Muscle Milk AMR: Birthday boys headed to Mosport

The last time the Muscle Milk squad went to Mosport International Raceway, it had its best overall weekend yet in the American Le Mans Series and the team is hoping for more of that Canadian luck as it returns to the historic track next weekend.

The Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing team would like nothing more than to add to its list of things to celebrate north of the border.

Already on the list of celebrations are the birthdays of drivers Klaus Graf (July 21) and Lucas Luhr (July 22) as well as the birthdays of two crew members (July 23 and 24).

After a disappointing race at Lime Rock Park last week, a Mosport International Raceway repeat victory is on the birthday wish list.

The 2.459-mile, 10-turn road course was the scene of a Muscle Milk domination last season. The team led every on-track session, started from pole and lapped all but one car in the field on its way to a second overall win that year.

While the team is aware that a repeat of its 2010 dominance is unlikely, it remains confident it can come back strong from its trying second place finish at Lime Rock with its Aston Martin better suited for a circuit like Mosport.

The Muscle Milk drivers also enjoy racing at Mosport, having known success at the track that is said to separate the men from the boys with both scoring wins the last time they were there.

Graf took the win last year aboard the Porsche RS Spyder and Luhr’s last visit to the Canadian track came in 2008, when he won with Audi on his way to his fourth ALMS Drivers’ Championship.

Graf and Luhr will have a one hour and 30 minute test session on Friday, July 22 before official practice begins on Saturday, July 23.

LMP1 qualifying for the Grand Prix of Mosport will go green at 4:25 p.m. ET on Saturday July 23 and will be streamed live on www.espn3.com starting at 3:30 p.m. ET with GT qualifying.

Round 4 of the American Le Mans Series’ 2011 season will also be streamed live on www.espn3.com starting at 2:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 24. The race will be broadcast on tape delay that same day on ESPN2 from 10:00 p.m. to midnight ET.


Klaus Graf, co-driver #6 Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing LMP1

“We’re heading to another track where the team and I both have good memories. We had quite a weekend there last year with Romain (Dumas).

“I think we have a very good chance again this year. It’s a track that should suit our Muscle Milk Aston Martin. Plus aerodynamically we’ve done some good testing and I think that we have a good package for that track.

“It’s always hard to know exactly what to expect when you’ve never been to a certain track with a race car but I’m confident the Aston Martin will perform the way we are expecting it to.

“I really like the track and it’s a fun, fast place to go to so I’m looking forward to it.”

Lucas Luhr, co-driver #6 Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing LMP1

“I’m looking forward to the race at Mosport. We need to come back strong after the weekend we had at Lime Rock Park where we didn’t make up any points in the championship and I know the Muscle Milk team is focused on exactly that. The Aston Martin should do well at that type of circuit as well so I think it should be a good weekend.

“I absolutely love the track at Mosport and the whole area, I think it’s one of the best tracks the Series goes to. It separates the men from the boys.”