Team Falken takes the victory in the streets of Baltimore in ALMS

BALTIMORE, MD – Proving that Team Falken is a competitor to contend with, number 17 takes the victory in the streets of Baltimore in ALMS GT! Its second win in three races.

The win elevated the drivers into fourth place in the American Le Mans Series GT standings.  Henzler was fastest in the first practice on Friday, and third in the second practice, though he qualified fifth on the 2.1 mile street circuit with a surface made up of half concrete and half asphalt.  Determined to quickly improve his qualifying position, Henzler drove as hard as he could.  Driver skill at turn one of the very first lap put him third in the class and Henzler was able to advance to first toward the end of his stint. 

Sellers received the car in third position after an unfavorable yellow, and maintained a stellar, incident-free run, with steady consistent lap times that advanced him to first where he stayed, opening up a significant gap on the field. 

“We had a great setup for the race, and our Falken tires were very consistent for my whole stint,” Henzler stated.  “This course was great fun, and we proved that Falken can win in the dry as well as the wet [four weeks ago at Mid-Ohio].”

“Wolf did an incredible job for the first stint, and I drove one of my best sessions ever – motivated by the great effort this team has put in all year,” Sellers declared.  “The team deserved this win, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”

“The little tire that could, the team that did,” was Team Manager Walker’s most salient comment. 

“What an event!” he added.  “The City of Baltimore was such a great host to the race, especially after Hurricane Irene delayed the final construction of the track.  The venue was packed and the fans were so friendly and really enjoying themselves.  It was great to have our first dry condition race win at the first ever Baltimore Grand Prix.”

“Wolf and Bryan really drove the wheels off that Porsche and Falken's Azenis Slick street circuit tire really came into its own today,” noted Kevin Jones, Falken’s ALMS Race Supervisor.  “We look forward to the final two races of the season, especially since they are longer endurance races where we feel our consistent lap times can really help us finish the season strong.”

“Falken's second win of the season makes all of us who work for and represent the tire manufacturer very proud,” said Nick Fousekis, Falken’s Director of Motorsports Marketing and Events.  “We knew it would take time to gain our place, but the team is dialed in right now.  We expected to do well at Baltimore because Team Falken has had strong performances at street circuits and it was particularly rewarding to win at a brand new track located at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor; it was just a great setting.”

Now it’s on to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA, for a six-hour event,

Sept. 15-16, and the season finale, the 14th annual 1,000-mile/10-hour endurance classic Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, September 28-October 1.