Following a 2011 season which included not only NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie-of-the-Year honors, but also his third Rolex 24 at Daytona victory and sixth Rolex watch, GRAND-AM veteran Andy Lally will return to the Rolex Sports Car Series full-time in 2012 with Magnus Racing.
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Magnus Racing will enter its third full season of GRAND-AM competition in 2012. Following two successful seasons in the series, the team has amassed accolades including two podium finishes, 10 top-10 finishes, one pole position, and a strong record in the series’ endurance races.
Focused on race wins and the Rolex Series GT championship, the hiring of Lally was a natural fit to the team’s 2012 plans. Known as a Porsche specialist, the Northport, NY native has taken most of his successes over the last eight years behind the wheel of Porsche machinery, including taking the 2004 Rolex Series championship and Rolex 24 GT victories in 2009 and 2011. Lally, a three-time Rolex Series champion (2001 SRP II, 2004SGS, 2006 Rolex GT), is also GRAND-AM’s all-time mileage and podiums leader.
Focused on race wins and the Rolex Series GT championship, the hiring of Lally was a natural fit to the team’s 2012 plans. Known as a Porsche specialist, the Northport, NY native has taken most of his successes over the last eight years behind the wheel of Porsche machinery, including taking the 2004 Rolex Series championship and Rolex 24 GT victories in 2009 and 2011. Lally, a three-time Rolex Series champion (2001 SRP II, 2004SGS, 2006 Rolex GT), is also GRAND-AM’s all-time mileage and podiums leader.
Similarly, this is not the first time Lally has paired with Team Owner/Driver John Potter. Driving together in a Porsche 911 in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge in 2009, the duo scored one win – Potter’s first in professional sports car racing – as well as two additional podiums.
In 2012, Potter and Lally will return to Porsche machinery, as well as retaining engineer Lars Giersing. Giersing led Lally to his GT championship in 2006, as well as two additional Rolex GT championships with Porsche teams in 2007 and 2009.
For John Potter, the ability to re-team with his 2009 Continental Tire co-driver is another step towards the team’s ambitions for top results.
“We’re extremely happy to welcome Andy in to our camp for 2012, and consider it a huge statement about our organization to see him come on board,” stated Potter. “Andy is not only a tremendous talent, but he provides a great spirit and leadership with him. We had a great time together in 2009, and considering his relationship with most of our crew, he’s already a part of the family.
“There is only one problem. With Andy driving for Magnus Racing now, I feel sorry for Lorie Bedell, who is in charge of our hospitality. Andy is a die hard Vegan and while I know Lorie is up to the challenge in her food planning, it’s going to be a new adventure! She is from New York, so when Lorie is happy, everyone is happy.”
For Lally, a new team is in many ways a homecoming, having worked with several members of the team in the past. “This is a new chapter for me and something I am very much looking forward to,” stated Lally. “I have not only worked with almost every person on this team at some point in my career, but I have also won with almost every person on this team. John has built a great team here and it is an honor for me to be a part of it now. I’ve raced with John in the past and we have always stayed in touch and been friendly, I love the attitude of the team and respect what they are trying to do. We have big goals and I will be working hard to do my part.”
Potter and Lally will make their return together at the upcoming December Test at Daytona International Speedway on December 6-7, and will begin their quest for the Rolex Sports Car Series championship beginning with the 50th Annual Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 28-29.
Source: Magnus Racing
Photos: Magnus Racing / IMSA
