| July 17, 2019 Staff Report IMSA Wire Service LAKEVILLE, Connecticut – With Saturday marking the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, Magnus Racing will pay tribute to the historic event with a one-time, specialized livery and car number during the upcoming IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship’s Northeast Grand Prix, taking place on the same day. With drivers John Potter and Andy Lally taking to the wheel of their usual Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO, this weekend’s event will see the team shed their usual colors and No. 44 for a livery adapted to mimic the Saturn V rocket, as well as carrying car No. 11 with a black panel to commemorate the mission. “We wanted to do something special to mark the occasion, and we felt this was the best way we could honor the event,” stated Magnus Racing team owner and co-driver John Potter. “Space exploration and the historical significance behind it has always been something I’ve held a long admiration for, so this is a very personal project to me. Obviously the Apollo 11 mission is an amazing tribute to human ingenuity and creativity, and that’s something that translates extremely well to our sport. I’m glad we could pay tribute, and of course I appreciate everyone on the team, as well as IMSA for some of the accommodations they’ve made to change our number and color panel, for making this a reality. Hopefully we can pay the ultimate honor by bringing home a win.” With the Saturn V rocket acting as the propulsion mechanism to send astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins towards their lunar destination, Magnus Racing will adapt the same color patterns and markings to their GTD category machine. With much of the world paying similar tributes in different ways, Magnus Racing wanted to continue the legacy to the world of sportscar racing. In addition to the car livery, IMSA has granted a special one-time permission to change to car No. 11 as well as use a black number panel to match the markings of the rocket. Known as one of the more fan-engaged teams, the livery and car number will highlight a series of initiatives by the team throughout the weekend, including free astronaut food for children in attendance, specialty autograph cards, tribute costumes and beyond. For Andy Lally, a similar enthusiasm is shared. “We’re excited to pay tribute in our own way,” stated Lally. “The camaraderie and team mentality required through the entirety of the Gemini and Apollo programs was unlike any in history, and that’s an ethos that any successful race team has to embrace. The heroism from the astronauts themselves is incredible, but at the same time the effort and attitude from everyone on the project deserves incredible praise. We hope to represent well at Lime Rock.” Official practice begins this Friday, June 19, with the race taking place on Saturday, July 20, the same day as the anniversary of the moon landing. Coverage can be found live via the NBC Sports App orNBCSports.com beginning at 3PM ET, or find same-day coverage on NBCSN at 9:30PM. International viewers can always find it live via IMSA.tv. |
