SCC: Mid-Ohio: Magnus Racing race report

Potter and Keen earn first podium for Magnus Racing at Mid-Ohio

June 20, 2010 (Lexington, Ohio) -- Two weeks after its most competitive outing yet in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, the No.44 Magnus Racing Porsche Cayman came good on its competitive promise at the EMCO Gears Classic at Mid Ohio.

When Leh Keen crossed the finish line in second place at the end of the two hour and thirty minute slugfest, he and John Potter, team owner and driver of Magnus Racing, became the first drivers to pilot a Porsche Cayman to a podium in GRAND-AM competition. Beginning the race in 16th position, Potter advanced several positions before he was hit from behind and spun by another competitor, dropping him well down the order. Potter was able to point the car in the right direction and with assistance from a couple of yellow flags, had the car up to sixth position before handing it over to Leh Keen under yellow. A problem with the pit equipment meant a long stop that dropped the car to 15th on the restart.

Just like at Watkins Glen two weeks ago, Keen scythed through the field, his progress stopping when he reached the fifth position. A late race caution bunched up the field and contributed to contact between the two leading cars with a lap and a half remaining, which promoted Keen to third. Keen simultaneously made a pass on the car ahead of him, putting the No.44 Magnus Racing Porsche Cayman into second place at the checkered flag.

After Keen and Potter sprayed the champagne in victory circle, Potter jumped into the No.44 Magnus Racing Porsche GT3 Cup that he shares with Craig Stanton for the afternoon's Rolex Sports Car Series race. The race had barely begun when Potter was hit by a Daytona Prototype as he entered turn one, causing the Porsche to hit the retaining wall. The resulting damage caused the team to retire the car after only 12 laps, the first DNF for the team in the Rolex Sports Car Series this year.

"On one hand, I'm really happy about our result in the Continental Tire Sports Car Series race with our Porsche Cayman," said Potter at the end of the day. "The team had to work very hard at Watkins Glen, and in the two weeks after Watkins Glen to make the car race ready and it was really good today. I had a really fun first stint, even despite getting hit and spun. Getting hit seems to have been the theme of the day..."

The result in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge was Potter's third podium in the class, as he carded a class win and a second in GS in the 2009 season. After the pace that Potter and Stanton had in the GT3 throughout practice, the team was hopeful of another strong run in the race.

"In the Rolex race, the Porsche was working really well and I was just trying to run clean laps and stay with the group aehad so I could give Craig a good car for the end," said Potter. "But, there isn't much you can do when the prototypes drive like you aren't there."

-source: magnus racing