The top step of the Road America podium is a familiar place for No. 48 Dunlop/Chopard/TOTAL Porsche GT3 co-drivers Bryce Miller and Sascha Maassen and both are looking for a return visit at the end of Saturday’s four-hour American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón Road Race Showcase.
Bryce Miller scored his first career ALMS victory at Road America with a GT2 victory in 2008, while his Paul Miller Racing teammate, Maassen, took a P2 victory in 2006. It will be Miller’s fifth ALMS start and Maassen’s eighth at the four-mile “National Park of Speed.”
“Road America is fast and fun,” Maassen said. “I am always looking forward to this event, and now that we found the performance in our Paul Miller Racing Porsche, I am looking forward to it even more. I expect us to be very close with the competition and being able to fight for positions!”
The team has fought for positions – and gained them – several times throughout the 2012 season, as evidenced by top five results at Sebring and Mosport, and competitive pace at many other events. They were in contention for another strong result two weeks ago at Mid-Ohio before a handling problem robbed them of another potential top five.
“I am anxious to get back in our car,” said Bryce Miller. “We have good momentum from these last couple races with having found more pace in our car and it’s making everyone hungry. I’m excited to see where it takes us.”
We all will see on Saturday afternoon at Road America. The weekend’s official on-track activities get underway Friday with a pair of practice sessions – one running from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m. local (Central) and the second from 2:25 to 3:25 p.m. (CT) – ahead of qualifying, which runs from 3:55 to 4:10 p.m. CT for the GT class.
Saturday’s race day schedule includes a warm-up session from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. CT, followed by an autograph session at the team transporter in the paddock from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. CT. The Road Race Showcase takes the green flag at 2:30 p.m. CT and the checkered flag four hours later.
ESPN3.com will offer live streaming of qualifying on Friday afternoon beginning at 4:40 p.m. ET and Saturday’s race beginning at 3:15 p.m. ET. The race will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 19.
Paul Miller Racing
Road America
Driver History
Bryce Miller
2011 – 7th in GT
2010 – 7th in GTC
2009 – 10th in GT2
2008 – 1st in GT2
Best Result: 1st (ALMS GT2 – 2008)
Total Road America Wins: 1
Sascha Maassen
2011 – 7th in GT
2008 – 4th in P2
2007 – 2nd in P2
2006 – 1st in P2
2004 – 7th in GT
2003 – 4th in GT
2002 – 2nd in GT
Total Road America Starts: 7
Best Result: 1st (ALMS P2, 2006)
Total Road America Wins: 1
PHOTO: The No. 48 Dunlop/Chopard/TOTAL Porsche in action at Mid-Ohio. Credit: Bob Chapman/Autosport Image
