VIDEO: Magnus Racing’s GT Championship Heartbreak

Magnus Racing’s quest for the Rolex Sports Car Series GT championship was wiped away less than five minutes into Saturday’s GRAND-AM finale at Lime Rock Park when the No. 44 Porsche of John Potter was taken out in a multi-car pileup.

Potter was hit by the No. 66 TRG Aston Martin of Richie Stanaway, who veered back on course in the path of the Porsche, which subsequently spun and put the points leader in a direct contact with a GX and GT car.

Heavy damage was sustained to all three cars, although the Porsche took the brunt of the hit. Stanaway, meanwhile, was penalized for unsafe re-entry on the track.

“When the No. 66 went off track, I couldn’t believe that he came right back into our car,” Potter said. “It was beyond frustrating and disappointing, and I’m speechless that we lost our shot at the championship over an avoidable mistake by a one-off entry.

“However, earning second place on the blood, sweat, and tears that went into rebuilding the car was a true demonstration of everyone’s commitment to the team.”

Following a miraculous rebuild, the Magnus crew got Potter and co-driver Andy Lally back out to score points, which was enough to salvage a second place finish in the GT championship. The class title ultimately went to Scuderia Corsa and driver Alessandro Balzan, which entered the weekend with a four-point deficit over the Magnus crew.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John