racing haulers containing both entries for this year's historic 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona are headed to the beautiful shores of Daytona Beach, Florida, in preparation for North America's most important sportscar event of the year.

Running two cars in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series for the first time in team history, Magnus Racing has already established a great reputation at Daytona. Finishing fifth in their debut event in 2010, and following it up last year just one position short of a podium, the team heads to the 50th running with two cars capable of achieving top results.

"We were very fortunate to have a solid, damage-free test two weeks ago," stated John Potter, Team Owner and Driver of the no. 44. "As a result, during these last couple of weeks we've been able to just focus on prepping and getting the cars perfect for the race. The guys have worked hard these past few days getting ready, and I feel very confident headed in to the weekend."

In what is widely regarded as the most competitive GT field in the history of the event, the Magnus Racing no. 44 Porsche GT3 Cup showed great promise during the Roar Before the 24 test held earlier this month. Consistently challenging in the top-five on the time sheets, the combination of season-long teammates John Potter and Andy Lally, combined with Porsche specialists Richard Lietz and Renee Rast, proved formidable.

For Andy Lally, in pursuit of his fourth Rolex 24 victory, cautious optimism is the dominant theme.

"This is a very, very strong team but we have to stay focused," stated Lally. "During the test, it's very tough to truly know what everyone is capable of. There's easily 15 cars that could win this thing. Luckily, we're right in the thick of it, so we're just going to have to play a very smart and patient race. Luckily we've got a fantastic team and great group of teammates to get us there."

Not to be out-done, the Magnus Racing No. 4 eBay Motors/Children's Tumor Foundation/Racing4Research Porsche GT3 Cup heads to the event equally confident in a strong race. Following a relatively trouble-free test, the combination of Ryan Eversley, Justin Bell, Daniel Graeff, and Ron Yarab proved equally capable, with the team also setting lap times within the top-10.

Racing for more than just a watch, the team is using this effort as a means to raise donations and awareness for children suffering from neurofibromatosis. NF affects one in every 3,000 children, more than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington's disease combined, and can lead to a wide variety of complications, including blindness, bone abnormalities, cancer, deafness, disfigurement, learning disabilities and excruciating and disabling pain.

Beyond charity, the no. 4 car will also be a constant source of attention as team driver Justin Bell, also known for his on-screen exploits on SPEED as well as eBay's "The World's Fastest Car Show," will act as SPEED's in-race reporter, in which he'll literally provide on-air insight and commentary while driving the no. 4.

For Daniel Graeff, who has been with the CTF program for four years, the 50th Rolex promises to be the best event yet.

"The team has really put together a terrific program," stated Graeff. " On the track, the performance of the team has simply been fantastic. We have a car very capable of top results. For our program of course, there's more at stake than just results, and with Magnus we've found a team also capable of helping draw a lot of attention and support to our program."

Indeed, beyond the presence of over 100 children and families who will appear trackside as "NF heroes" for the foundation, as well as Justin Bell's in race reporting, Magnus Racing and CTF, in participation with Ustream and eBay Motors, will also present a live, 24-hour interactive Ustream webcast throughout the entirety of the race. Hosted by CTF's Jill Beck and Sean Heckman of The Media Barons, Magnus Racing's "Live at Daytona!" can be viewed on magnusracing.com or racing4research.org. The team encourages everyone to log in, watch, and chat live with the drivers, personnel, and other notables throughout the race.

"The Ustream webcast adds an extra element of interactivity for our fans," stated Jill Beck of The Children's Tumor Foundation. "We were involved in a very similar program last year and it really added great value, and we're thrilled to work with the same producing group who've brought the service to Magnus Racing."

Between contending for victory, live on-air commentary on SPEED, and even producing a full-time, interactive Ustream webcast, Magnus Racing is headed in to a very busy week.

"It's going to be a busy few days, but it's the biggest event of the season," stated Potter. "We open the season with our marque event, and for the 50th running we wanted to make sure Magnus Racing's presence was known."

Magnus Racing's "Live from Daytona!" will be at every practice and qualifying session starting on Thursday, January 26 at 10AM ET, with of course the big event beginning Saturday, January 28, at 3:30PM ET.

For more information, be sure to visit www.magnusracing.com, as well as check in all week via Facebook and Twitter (@magnusracing) to take part in an on-going series of contests and giveaways.

- Magnus Racing

Magnus Racing charges through field before daybreak in Daytona

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APR Motorsport fields six cars for 2012 GRAND-AM season

Posted: 24 Jan 2012 11:17 AM PST

ONEIGHTURBO

APR Motorsport fields six cars for 2012 CTSCC

What is there not to love about APR Motorsport? They offer some of the best Audi and Volkswagen performance products money can buy, period. Now, APR Motorsport will field the largest VW / Audi racing program on our shores. 1 Audi S4, 2 VW GTIs, 2 VW Jettas and 1 badass Audi R8 Grand Am.

Augmenting the previously announced no. 41 APR Tuned Audi S4 for Ian Baas and Nelson Canache in the GS class, as well as the no. 171 APR Tuned VW GTI for Aleks Altberg and David Cheng, the team will add three additional VW’s in the ST class for the 2012 season, beginning with this Friday’s BMW Performance 200 at Daytona International Speedway. The team will add yet another car to the lineup beginning with the series’ second race at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, bringing the team’s CTSCC total to six cars and making APR Motorsport, along with its entry in the Rolex Series, the largest team this season in GRAND-AM.

As part of the expansion, the team will roll out a pair of brand new Mk. 6 VW Jetta GLI’s for this week’s BMW Performance 200 at Daytona. The team shook down the first Jetta at the CTSCC’s January Test Days at Daytona International Speedway, where initial feedback from the drivers was overwhelmingly positive.

no191 APR Motorsport VW Jetta GLI

Rookies Hector Guerrero and Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle, from Puebla, Mexico, will steer the new no. 181 APR Tuned VW Jetta GLI. Lendle is no stranger to racing VWs, as he scored a win and numerous podiums in the VW TDI Cup USA in 2010, and has also competed in Mexico’s Formula 2000 powered by Volkswagen. He comes to APR after winning the 2011 Gran Turismo Turbo championship in Mexico, with two wins. Guerrero is a veteran of the Venezuelan GT class championship, and took the championship in 2008.

Fellow rookies Daniel LaRiva, from Anzoatequi, Venezuela and Christian Perez, from Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela, will be driving the no. 191 APR Tuned VW Jetta GLI in their first season in the CTSCC. LaRiva scored two wins in 2011 in Venezuela’s Super Touring GT championship, while Perez finished third in the Venezuelan South Eastern GT championship.

Returning to APR for a full season in the ST class, Nate Norenberg, from Plymouth, Minnesota, will be joined by Juan Carlos Alvarez, from Maracay, Venezuela, in the no. 161 APR Tuned VW GTI. Norenberg finished second in his debut with APR last season at Watkins Glen after beginning his professional driving career in the VW TDI Cup, while Alvarez brings a long history of sportscar, endurance racing, and Seat Leon Supercup experience to his rookie season in GRAND-AM.

no161 APR Motorsport VW GTI

“It was, without a doubt, a massive undertaking for us to field this many cars in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge,” said Jeff Mishtawy, Director of Motorsports for APR. “There have been many long nights at the shop in preparation for Daytona, but it will be a very impressive sight with our cars lined up in the pits and together on track. Each of our cars will be capable of getting race wins and continuing APR’s competitive tradition in the CTSCC. We have won races and contended for the championship each season we have raced in the CTSCC, and our APR Tuned GTI’s and Jettas are more than capable of doing it again in 2012.”

APR’s winning record in the CTSCC is what has attracted a number of international drivers to the program in 2012. While the team has grown to accommodate the number of drivers, the staff at APR has also had to brush up on a new language to prepare for the new season.

“It is very exciting that we have attracted a large number of international drivers to our program,” said Mishtawy. “In testing, we’ve seen that they clearly have the speed and talent to drive at this level, and we will be working closely with them to develop them into winning endurance drivers. At the same time, our entire staff – and our North American drivers Nate, David, Aleks and Ian – is now learning Spanish!”

APR Motorsport’s five car CTSCC team will compete in the season-opening CTSCC race, the BMW Performance 200, this Friday at Daytona International Raceway. The race will be broadcast Saturday, February 4th, at 12:00 PM ET on SPEED Channel.

TRG announces Pumpelly, Bertheau team for 2012 Grand-Am Series

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Download the 2012 Rolex 24 at Daytona Spotter Guide

Posted: 24 Jan 2012 09:49 AM PST

ONEIGHTURBO

Oneighturbo Spotter Guide Rolex24 S1v1

Here we go! The 2012 North American motorsport season will kick-off this weekend with the 50th Edition of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. To celebrate the 50th Edition of the Rolex 24 Hours, Andy Blackmore Design has released a new Rolex 24 at Daytona Spotter Guide, presented by SPEED.com. Currently the guide is up to date with all 60 entries.

CLICK HERE to download the guides

We are headed down and will be bringing you live coverage, pics and more.

Oneighturbo Spotter Guide Rolex24 S2v1

Wether you’re at a home watching the race or at the track, we highly recommend having a Spotter Guide with you. Andy Blackmore spends numerous of hours putting these together for the fans. Print it out, download to an iPad / iPhone / tablet etc.

A great idea we’ve seen many do is having one at the autograph sessions!

Partners including RadioLeMans.com, DailySportsCar.com, Fourtitude, Speedhunters, l’endurance and oneighturbo.com.

Many thanks to our partners and the teams who helped us along the way. Extra thanks to Graham Goodwin, Marcel ten Caat, John Dagys and Marshall Pruett for all their help.

Never miss a race with the 2012 Racing Wall Planner from Spotter Guides / Andy Blackmore Design. Name the series, it’s in here!

2012 Racing Wall Planner from Spotter Guides / Andy Blackmore Design

CLICK HERE to download

2011 ALMS/ILMC Petit Le Mans Spotter Guide is live

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Oryx Racing Audi R8 Grand Am livery reveal

Posted: 24 Jan 2012 06:12 AM PST

ONEIGHTURBO

Oryx Racing Audi R8 Grand Am livery reveal

We are very excited to see another Audi R8 Grand Am entry. If you recall, Oryx Racing ran a B09/86 LMP Coupe in the American Le Mans Series. For 2012 they have switched gears and joined the Audi Customer Racing program. Along with APR Motorsports, these will be the first racing Audi R8 to hit the U.S. The livery looks outstanding and we can’t wait to bring you more this weekend!

Oryx Racing, the Abu Dhabi based international race team, will continue to compete in the USA in 2012. “Sports car racing in America is very competitive and professional so it offers us a challenging environment in which to develop as a team and as drivers.” said Humaid al Masaood Team Principal and Number 1 driver.

For 2012 Oryx will race in the Rolex Grand Am series in an Audi R8 Grand Am as part of the Audi Customer Racing program. The championship consists of 13 races starting with the 50th running of the legendary Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“Grand Am is the up and coming sports car series in the USA at the moment, grids are increasing and it has a great TV package with most races covered live on Speed TV delivering huge audiences. We enjoyed racing in ALMS last year but we felt it was time for a new challenge.” explained Commercial Manager, Jonathan Tait.

“The Rolex 24 at Daytona is one of the worlds most famous endurance races; it is a great honor to be competing in the 50th running of the race.” Humaid said, “I enjoy 24hr races having done the Dubai 24hr several times and the team are good a delivering and maintaining a reliable car. We have not had much time with the car yet but we will take a pragmatic approach to the race and hopefully will still be in it and running well by hour 24″

“The car was only delivered in early January so we have not had much time to run it or work on it yet.” explained Team Manager, Tom Maplethorpe. “Having said that the build quality direct from Audi Customer Racing is exceptionally high, it really was ready to hit the track straight out of the box, it seems like they build their race cars to the same quality assurance standards as their road cars!”

“I cant wait to get stuck into the 24hr in this car”, quipped Steven Kane, number 2 driver, “The Audi R8 has proved itself a great GT car in Europe and it has loads of grip and strong brakes. It would have been good for the team to have more time with it but the 24hr will gives us a lot of data and a good understanding of the car and we expect to be very competitive across the season”

reveal