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Posted on June 30, 2014

Michelin Returns to Watkins Glen in Style

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WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (June 29, 2014) – Michelin made a highly successful return to Watkins Glen International today as Michelin technical partner teams from Corvette Racing, Dodge Viper SRT, Porsche North America, BMW Team RLL and Risi Competizione Ferrari combined to take the top eight places in the fiercely competitive GTLM class in the Sahlen’s 6 Hours of the Glen, a major event on the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship schedule.

A hot, steamy day with temperatures approaching 90 degrees and track temperatures of 115 degrees, made for a slick track surface, which combined with the deep 53 car field and tight competition had drivers intensely focused for the entire six-hour race on the fast 3.4 mile, 11 turn circuit that features two sets of 140 foot elevation changes each lap.

Taking the GTLM victory, its third consecutive TUDOR Championship win, was the new #3 Corvette Racing C7.R driven by Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia, who led much of the race and then held off the challenge of the #93 Dodge Viper of Marc Goossens and Dominik Farnbacher on a final restart with one lap remaining. They were followed by their respective teammates; Dodge Viper’s Jonathan Bomarito and Kuno Wittmer in third and Corvette Racing’s Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner in fourth.

Michelin Comment

“To return to Watkins Glen for the first time in 15 years and see all of our technical partners run so well in difficult conditions is very satisfying for our teams and drivers and for our Michelin engineers, tire developers and staff,” said Ken Payne, motorsports technical director for Michelin North America. “Our five manufacturer partner teams all turned best laps within an incredibly tight 37 hundredths (0.37) of a second range. To be that close on times on a 105 second lap of a very technical course is amazing,” said Payne.

Michelin GTLM Technical Partner Best laps:

n.62 Risi Competizione Ferrari (Fisichella/Kaffer) 1:45.311

n.3 Corvette Racing   (Magnussen/Garcia)                             1:45.364

n.93 Dodge Viper SRT (Wittmer/ Bomarito)                          1:45.394

n.4 Corvette Racing   (Milner/Gavin)                                      1:45.410

n.55 BMW Team RLL (Priaulx/Auberlen)                             1:45.483

n.912 Porsche N.A. (Long/Christensen)                 1:45.526

n.56 BMW Team RLL (Mueller/Edwards)                             1:45.577

n.91 Dodge Viper SRT (Farnbacher/Goossens)                     1:45.587

n. 911 Porsche N.A. (Tandy/Lietz/Pilet)                 1:45.681

Adding to the Record Book

With 2014 success in the new TUDOR Championship GT Le Mans (GTLM) class at Daytona International Speedway in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and now at Watkins Glen International, Michelin adds to the record book that saw it take overall race wins at all 26 circuits in which the former American Le Mans Series competed.

The GTLM class is dominated by top factory linked teams from BMW, Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche, Ferrari and Dodge Viper, all of which have chosen Michelin their respective technical partner. It is the only TUDOR Championship class in which Michelin is currently eligible to compete.

Taking the overall race win was the Spirit of Daytona Corvette DP prototype of Richard Westbrook and Michael Valiante.

Next stop for the TUDOR Championship is the Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, July 13.

For more information, visit www.michelinmedia.com or contact:                                                                                      

John Love                                                                             Brian Remsberg

EMC Strategic Communications                                     Michelin North America

mobile: 1 313 506 2114                                                     office: 1 864 458 5908

office: 1 248 816 0106                                                      brian.remsberg@us.michelin.com

john@emcstrategic.com

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About Michelin North America

Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America, Inc. has approximately 23,500 employees and operates 36 production facilities in the United States (michelinman.com) and Canada (michelin.ca).