Buoyed by their third top-five result of the 2012 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón season No. 48 Dunlop/Chopard/TOTAL Porsche 911 GT3 RSR co-drivers Bryce Miller and Sascha Maassen return to the site of their best run from the 2011 season for Saturday’s Baltimore Sports Car Challenge.
The Paul Miller Racing teammates earned a fourth-place result in the inaugural ALMS event on the streets of Baltimore last season. With a new-for-2012 Porsche, Dunlop tires and a penchant for success on street circuits, the team is looking for another solid run in the two-hour sprint race around the 12-turn, two-mile street circuit.
“I’m excited for Baltimore, because I think the Porsche does pretty well on these slow, tight corners, so that’s a good situation for us,” said Bryce Miller. “Also, we have another front tire to try, which might be pretty accommodating for us with the Porsche. The front tire is really important for our car with the engine hanging off the rear, so this might bring something again. The momentum is moving in the right direction, so it’s hard not to be excited. Hopefully we can make another step or two.”
Maassen holds the distinction of being one of the most decorated racers in the American Le Mans Series. His prowess on street circuits is particularly impressive with 11 top-three results, six class victories (St. Petersburg – 2007; Trois-Rivieres and Miami – 2003; Trois-Rivieres, Washington D.C. and Miami – 2002) and two street circuit class poles (Trois-Rivieres – 2003 and Washington D.C. – 2002). Obviously, he is also optimistic about returning to the streets of Baltimore.
“Baltimore is something I’m looking very much forward to because we have already proven at Long Beach that a street circuit is something that suits our car and our tire,” said the German. “I am expecting that we will do very well there.”
The two-day event gets underway on Friday morning with the first of two hour-long practice sessions beginning at 10:50 a.m. ET. The second practice takes the green flag at 4:05 p.m. ET, followed by a 15-minute GT class qualifying session beginning at 5:27 p.m. ET.
Saturday’s race day schedule includes a 25-minute warm-up session starting at 10:20 a.m. ET and an autograph session at the team transporters in the ALMS paddock at 1:30 p.m. ET. The race takes the green flag at 4:30 p.m. ET with a two-hour time limit.
Live streaming of qualifying will be provided on ESPN3.com beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, and the live stream of the race – also on ESPN3.com – begins at 4:15 p.m. ET on Saturday. Network television coverage airs on ABC Sports at 12:00 Noon ET on Sunday, with an encore presentation airing on ESPN2 at 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 5.
PHOTO: The No. 48 Dunlop/Chopard/TOTAL Porsche in action at Road America. Credit: Bob Chapman/Autosport Image
Paul Miller Racing
Baltimore Sports Car Challenge
Driver History
Bryce Miller
2011 – 4th in GT
Best Result: 4th (ALMS GT – 2011)
Sascha Maassen
2011 – 4th in GT
Best Result: 4th (ALMS GT – 2011)
