Local Sports

BAR1 hits the track at Sebring

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Highlands Today
Published: December 14, 2012

Highlands Today

BAR1 Motorsports began their assault on the 2013 American Le Mans Series Prototype Challenge Championship this past week at Sebring International Raceway. The team put two cars through their paces, rotating several drivers and meeting with other potential candidates to join the team's second year effort.

"This was a very productive two days," said team owner Brian Alder. "We got a lot accomplished and most important; we picked up a full second over last year's class pole time. I expect other teams will pick up time over the winter too, but we're encouraged with our progress."

Several potential driver candidates were on hand, including some familiar faces. Driver announcements and lineups will be made at the appropriate time.

"We're very focused on getting full-time drivers in both cars for 2013," Alder said. "We feel having solid pairs in both cars, along with strong alternates for the longer events, will free up crews and mechanics to spend less time adjusting for different drivers and put emphasis on our proven reliability.

"The drivers we are talking to are all top tier candidates. I'm hopeful we'll be able to announce our full line-up sometime after the first of the year and have everyone in place when we're back here for the annual Winter Test."

BAR1 Motorsports is in its second year of full competition in the American Le Mans Series. The team is located in Marysville, Ohio. Team owner, Brian Alder, has been an active and winning crew chief in the American Le Mans Series since its inception.

BAR1 owns and operates Merchant Services Racing, which placed third in the LMPC standings this past season.

Paul Miller Racing moves to Michelin

Paul Miller Racing and lead driver Bryce Miller have entered into a technical partnership with Michelin for the No. 48 Chopard/TOTAL Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. The team used Dunlop tires for the 2012 season, but Dunlop is leaving the ALMS to concentrate its efforts in Europe.

"We've worked extremely hard over the past two seasons with tire development programs in the ALMS GT class and have earned, in some cases, some decent results," said team owner Paul Miller. "Now, for 2013, our new technical partnership with Michelin is one of the most significant developments in the short history of Paul Miller Racing.

"Michelin has outstanding experience with Porsche in ALMS, and we expect our team's capability to be more accurately reflected in much improved results which is very exciting for everyone involved with our team. We believe our team will be positioned to compete for victories and consistent respectable finishes in the coming season."

Michelin won the 2012 ALMS GT Tire championship with seven class victories from the 10-race season. It was Michelin's 13th consecutive ALMS GT Tire title. Michelin has more than 100 victories in ALMS competition and owns 15 consecutive overall victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"We are pleased to welcome Paul Miller Racing aboard as a new Michelin technical partner team," said Silvia Mammone, motorsports manager, Michelin North America. "Having the No. 48 Chopard/TOTAL Porsche 911 GT3 RSR compete on MICHELIN tires continues our long relationship with Porsche as the series and sports car racing approaches a new era."

Bryce Miller co-drove the No. 48 Porsche to three top-five results alongside Sascha Maassen en route to sixth in the final 2012 ALMS GT team standings. Miller's co-driver for 2013 will be confirmed at a later date.

"I am excited to go racing this coming season," said Bryce Miller. "Our team has worked hard for this opportunity and I am eager to see what can materialize for us."

The Paul Miller Racing team, which is based in Georgia, is already hard at work transitioning the No. 48 Porsche to its new MICHELIN tires and expects to hit the testing trail shortly.

The first official 2013 ALMS activities will take place with the annual Winter Test at Sebring International Raceway in early February.