MONTEREY, Calif. (May 11, 2013) – Bryce Miller, Marco Holzer and the Paul Miller Racing No. 48 Chopard/TOTAL Porsche 911 GT3 RSR ran their most competitive race of the season Saturday in the four-hour American Le Mans Monterey where the team challenged for a top-three podium spot before posting its third consecutive sixth-place finish.
“The car was so good, the crew did such a good job once again with their preparation, and hats off to them for putting together such a strong car,” said Bryce Miller, who moved the No. 48 into the top five during his opening stint. “We really found the sweet spot here today. I think everybody knows we had a car that was podium worthy and maybe even one that could have fought for the win.”
Starting driver Holzer was back at the wheel for his final stint when the No. 48 Chopard/TOTAL team was running a race-high third and battling for second 90 minutes from the finish. Holzer pitted in third, part of a tight pack of cars that included all of the GT leaders, a little over an hour from the finish.
“For sure, the car in the race with the setup improved a lot compared to the days before,” said Holzer, who had to deal with a cut tire in the race’s final hour. “We found a lot but I don’t know if I should be happy or a little bit disappointed because in the end we know we had a car for the podium for sure, 100%, and maybe to fight for first or second place. The team did a good job with the pit stops, we got good positions in the pit, and I am happy to know that we have a car that we can drive to the podium.”
While the string of sixth-place finishes have given the team a solid points foundation three races into the 2013 season, the Paul Miller Racing Chopard/TOTAL team knows they have a better team and car than the race results have shown this year.
“On one hand it is a little disheartening but on the other it is really encouraging because it shows how far the team has come and how I think we are really closing in on our target,” Bryce Miller said. “That is really exciting momentum to carry with us to the next races at this early stage in the season.”
Next up for the Paul Miller Racing No. 48 Chopard/TOTAL Porsche 911 GT3 RSR team is the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix, July 5 – 6 at Lime Rock Park.
“I am really looking forward to Lime Rock,” Holzer said. “Last year in qualifying I was P2 and the Porsche is really good there with the rear engine. It helps with the grip and I really like the track.”
Noteworthy
– Paul Miller Racing stepped up to support the San Francisco Region of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) at the American Le Mans Monterey. One of the premier regions in the country, SCCA San Francisco staffs all of the professional races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and had approximately 125 volunteers working various posts around the course and inside the paddock this past weekend. The team donated a good supply of official Paul Miller Racing collectible hats to the Region that were among the items raffled off to the workers at their Friday night mixer.
“The local SCCA corner workers are a big part of what we do at every race but we go through most events never really getting a chance to thank them for their efforts,” Bryce Miller said. “It was nice being able to support them a little bit as we know they are always there for us when we need them.”
About Paul Miller Racing: Paul Miller Racing is among the top GT teams competing in North American sports car road racing. In 2013, the team will contest the full American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón with lead driver Bryce Miller and season-long teammate Marco Holzer. The team enjoys a long-standing relationship with Porsche and competes with the support of Chopard, TOTAL Lubricants, Search Marketing Group, Motegi Racing and competes exclusively on Michelin tires.
Follow the team on Twitter @paulmilleracing @bryceracer @marcoholzer and become a Facebook fan atFacebook.com/paulmillerracing and Facebook.com/brycemiller.net. Learn more about the team at www.paulmillerracing.com.
