Burtin Racing ready and prepared for Daytona 24H

FOAMETIX®/Burtin Racing with Goldcrest Motorsports Returns Ready and Prepared for Historic Running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona

No. 17 FOAMETIX/Burtin Racing Porsche GT3 uses solid data from test to set strategy for 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 at Daytona

#17 Burtin Racing with Goldcrest Motorsports Porsche GT3: Sebastian Asch, Jack Baldwin, Claudio Burtin, Martin Ragginger, Bryan Sellers

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 24, 2012) – The No. 17 FOAMETIX®/Burtin Racing with Goldcrest Motorsports Porsche GT3 is geared-up and ready for this weekend’s 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona with drivers Claudio Burtin, Martin Ragginger, Jack Baldwin, Bryan Sellers and Sebastian Asch. Since the Roar Before the Rolex 24 Test earlier this month at Daytona, the team has reviewed data, prepared mentally and physically, and worked hard while getting as much rest as possible before the day-long race that starts this Saturday, January 28, at 3:30 p.m. ET. Live coverage on SPEED starts at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT.

Ragginger posted the team’s best effort of the Roar weekend with a lap time of 1:49.623 (116.910 mph), which maintained a solid top-eight ranking in the 45-car GT class field.

Racing legend and former Rolex 24 class winner Baldwin is competing in his 23rd Rolex 24 this weekend. Baldwin understands the intricacies of the Rolex 24 and knows what it takes to stay competitive during the endurance race. Having raced through countless endurance events over the years, Baldwin has a unique way of explaining the Rolex 24.

“This race is kind of like an epic novel,” Baldwin said. “The race has so many layers of what happens, the ebbs and flows, and how it goes through the night. It’s like that Western movie Lonesome Dove.”

Baldwin learned early on that the dynamics of the team, and the role each member plays during the race, is critical mix.

“Everybody has a position to play and I will play my position,” Baldwin said. “If I need to go faster, then the team will tell me to bump it up a little bit. I’m going out there to run a pace that I can run really nice, comfortable, safe, and take care of the equipment. I want to do exactly what they need me to do. That’s the way it works with a good team. Everybody has a position to play and they need to play that position.”

Team owner/driver Burtin also has previous experience at the Rolex 24 and is the main driving forces in bringing FOAMETIX back to the race each year.

“We had a great test session earlier this month and that prepared us for the race,” Burtin said. “We’re really looking forward to the race this weekend. Daytona is a very unique, special place and it can be very unforgiving sometimes. I want to win this year, there’s no doubt about it. Two years ago we finished 12th, so we’re looking to do better this year.”

Pulling double-duty in both the Continental Tire Challenge Series and Rolex 24 races this weekend is Ohio native Sellers. Eager to compete in the golden anniversary event, Sellers wants to absorb every moment of the excitement.

“Winning at Daytona would be special in its own right,” said Sellers, who was part of last year’s second-place GT team. “But everyone has pulled out the stops for the 50th Anniversary, so winning it on such an occasion would be indescribable. Finishing on the podium is a huge honor at Daytona, but it is one of those races that you come to win. I think everyone would be happy with a top five, but a win is the goal.”