Magnus Racing, joined again by Flex-Box for season, Adds Nicki Thiim to Rolex 24 Roster

*ding*

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. (January 9, 2023) – After months of intense worldwide speculation rivaling only the January 6th committee report and the release of Donald Trump’s tax returns, Magnus Racing is excited to make two big announcements. First, the return of longtime sponsor, Flex-Box, an international leader in the shipping container industry, yielding Magnus Racing with Flex-Box for 2023. The team is also proud to announce that Denmark sensation Nicki Thiim will join team regulars John Potter, Andy Lally, and Spencer Pumpelly in the No. 44 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 as the group contests the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona. The team previously revealed plans to run in all four IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship endurance races with Potter, Lally, and Pumpelly, with the remaining sprint races to be determined at a later date.

Nicki Thiim Joining as driver for Rolex 24
Straight from the land of the world’s favorite brick toy, Nicki Thiim brings an illustrious resume and an impressive head of hair to the driving lineup of the No. 44 Aston Martin Vantage GT3. The 33-year-old needs little introduction, but for the newer members of our audience, Thiim is an Aston Marton Racing Factory Driver and two-time WEC Champion. He has shiny and prestigious awards from all over the world, having secured victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2014), the 24H Nürburgring (2017), and the FIA World Endurance Championship (2016, 2020).

“The Rolex 24 At Daytona is one of my personal highlights of the year,” exclaimed Thiim. “To go there with all that Aston Martin and Magnus Racing with Flex-Box have done in IMSA over the years is a great opportunity. The fact that the Magnus crew did so well last year gives you a little more confidence to go there and do well for everyone! The Rolex 24 is the start of every season, and one of the top-three races every driver wants to do and do well in. Going from winter break straight to fighting a big battle is super awesome and exciting!”

Flex-Box Joining for Season
Flex-Box first partnered with Magnus Racing in 2011 at the Twelve Hours of Sebring, then they came together again for a full season in 2013. After that, Magnus and Flex-Box have partnered together numerous times in IMSA competition. Flex-Box is an international leader in shipping container development and manufacturing. Offering the “Best Box, Best Price”, they are known worldwide for continuing innovation and development of new industry standards, manufacturing shipping containers to meet customer requirements.

“We have worked together with Flex-Box for a number of seasons, most recently in 2020, and it’s great to be back with them again,” said Team Somebody John Potter. “Every time I drive through the newer tunnel into Daytona, I see on the wall our historic Magnus Racing/Flex-Box car and it brings back memories of our great partnerships. The best we have finished at Daytona with Flex-Box on the car was in 2020 when finishing second, and I hope we can improve that this year! We are partnered together for the entire season, so I hope we can find success beyond Daytona as well!”

The No. 44 Magnus Racing with Flex-Box Aston Martin Vantage GT3 will debut its new luminescent grey and blue livery, with a touch of Flex-Box orange, at the Roar Before the 24, the first full-series test at Daytona International Speedway, January 20-22. The team will participate in the several-day test event, getting Thiim plugged into the team and everyone getting significant track time in the Aston Martin. The 61st Rolex 24 at Daytona will begin Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 1:40 PM Eastern, with all 24 hours airing live on Peacock, NBC Universal’s streaming service. The race will start on NBC, and move across NBC Universal platforms, as well, concluding on USA. For more tune-in details and event information, visit imsa.com.

Magnus Racing Announces Shocking Driver Lineup for 2023 IMSA WeatherTech Entry

 

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. (December 15, 2022) – With the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona looming on the horizon, sports car racing team Magnus Racing is ready to reveal a completely shocking driver lineup for the No. 44 Aston Martin Vantage GT3. John Potter, Andy Lally, and Spencer Pumpelly will pilot the Aston Martin in the four endurance events of the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup. The fourth Daytona driver and the fate of the remaining seven sprint events to be announced at a later date.

The team will be celebrating its lucky 13th year in racing as the team kicks off the momentous occasion with the Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 25-29. Last season, the team put in an impressive performance in their new machinery from their ninth place starting position to finish second in the GTD class. This year, the team returns with strength in consistency, along with a season of experience under their belts in the Aston Martin and its exemplary support from the British manufacturer.

“I am just excited to back with Aston Martin and their engineering team,” said Team Somebody John Potter. “It’s great to have so many crew returning too.  Will be a great Daytona to start the season and I just wonder if we will ever get a clean lap during the entire 24 with so many cars!

Andy Lally’s return to the team brings about a notable anniversary, as the skateboarder who sometimes drives a race car completed his 10th year with the team in 2022 and will return for his 11th this year. 

“It’s an honor to be back with Magnus Racing,” said Lally. “John has been a great teammate over the years, and we have had a lot of success together. I’m looking forward for running the Aston for a second season and building on what we learned in 2022.

Sports car racing champion Pumpelly returns with the team, and will compete in his 22nd Rolex 24, eager to become a three-time Daytona 24 At Daytona race winner. Despite the continued success of his nationally known rock band, the Terrible Two, the lead guitarist was able to carve out time to again join the Magnus Racing squad for the 2023 season.

“This season I’m really excited to start racing with Magnus again,” said Pumpelly, or perhaps someone else with the Pumpelly surname. “Everyone is really nice there and Magnus is one of my favorite racing teams. I think we improved from last year. I really like working with my best bud Andy Lally and John is really nice and he does good in the car. And thank you Magnus, that’s all.”

“That’s the most horriblest quote ever,” concluded Lally.

The friendly and fierce trio will kick off the 2023 season with Magnus Racing once again in January.  The field for the Rolex 24 At Daytona hit capacity during the off season, prompting series officials to recreate a reserve list for the at least nine entries that didn’t make the 61-car filed. The literally packed event will begin January 20th with the Roar Before the 24, the first full-season test for the series before official race activities begin on Thursday, January 26. The 2023 Rolex 24 At Daytona will begin on Saturday, January 28 at 1:40 PM. Magnus Racing will reveal further event details in the coming weeks.

Sean | Comments Off | Share Article

Tuesday

Nov012022

Magnus Racing Remembers Greg Fordahl

Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 02:03PM

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. (November 1, 2022) – Following the sudden passing of renowned engineer Greg Fordahl on Sunday, the entire team at Magnus Racing joins the motorsport community in honoring his memory and extending our heartfelt sympathies to his family and loved ones. 

A known figure throughout the paddock, Greg joined the team in 2018 in an advisory capacity, adding a wealth of knowledge to the group in the form of both engineering and team dynamics. A positive and engaging character, his presence was a welcome addition, aiding the team in achieving multiple podiums. 

John Potter, Team Owner and Co-Driver
“We brought Greg in during a difficult 2018 season, and he was a very welcome addition to the group. He had a great penchant for recognizing a team’s strengths and weaknesses and using his experience he was very helpful in identifying key areas for improvement. Most importantly, he was a very straightforward and honest character, and I always respected his no BS way of working with us. Greg was so instrumental in my 2020 driver season, too.  He deserves huge credit for 2020 successes and, most importantly, me keeping my sanity on a drama filled year!  For that, I will always be grateful. He’ll be missed and we wish his family and friends our sympathies.” 

Andy Lally, Co-Driver
“Greg was a great man and will be missed. The only thing he had more of than incredible stories, was an incredible list of victories that covered decades of competition at just about every racetrack imaginable. His determination and creativity drove him to be one of the most unique, successful and enjoyable friends in our industry.” 

John Bedell, Team Manager
“I had the pleasure of working with Greg through several teams, and he was someone we all respected. His way of working was very traditional, which suited our group very well, as he was friendly yet no-nonsense and that was incredibly beneficial during our time together. Greg was invested in everyone’s success, which is the kind of person you always hope to work with.”

Sean | Comments Off | Share Article

Thursday

Sep292022

Tune In: Magnus Racing’s Petit Le Mans Apparel Buyback

Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 02:08PM

Turn in your gear: No questions asked

The season finale for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is taking place this weekend at Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Magnus Racing is celebrating our first year back running under our own banner, and so we are conducting an apparel buyback program at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. This effort is a part of our sweeping anti-brand dilution initiative to clean up the paddock streets, protect our young fans from the non-fully Magnus days, and also corner the market on our team merchandise. 

No questions asked: we’re going to reward all fans who bring us their old Magnus GRT and Magnus with Archangel gear, by providing gift certificates to Styled Aesthetic, our merchandise provider. Fans can bring the old apparel to the Friday autograph session, or turn it in all weekend long at the Styled Aesthetic garage in the vendor area. GRT Magnus gear will net a $15.00 gift certificate, while Magnus with Archangel will pull in $10.00. Crew gear will not be eligible, though we’re not in the habit of handing that out anyway. To make sure no one uses this as a profit-making venture, homemade gear is not eligible. No purchase investigations will be conducted. Shirts must be functional. Sleeves Required.

All old gear will be donated to Andy Lally’s hometown, given to a good cause to help those in need.

In addition to our buyback program, we’ll be racing this weekend, competing in the 10-hour endurance event known as Petit Le Mans. The usual players of John Potter, Andy Lally, and Spencer Pumpelly are racing the No. 44 Magnus Racing Aston Martin, in what might be a windy and wet race, thanks to Hurricane Ian. If you won’t be splashing in the puddles with us at Road Atlanta, then tune in this Saturday at 12:10 PM ET on Peacock (or NBC for the first three hours).

Sean | Comments Off | Share Article

Thursday

Aug182022

Magnus Racing Goes for Value in Virginia with Last Minute Entry

Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 04:19PM

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. (August 18, 2022) -- Magnus Racing has decided to make a surprise entry into the upcoming IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round at VIRginia International Raceway, August 26-28.  

"We had all the crew and parts available to run another race, so why not,” said Team Somebody John Potter. “And in this period of high inflation, our dollars go a lot further in Danville than elsewhere, so it really seemed the perfect match.” 

Though the No. 44 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 racing team originally announced only running the four endurance races of the year (Rolex 24 At Daytona, Twelve Hours of Sebring, Six Hours of the Glen, and Petit Le Mans), the fan-favorite effort missed being a part of the action, checked the budgets, and decided to return one race early. The team will get the biggest bang for their buck in traveling to Danville, Virginia, and perhaps even a podium at the beautiful Virginia International Raceway. 

Just the Michelin GT Challenge at VIR and Motul Petit Le Mans are all that remain of the 12-race 2022 schedule. Magnus Racing kicked the year off in spectacular fashion with a second-place finish at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The team finished sixth at the grueling Twelve Hours of Sebring, then survived a weather-delayed and penalty-filled post-race to earn a fifth-place finish at Watkins Glen International. 

The race weekend in Danville, Virginia will allow the team and drivers John Potter and Andy Lally some additional track time to prepare for the final event of the year, Petit Le Mans. Spencer Pumpelly will have to get his additional preparation laps at another time. Though the team is eighth in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup GTD team standings, the field is incredibly tight, with fifth through 16^th place being separated by a mere three points. 

Magnus Racing will have two and a half hours of practice before a fifteen-minute qualifying session on Saturday afternoon. The Michelin GT Challenge at VIR will be a mere two hours, 40 minutes, clocking in at the shortest race of the year for the No. 44 Aston Martin and her team. The race will air live on Sunday, August 28 starting at 2:00 PM Eastern on CNBC, and stream live on Peacock. For more information, visit imsa.com. 

Sean | Comments Off | Share Article

Page 1 2 3 4 5 ... 101 Next 5 Entries »

Magnus Racing Remembers Greg Fordahl

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. (November 1, 2022) – Following the sudden passing of renowned engineer Greg Fordahl on Sunday, the entire team at Magnus Racing joins the motorsport community in honoring his memory and extending our heartfelt sympathies to his family and loved ones. 

A known figure throughout the paddock, Greg joined the team in 2018 in an advisory capacity, adding a wealth of knowledge to the group in the form of both engineering and team dynamics. A positive and engaging character, his presence was a welcome addition, aiding the team in achieving multiple podiums. 

John Potter, Team Owner and Co-Driver
“We brought Greg in during a difficult 2018 season, and he was a very welcome addition to the group. He had a great penchant for recognizing a team’s strengths and weaknesses and using his experience he was very helpful in identifying key areas for improvement. Most importantly, he was a very straightforward and honest character, and I always respected his no BS way of working with us. Greg was so instrumental in my 2020 driver season, too.  He deserves huge credit for 2020 successes and, most importantly, me keeping my sanity on a drama filled year!  For that, I will always be grateful. He’ll be missed and we wish his family and friends our sympathies.” 

Andy Lally, Co-Driver
“Greg was a great man and will be missed. The only thing he had more of than incredible stories, was an incredible list of victories that covered decades of competition at just about every racetrack imaginable. His determination and creativity drove him to be one of the most unique, successful and enjoyable friends in our industry.” 

John Bedell, Team Manager
“I had the pleasure of working with Greg through several teams, and he was someone we all respected. His way of working was very traditional, which suited our group very well, as he was friendly yet no-nonsense and that was incredibly beneficial during our time together. Greg was invested in everyone’s success, which is the kind of person you always hope to work with.”

Tune In: Magnus Racing’s Petit Le Mans Apparel Buyback

Turn in your gear: No questions asked

The season finale for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is taking place this weekend at Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Magnus Racing is celebrating our first year back running under our own banner, and so we are conducting an apparel buyback program at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. This effort is a part of our sweeping anti-brand dilution initiative to clean up the paddock streets, protect our young fans from the non-fully Magnus days, and also corner the market on our team merchandise. 

No questions asked: we’re going to reward all fans who bring us their old Magnus GRT and Magnus with Archangel gear, by providing gift certificates to Styled Aesthetic, our merchandise provider. Fans can bring the old apparel to the Friday autograph session, or turn it in all weekend long at the Styled Aesthetic garage in the vendor area. GRT Magnus gear will net a $15.00 gift certificate, while Magnus with Archangel will pull in $10.00. Crew gear will not be eligible, though we’re not in the habit of handing that out anyway. To make sure no one uses this as a profit-making venture, homemade gear is not eligible. No purchase investigations will be conducted. Shirts must be functional. Sleeves Required.

All old gear will be donated to Andy Lally’s hometown, given to a good cause to help those in need.

In addition to our buyback program, we’ll be racing this weekend, competing in the 10-hour endurance event known as Petit Le Mans. The usual players of John Potter, Andy Lally, and Spencer Pumpelly are racing the No. 44 Magnus Racing Aston Martin, in what might be a windy and wet race, thanks to Hurricane Ian. If you won’t be splashing in the puddles with us at Road Atlanta, then tune in this Saturday at 12:10 PM ET on Peacock (or NBC for the first three hours).

Magnus Racing Goes for Value in Virginia with Last Minute Entry

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. (August 18, 2022) -- Magnus Racing has decided to make a surprise entry into the upcoming IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round at VIRginia International Raceway, August 26-28.  

"We had all the crew and parts available to run another race, so why not,” said Team Somebody John Potter. “And in this period of high inflation, our dollars go a lot further in Danville than elsewhere, so it really seemed the perfect match.” 

Though the No. 44 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 racing team originally announced only running the four endurance races of the year (Rolex 24 At Daytona, Twelve Hours of Sebring, Six Hours of the Glen, and Petit Le Mans), the fan-favorite effort missed being a part of the action, checked the budgets, and decided to return one race early. The team will get the biggest bang for their buck in traveling to Danville, Virginia, and perhaps even a podium at the beautiful Virginia International Raceway. 

Just the Michelin GT Challenge at VIR and Motul Petit Le Mans are all that remain of the 12-race 2022 schedule. Magnus Racing kicked the year off in spectacular fashion with a second-place finish at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The team finished sixth at the grueling Twelve Hours of Sebring, then survived a weather-delayed and penalty-filled post-race to earn a fifth-place finish at Watkins Glen International. 

The race weekend in Danville, Virginia will allow the team and drivers John Potter and Andy Lally some additional track time to prepare for the final event of the year, Petit Le Mans. Spencer Pumpelly will have to get his additional preparation laps at another time. Though the team is eighth in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup GTD team standings, the field is incredibly tight, with fifth through 16^th place being separated by a mere three points. 

Magnus Racing will have two and a half hours of practice before a fifteen-minute qualifying session on Saturday afternoon. The Michelin GT Challenge at VIR will be a mere two hours, 40 minutes, clocking in at the shortest race of the year for the No. 44 Aston Martin and her team. The race will air live on Sunday, August 28 starting at 2:00 PM Eastern on CNBC, and stream live on Peacock. For more information, visit imsa.com.