Get Back to Work Bryan Sellers!
<h2 align="right"> Long “Le Mans Break” Comes to a Close as ALMS Readies for Lime Rock Return</h2>
LAKEVILLE, Conn., July 3, 2012 - After a long 10-week American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón (ALMS) break, it is time for Bryan Sellers to get back to work! The truth is, the Braselton, Ga.-resident has been anything but idle since the most recent ALMS race - a six-hour affair held May 12 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca - and he has not been using the time running his HPI Racing R/C cars. The gap in the schedule to accommodate teams competing in the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans in June has left the driver of the No. 17 Team Falken Tire Porsche 911 GT3 RSR eagerly anticipating the American Le Mans Series Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park. The July 7 race will be the first-time Sellers has stepped foot in the car he has driven to two career ALMS GT class victories with co-driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) since two tests for Falken Tire early in “The Break.”
Lime Rock Park is a notable place to rev the ALMS season back to full song. The 1.474-mile, seven-turn circuit is the shortest on the Series’ season schedule but among its quickest lap times. In addition, it is also one of the busiest. A road course equivalent of a bullring-style short oval, Lime Rock Park requires constant focus by the driver to run quickly and race smartly. 31 other cars, 10 of which are GT class entries, will join the No. 17 Porsche on the tight confines of the Connecticut-track making for non-stop action. The first order of business on any race weekend is to bring the car home in one-piece. At Lime Rock, a team’s primary hope is to just be able to load it on the trailer knowing that the competition will likely lead to some level of damage. Sellers and Henzler finished fifth in the Northeast Grand Prix in 2011.
Sellers and Team Falken Tire have tested four days since the last race in Monterey, Calif. The team spent two days each at Road Atlanta (late-May) and Mid-Ohio (mid-June). In addition to the tire testing he performs as a Falken Tire factory driver, Sellers has had one of the busiest three-months in his career away from the ALMS Porsche. Since the season “halftime” began, the former open-wheel racing champion has competed in four races in other series, tested for one of those series with Fall-Line Motorsports and had several coaching engagements. Sellers did have a “Le Mans Break” of his own, however. He spent the rare off weekend watching the television broadcast of the 24 Hours of Le Mans – an event in which he competed in 2005.
ESPN2 will provide coverage of the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix starting at 4 p.m. (EDT) on July 7. Live flag-to-flag streaming of the event can be seen on ESPN3 beginning at 2:45 p.m. Multiple in-car cameras, available at www.ALMS.com , * will complement race coverage. Live coverage of qualifying in all classes can be found on ESPN3 opening with GTC class at 3:05 p.m. Friday, July 6. Live timing and scoring of all sessions, including qualifying and the race, is offered at *www.ALMS.com . Practice begins on Friday morning.
Quotes
Bryan Sellers:
On returning to ALMS competition: “It’s great to get going again in the ALMS! Everyone at Team Falken Tire has put in a lot of work during our break and I think we will be well prepared for the event. Lime Rock Park provides some of the best racing in the world and I am glad the break is over and we can get back to racing the Falken Tire Porsche.”
On Lime Rock Park: “Lime Rock is a great racetrack and a great event. It is always a difficult event. It’s constant chaos all around the track, every lap of the whole weekend. I enjoy racing there because it is so challenging. You always have to be a step ahead or you’re way behind. I love the fans at Lime Rock. The crowd at the event makes it one of the best races on our schedule. They line the hillsides and really make it something special to race there.”
On his expectations for the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix: “I think it will be a good track for us. The Porsche tends to strive on shorter tracks where braking and traction are put at a premium and Lime Rock is that sort of track. We had a very good event there last year and we were in line for a podium. I believe we are better prepared with Team Falken Tire this year. I am very hopeful.”
On rewards of tire testing during ‘The Break’: “ We were able to test a couple of times during the break for Le Mans and I believe we will see instant returns from those tests. Falken has done a great job of getting us a couple new types of tires and I think it is something that we will continue to build on through the season as well.”
On the importance of Lime Rock in context of the whole ALMS season: “Momentum is everything. It will be very important to start off right with this event. Lime Rock sets up the second part of the season and really seems to set the tone for the remainder of the year. With all the time off everything should be prepared well and ready to race.”
For more on Bryan Sellers, please visit him on the web at "> www.BryanSellersRacing.com . Follow Bryan on Twitter ("> www.Twitter.com/BryanSellers ) and LIKE him on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BryanSellersRacing .
Visit www.FalkenTire.com for more on Team Falken Tire. Learn more about the American Le Mans Series at www.ALMS.com .
Go R/C racing with Bryan at www.HPIRACING.com.
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