Muscle Mile team to run GT3 program in ALMS
The news comes hot on the heels of the team's announcement last week that is was to become an Aston Martin Racing Official LMP1 Team Partner for the 2011 ALMS season.
The expansion of Pickett Racing comes as part of the team's plans to keep growing and building a successful racing enterprise all while staying committed to the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), which oversees both the GT3 Cup Challenge and the ALMS, as well as keeping alive a partnership with Porsche Motorsport.
"While we were looking at expanding our racing program for the upcoming season, it was also important for us to continue our relationship with Porsche because they have been such a great partner these last two seasons," explained team owner Greg Pickett. "Adding this program in the GT3 Cup Challenge is the perfect opportunity for us to do that. I've done customer work in the past in Trans-Am and it was something I was looking forward to doing again.
"We are really pleased to welcome Mark into the Muscle Milk family as he takes on the next chapter of his racing career. He is an up-and-coming driver who will not only benefit from the presence of Klaus (Graf), who will coach him throughout the season, but also from everyone on the team. We're anxious for the season to get underway."
Bullitt will be making his debut in the GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama Platinum Cup aboard a 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car after having recently competed in GT3 races in Europe as well as historic races both in the United States and overseas, where he met and raced with Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing driver and fellow German Klaus Graf.
"Joining Muscle Milk Team CytoSport is a great opportunity for me," expressed the German who currently resides in Miami. "Being able to work with a world class team of mechanics, engineers, drivers and an extremely professional group of people is more than I can ask for. I already know that it will be a great experience.
"I'm looking forward to representing the team and the Muscle Milk brand throughout the season. I can't wait to get behind the wheel of the Porsche GT3 Cup car and start off the season."
The Black Forest native will get his first taste of the GT3 Cup Challenge at the Sebring Winter Test, which takes place February 7-8 at Sebring International Raceway.
The GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama is a highly competitive sports car racing series sanctioned by IMSA, which features two classes of cars – Platinum and Gold – racing at the same time.
The Platinum Cup is comprised of 2011 and 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars while the Gold Cup is made up of Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars from 2005 through 2009.
In 2011, the series will be racing at six different venues across North America, with two 45-minute races per weekend. The season kicks off at Sebring International Raceway March 17 and 18.