Long Beach, Calif. The Porsche 911 GT3 R has won its class in the car's second try racing in the Pirelli World Challenge. Michael Mills (Angleton, Texas) raced the No. 41 EFFORT Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R to the GT Amateur (GT-A) class victory in today's 60-minute Roar by the Shore sports car race on the streets of Long Beach, Calif. Mills' teammate, Tim Bergmeister (Germany) finished eighth overall in the GT class driving the No. 31 EFFORT Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R.

While the Porsche 911 GT3 R has become a stalwart during endurance races at road courses around the world, the car had never raced in North America until the World Challenge season opening round in St. Petersburg, Fla. in March. This was Mills' first victory in the series' 'amateur' division that allows drivers who do not make racing their fulltime profession to compete for class wins. He finished tenth in the overall standings. Mills is currently ranked second in GT-A driver point standings after two rounds. Johnny O'Connell drove the No. 3 Cadillac CTS-V R to overall victory with his Cadillac teammate, Andy Pilgrim in second.

In the GTS class, for lower engine displacement cars, GTSport Racing's pair of Porsche Cayman S racecars finished 11th with Buz McCall (Boca Raton, Fla.) in the No. 72 and 35th for the No. 73 of Jack Baldwin (Marietta, Ga.). Baldwin's race ended with an accident on the opening lap.

The 911 GT3 R had never raced in North America before this year's Pirelli World Challenge regulations made the car legal for competition on this continent. Two teams currently campaign the car regularly, EFFORT Racing's two car program and Taggart Autosport's single car entry.

To view complete race results from today's event, click on the following link: http://www.world-challenge.com/index.php?Itemid=159&option=com_drivers&view=results

The next Pirelli World Challenge event will take place April 25-27 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala. Barber Motorsport Park is the home of the Porsche Sport Driving School.

Today's race will be televised on Sunday, April 20, at 5:30 PM Eastern on the NBC Sports Network.

Michael Mills: 'It's nice to get a win for Porsche, for EFFORT, for my family. We're really happy about doing this. I just won at Long Beach, what else can I say? I'm very happy to be with Porsche. I didn't start racing until I was 31 and I am a week from turning 41. I've won at Road Atlanta, Sebring and now I've won at Long Beach.'

Tim Bergmeister: 'I had a pretty good start. There was not much room to overtake but I was able to get one or two cars. In the end, the McLaren was just a little more lucky in the traffic. We improved but we are still not where we want to be.'

Jens Walther, president and CEO, Porsche Motorsport North America:'We are pleased that Michael Mills was able to deliver the Porsche 911 GT3 R's first North American victory in the GTA class here at Long Beach. EFFORT Racing did an excellent job with Tim improving several positions. Within the FIA homologated cars, it was very strong and close competition. We are looking forward to seeing the cars on a traditional race course at Barber Motorsports Park.'