Sixth place result for Miller, Holzer and Miller Racing in Monterey

MONTEREY, Calif. – Bryce Miller, Marco Holzer and the Paul Miller Racing No. 48 Chopard/TOTAL Porsche 911 GT3 RSR ran their most competitive race of the season Saturday in the four-hour American Le Mans Monterey where the team challenged for a top-three podium spot before posting its third consecutive sixth-place finish.

#48 Paul Miller Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RSR: Bryce Miller, Marco Holzer

Photo by: James M. Holland

“We really found the sweet spot here today. I think everybody knows we had a car that was podium worthy and maybe even one that could have fought for the win.”

Starting driver Holzer was back at the wheel for his final stint when the No. 48 Chopard/TOTAL team was running a race-high third and battling for second 90 minutes from the finish.

Holzer pitted in third, part of a tight pack of cars that included all of the GT leaders, a little over an hour from the finish.

“For sure, the car in the race with the setup improved a lot compared to the days before,” said Holzer, who also had to deal with a cut tire later in the race’s final hour.

“We found a lot but I don’t know if I should be happy or a little bit disappointed because in the end we know we had a car for the podium for sure, 100%, and maybe to fight for first or second place.

The team did a good job with the pit stops, we got good positions in the pit, but then I was a little bit unlucky with a stop-and-go penalty for speeding in the pits.

The pit-speed limiter button was not in when I was leaving the pit stall, but I am happy to know that we have a car that we can drive to the podium.”

While the string of sixth-place finishes have given the team a solid points foundation three races into the 2013 season, the Paul Miller Racing Chopard/TOTAL team knows they have a better team and car than the race results have shown this year.

“On one hand it is a little disheartening but on the other it is really encouraging because it shows how far the team has come and how I think we are really closing in on our target,” Bryce Miller said. “That is really exciting momentum to carry with us to the next races at this early stage in the season.”

Next up for the Paul Miller Racing No. 48 Chopard/TOTAL Porsche 911 GT3 RSR team is the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix, July 5 – 6 at Lime Rock Park.

“I am really looking forward to Lime Rock,” Holzer said. “Last year in qualifying I was P2 and the Porsche is really good there with the rear engine. It helps with the grip and I really like the track.”

Miller Racing