FOAMETIX® / Burtin Racing with Goldcrest Motorsports Completes Successful test in Daytona 09.01.2012: Roar Before the Rolex 24 At Daytona Test with Top-Eight Time No. 17 FOAMETIX/Burtin Racing Porsche GT3 among class leaders throughout the three-day test

Roar Before the Rolex 24 At Daytona Test with Top-Eight Time




No. 17 FOAMETIX/Burtin Racing Porsche GT3 among class leaders throughout the three-day test


The No. 17 FOAMETIX®/Burtin Racing with Goldcrest Motorsports Porsche GT3 demonstrated strong staying power during this weekend’s Roar Before the Rolex 24 Test Days at Daytona and finished up in the top-eight of the 45 GT class competitors.  Always near the top of the charts, the No. 17 team ended the three-day test session early and confidently awaits its return to Florida for the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 26 - 29.


 The No. 17 green and yellow machine, piloted by team owner/driver Claudio Burtin, Martin Ragginger Jr., Jack Baldwin, Bryan Sellers and Sebastian Asch, posted the team’s best efforts of the weekend with a 1:49.623 lap (116.910 mph) during the opening session on Friday morning.


“We’re picture perfect so far, that’s why we’ve decided to wrap up early today,” Burtin said. “We didn’t run the final test session because we think we’re prepared for the race at this point. We’re really looking forward to the race in a few weeks.”


Bryan Sellers clicked off laps in the Porsche all three days and reiterates Burtin’s comments about being ready for Rolex 24 At Daytona at the end of January.


“The three day test has been very good,” Sellers said. “The car rolled off the trailer very strong. We were able to run through our test plan and accomplish a lot of things.  You have to leave the test days with a strong car and then fine tune it once you get back for the race because the conditions will be different.  Right now, we’re in a pretty decent place.  We have a very solid baseline car.  We’ll be back in a few weeks for the race and make a few more adjustments and hopefully make it go a little bit faster come race time.  All in all, it was a very positive test for us.” 


Sellers recognizes the talent of his co-drivers and notes the value in the expertise of the FOAMETIX team.


“The team has done a great job,” Sellers said.  “I’ve known Martin quite a long time, so it’s great to share a car with him.  Claudio has done a great job all weekend.  The laps Claudio did were the quickest laps he has ever done around Daytona.  That compiled with Jack’s experience and Sebastian’s feedback, we look pretty strong.”


Racing legend and former Rolex 24 class winner Baldwin will compete for the 23rd time in the Rolex 24 At Daytona later this month.


“This is the best Porsche Rolex Cup car I’ve ever driven,” Baldwin said. “It’s fast, it handles well, brakes well, and it does everything a good race car should do.  Goldcrest Motorsports has done a fantastic job from the prep work to setup and the execution here at the test. From every angle, these guys are the best in the business.”


Baldwin has high praise for his co-drivers as well.  One of the key elements to a strong Rolex 24 performance is the ability for the team to work as one unit and operate efficiently.


“One of the best things we did this weekend was work and grow as a team,” Baldwin said.  “Everyone is working extremely well together and is extremely positive. Everybody is doing their job well and exceeding their expectations. I’m thrilled to be here. I think we’re going to be a contender and I hope luck is shining on us.  We are growing together as a team and that’s a big element.”


The No. 17 FOAMETIX/Burtin Racing Porsche GT3 team returns to Florida for the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 26 – 29.


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SaalGood - Adam Saal  Photo: Brian Cleary