It was just two days ago that we reported on Magnus Racing taking delivery of their new 2014 Porsche 991 GT America, and they already have it on track. In preparation for the 2014 Tudor United Sports Car Championship, the team is on the testing trail, racking up the miles at Sebring International Raceway in beautiful Florida.
In a move that really surprises nobody, Magnus Racing have re-upped Andy Lally’s contract as a primary driver in the #44 car, to contest the full 2014 season. As such, Andy is in Sebring, FL as well, providing much-needed feedback on the brand new car.
We spoke to Andy and asked if he had any comments on how the new car was on track. Responding with his usual polite candor, Lally said,
“The new car is great and feels something like a cross between the traditional cup car feel and an RSR. The new paddle shift gear box is amazing and we are spending these next couple of days working on finding out what it likes around the bumpy Sebring track to get the handling as good as it can be.” As most drivers know, if a car can survive the jarring and broken concrete of Sebring, it can thrive pretty much anywhere.”
From the files of Team Principle, Mr. John M. Potter, comes this quick photograph, showing exactly how interested Porsche is in the GT America being a success. So interested, in fact, that they sent several engineers and data specialists to help Magnus determine their best setup for the new Porsche. As you can see, the GT3 America has already been refitted with the required Continental tires. A new car on new rubber at a new track, this should be a daunting proposition, requiring several metric tons of data acquisition.
With the 997 GT3 Cup, there were four separate specifications just for use in the North American market (Grand Am GT, ALMS GTC, SCCA World Challenge, and IMSA GT3 Cup), but for the 991 model, things should be much simplified, with all series homologating the “GT America” with the primary differences being only in the tires used (Continental tires for United Sports Car, Pirelli tires for World Challenge, and Yokohama tires for GT3 Cup.) This is the first time the GT America has hit the track in North America, and launches the 991 privateer racing program here in the States.
Other Porsche Blog Posts You Will Enjoy
Magnus Racing Takes Delivery of First Porsche 991 GT America
Patrick Dempsey Expands And Formalizes Relationship With Porsche
Porsche’s Results and Pictures At Lime Rock Park In The Final GRAND-AM Race Ever
All photos provided by Magnus Racing.
View Comments (1)
do I see the third pedal with The new paddle shift gear box?