Magnus Racing has confirmed plans to return for the season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, their third appearance of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.
Owner/driver John Potter and fellow Magnus mainstay Spencer Pumpelly will be joined in the #44 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO by another experienced veteran, Jan Heylen. It’ll be the Belgian’s first race with Magnus Racing, and first time in an Aston Martin.
A GTD class winner at the Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours, Heylen currently leads the Michelin Pilot Challenge Grand Sport (GS) championship standings with two races left, in pursuit of his second series title.
Magnus’ previous two races this season have ended prematurely: At Daytona, the #44 Aston Martin suffered a catastrophic engine failure during Andy Lally’s last IMSA start. They returned at Watkins Glen with the provocative Virtual Energy livery, but accident damage during the race forced another early retirement.
“It’s great to return to competition during our limited season,” said Potter. “Petit Le Mans is something well engrained in the roots of our team, going back to our origins, and we’re excited to push for another result. Adding Jan Heylen to the team should be a great addition, he’s someone we’ve competed against for many years and it will be nice to finally have him under our tent.”
“I’m really looking forward to joining everyone at Magnus Racing and Aston Martin,” stated Heylen. “I’ve raced against the team for many years, so it will be nice to finally join the group and help them achieve the ultimate goal at Petit. The Aston Martin is a very different car from what I’ve been competing with over the last several years, but it’s always been a strong car and one I look forward to getting more time with.”
A complete entry list for the 28th annual Motul Petit Le Mans will be published in the coming weeks.
Feature image courtesy of Magnus Racing
