Magnus Racing Takes Top-10 in Detroit
Monday, June 6, 2016 at 12:32PM 
DETROIT (June 6, 2016)- Returning to a track that has been notoriously challenging for the team, Magnus Racing would finish Saturday’s Chevrolet Sports Car Classic presented by Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers in a quiet 10th.
“We knew this would be a challenging weekend for us,” stated team owner and co-driver John Potter. “For whatever reason the circuit at Belle Isle has just never been our track, and this weekend proved no different. I applaud everyone on the team for working hard throughout the weekend, we definitely put in the effort, and ultimately seeing the checkered flag in 10th was all we could ask for.”
As the lone temporary street circuit for the GTD category of IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the bumpy and tight nature of the 2.36-mile course has notoriously proven difficult for the team. In 2014, the team was blighted with penalties which cost the team a possible podium, and in 2015 the team’s co-driver Andy Lally was caught in an unavoidable incident that put the team well behind.
For the 2016 race, John Potter would take starting duties in the No. 44 Audi Tire Center / Auric Solar Audi R8 LMS. Starting from the eighth row, Potter simply managed his time throughout his stint, making a solid pass early on and largely focused on preserving his car. Maintaining contact with the lead pack, an opportune yellow would present itself just past the 35-minute mark of the race, allowing the team to pit in favor of co-driver Andy Lally to take the car through the remainder of the 100-minute race.
Executing a flawless stop, all attention was now on Lally to work on the field in front of him. Showing strong pace, a combination of constant yellow flags and difficulty passing would undermine the pace of the Audi, with Andy doing his best to work on the field in front of him but struggling to gain ground.
As the laps wound down, Lally would be able to make one last gasp pass on the No. 94 Turner BMW of Markus Palttala on the final lap, slotting him in to 10th and gaining valuable points in the process.
“This was just one of those races you know you have to get through,” stated Lally. “Everyone on the team did their part, this just wasn’t a good weekend for us. Luckily we walked away with a car that is still in tact and we definitely learned a few things, so I think headed in to the rest of the season we’ll be in pretty good shape.
With the event behind them, all focus now turns to an event where the team has done well at, the Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen in Watkins Glen, New York. As the third round of the Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Championship, the team will take to the track on Friday, July 1, with the six-hour classic taking place that Sunday. The team will have more details on the event shortly.
