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Baltimores Inner Harbor Is One Of Bryan Sellers Favorite Ports

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&car; Falken Tire Factory Driver Returns to Site of Second ALMS Victory

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&car; BALTIMORE, August 27, 2012 – Sailors have their favorite ports to drop anchor. Racecar drivers do as well. It is unusual for a race circuit less than a year old to endear itself so quickly to the drivers and teams which compete on it. That is especially true for a temporary track laid out on city streets. However, ask Bryan Sellers to list his favorite tracks and it is no surprise that the Baltimore Inner Harbor street course is on his short list. In 2011, the Braselton, Ga.-resident drove the No. 17 Team Falken Tire Porsche 911 GT3 RSR to his second career American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón (ALMS) victory. Sellers and co-driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) return to the Baltimore Sports Car Challenge presented by SRT to defend their win on September 1. The race will be a two-hour sprint format. &car;

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&car; Baltimore stands out to Sellers even more than his first ALMS race victory – taken at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course also in 2011– because it was the first time he saw the checkered flag fall over the Falken car from behind the wheel. The former open-wheel racing champion had taken over driving chores from Henzler at the race’s midpoint. He fought his way through the traffic on a course that many – especially in the event’s support series races – said was impossible to pass on. Not only did he move the car into the lead as a result of multiple passes accomplished in masterful style, he then pulled away from the factory-supported Chevrolet, BMW and Porsche teams. He would cross the start-finish line in one of the widest margins of victories the ultra-competitive GT class saw all season. &car;

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&car; While Sellers mastered the 2.02-mile, 12-turn race circuit last year, track officials felt that other events scheduled for the weekend did suffer. In an effort to encourage additional passing, the track has been altered from last year’s design. The racecourse remains in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor utilizing the streets around the Convention Center and Camden Yards. However, areas determined to have minimized passing opportunities have been changed. Alterations include the removal of the chicane on the main straightaway – Pratt Street – as well as the widening of Turn One. The area near the pit entrance – Turns Five and Six – has also been changed. &car;

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&car; The Baltimore Sports Car Challenge will air on ABC, Sunday, September 2 at Noon (EDT). Live flag-to-flag streaming of the race can be seen on ESPN3, September 1 beginning at 4:15 p.m. Multiple in-car cameras, available at www.ALMS.com , ** will complement the live race stream. Live coverage of qualifying in all classes can be found on ESPN3 opening with GTC class at 5 p.m. Friday, August 31. A special encore presentation of the race will air on ESPN2, Wednesday, September 5 at 4 a.m. (EDT). &car;

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&car; Official practice begins on Friday morning. Live timing and scoring of all sessions, including qualifying and the race, is offered at www.ALMS.com . &car;

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&car; Bryan Sellers: &car;

&car; On returning to the track of his second ALMS victory: “I am really excited to return to Baltimore! Last year we had great success with the Team Falken Tire Porsche and hopefully this year is the same. There is always something about returning to a track where you have had success; it makes the trip there a little bit easier. We were able to win the inaugural race last year and that will always hold a special place in my heart.”&car;

&car; On his most vivid memory of the Baltimore victory: “My first memory of Baltimore that always comes to mind was the podium celebration. There were so many people watching and celebrating with us! The streets were lined as far as your eyes could see. I remember it so vividly; the fans were yelling and the confetti flying. It was fantastic!”&car;

&car; On why the Baltimore race is unique: “Fans make an event special. Last year, because of the fans, it was one of the greatest events that ALMS has ever seen. I think that makes the race unique and special all at the same time. The whole city changed its tone from the beginning of the weekend till the end. You were able to see the city transform into race fans and that was amazing.”&car;

&car; On the unique challenges presented by a street course: “The biggest challenge will be time. If we roll the Team Falken Tire Porsche off the truck and start well it will be a good weekend. However, due to the lack of track time, if we roll off the truck poorly it will be all hands on deck to try and make it better as quickly as possible. We just don’t have that many sessions or that much time to make changes.&car;

&car; On the Grand Prix of Baltimore: “Street courses are always strong for Porsche. 911s brake well and put the power down especially well which really lends itself to street course racing. As a team, we have always been strong on street courses and last year we had our best Falken tire at Baltimore. I am hoping it is the same way this year.”&car;

&car; On the changes to the racecourse: “The changes to the track will help passing. It will be good from a race perspective. For us, I don’t think it will change how we approach the setup for the Team Falken Tire Porsche. We should have a great baseline from our race-winning setup from last year.”&car;

&car; For more on Bryan Sellers, please visit him on the web at "> www.BryanSellersRacing.com . Follow Bryan on Twitter ("> www.Twitter.com/BryanSellers ) and LIKE him on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BryanSellersRacing . Tune-in to Bryan’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/BryanSellersRacing . &car;

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&car; Visit www.FalkenTire.com for more on Team Falken Tire. Learn more about the American Le Mans Series at www.ALMS.com . &car;

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&car; Go R/C racing with Bryan at www.HPIRACING.com .&car;

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