Team CytoSport Muscle Milk squad returns for full-season LMP2 effort

Greg Pickett/Klaus Graf behind wheel of Porsche RS Spyder from Sebring onward

The Team CytoSport Muscle Milk squad is set to return to the American Le Mans Series in 2010 – this time for a full season championship assault. The No. 6 Muscle Milk Porsche RS Spyder will contest the new combined LMP class with owner/driver Greg Pickett and German star Klaus Graf behind the wheel.
 
Team CytoSport is moving up to a full season of competition following a very successful partial season in 2009. The Benicia, Calif.,-based team claimed four consecutive LMP2 podium finishes in its four races in 2009. After competing in the LMP2 class last season, the Muscle Milk team will be joining the new combined LMP class for the 2010 championship. The major endurance events at Sebring and Petit Le Mans will continue to be run to the full ACO LMP1 and LMP2 rules.
 
“We’re really excited to be taking on our first full season of American Le Mans Series competition,” said team owner Pickett. “I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished with our team so far and it’s very encouraging for us heading into 2010. We know that it will be a new challenge for us in the combined LMP class but it’s one we can’t wait to face.
 
“I look forward to having Klaus (Graf) drive for us again,” Pickett added. “He had such amazing performances last season. It’s an honor to have him on the team and as part of the CytoSport family.
 
“Obviously this wouldn’t be possible without the support from the people at Porsche who were so great to work with last season as well as everyone at Michelin who have given us superb tires at every race. We’re thrilled to be working with them again this upcoming season.”
 
Having originally driven together in the American Le Mans Series in 2007, Pickett and Graf are eagerly awaiting the chance to contest the complete season. The German impressed many last year with his outstanding performances aboard the Porsche RS Spyder, notably by setting an LMP2 race lap record at Road Atlanta as well as making his way through the field and to an in-class podium finish at the historic Petit Le Mans.
 
“I’m really looking forward to the 2010 season to compete with the Porsche RS Spyder and Team Cytosport,” said Graf, a former Series winner in GT2 competition in a Porsche. “After our successful start in 2009 with four podium finishes in four races you would think this would be a natural progression to compete again in 2010. But I know that a program like ours requires a big commitment from all parties involved.
 
“I’d like to thank Greg Pickett and everyone involved at Team CytoSport and Muscle Milk who made this happen. To go into our first full season of competition with our Porsche RS Spyder is a tremendous achievement for our team and we look forward to that challenge. I can’t wait for our first race of the year, the famous 12 Hours of Sebring.

“Finally, coming from Germany it personally makes me proud to be involved in such a prestigious partnership with Porsche Motorsport. We built a great relationship with our partners Porsche and Michelin in 2009 and we hope we can transform that into great race results this season.”
 
Once again this season the Team CytoSport Muscle Milk squad will benefit from the support and expertise of the professionals at Porsche Motorsport.
 
“We are very excited that Team CytoSport will be back for a full season in 2010 in the Porsche RS Spyder LMP car,” said Paul Ritchie, president of Porsche Motorsport North America. “Last year, Greg Pickett and his crew surprised most of the LMP2 competitors with their success right out of the box, and Pickett and co-driver Klaus Graf were comfortable in the Porsche prototype from the first test. Porsche Motorsport is extremely happy to have such a great squad as Team CytoSport representing the Porsche brand in a Prototype next season.”
 
Prior to the start of the season, the Muscle Milk squad will be on track next week at Sebring to take part in the annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test scheduled for February 22-23. American Le Mans Series cars will be on track from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets are $10 per day with no public paddock access or overnight camping.

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