BRYAN SELLERS LAUNCHES 2011 WITH 2ND-PLACE AT DAYTONA Porsche Ace Bests All-Time Grand-Am Finish with 2nd Career Rolex 24 GT Podium
DAYTONA BEACH, FL, February 1, 2011 - Bryan Sellers launched his 2011 sports car racing season over the weekend with his highest-ever finish in the Rolex 24 At Daytona (FL). Finishing second in the Grand Touring (GT) class, the Braselton, GA-resident narrowly missed taking home the coveted Rolex Daytona Cosmograph awarded to the winner of the Rolex 24. Sellers' No.48 Paul Miller Racing Porsche GT3 Cup entry raced within the top-three throughout the January 29-30, 24-hour race. After 684 laps of the 3.56-mile, 12-turn road course at Daytona International Speedway, Sellers collected his second podium finish in seven attempts at the Rolex 24. The finish ranks not only as Sellers best Daytona finish but his best result in the highly competitive, production-car based, Grand Touring (GT) class of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series.
The driver quartet of Sellers, Rob Bell (United Kingdom), Bryce Miller (United States) and Tim Sugden (United Kingdom) shared the No.48 Marquis Jets/Total/IPC Porsche throughout the twice-around the clock event. Starting 13th in the GT class, the experienced Anglo-American driver lineup fought its way to the front of the field quickly. Despite the typical obstacles of one of the world's most prestigious endurance events, Sellers and teammates rarely fell outside of the top-three. A late race scare posed the potential to knock the car off the podium when, with two hours remaining, the car went off track. Damage to the Porsche's front splitter - an aerodynamic device used to generate downforce at the front of the car - and other cosmetic damage was repaired quickly. The work was done so expertly that the No.48 was able to return to competition without losing its second-place position. However, the pit stop did end the pursuit of the class leading, and eventual race winning, No.67 Porsche.
One of the sport's major events, the Rolex 24 is the traditional start to the motorsport calendar. Sellers' impressive performance here has jumped-started the Ohio-native's 2011 results. Competing in multiple series, the former open wheel champion turned sports car ace will have his greatest platform for success of his young career. Beyond his podium-capturing performance in the Paul Miller Racing Porsche in the Rolex 24, Sellers will campaign the full 2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron in the No.17 Team Falken Tire Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.
Bryan Sellers: "I am very excited about our recent finish at Daytona. It is such an honor to finish on the podium in such a prestigious race. It's always great to start the season with a podium; there is nothing better than having a good result in the first race of the year. Hopefully it gets things moving in the right direction for the entire year."
-source: bryan sellers racing
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