Sebring 12 Hours LMP1 Preview

It's pretty clear that both Audi and Peugeot came to play for this race, bringing two factory cars each while ORECA, famous for the Le Mans-winning Viper in the late 90's, brings a grandfathered 908 that still has the capability to win it all despite being modified to fit the new ACO regulations. There are a lot of entires than usual in this class because it is the first race of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, a global endurance racing series that lasts seven rounds. The ILMC will be back in America for Petit Le Mans, a six hour enduro at Road Atlanta in Georgia.

Do not be suprised if the #6 Muscle Milk Lola-Aston Martin also puts in a good showing. They were fastest in early testing, granted without the European contenders, but are favored to win the ALMS championship.

As for the rest of the field, Rebellion Racing looks pretty good in their ILMC Lola-Toyota but I don't know if it has the development to keep up for all twelve hours. Given the right situation, they can contend for a Top 5 and gain valuable points towards the ILMC Championship. The rest just have not shown enough speed to play a major factor in the race, unless a leader crashes into them or vice versa.

The #7 Peugeot 908 of Alexander Wurz, Marc Gene, and Anthony Davidson. Everyone loves a front-runner, and since they didn't lose in the U.S. last year, it's not smart to bet against them...unless you're an Audi fan. Don't get me wrong, I like the Audi Sport Team Joest entries, I always root for them at Le Mans, but right now I am more interested in (and they probably are as well) the development of the new Audi R18 that will race at Le Mans. For them, I feel this is more just getting seat time in with the new regulations to see how the engine-gearbox response and durability is.

Audi Sport Team Joest
#1 Audi R15 plus plus
#2 Audi R15 plus plus

Team Peugeot Total
#7 Peugeot 908
#8 Peugeot 908

Team ORECA Matmut
#10 Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP (Grandfathered 908)

OAK Racing
#15 Oak-Pescarolo-Judd
#24 Oak-Pescarolo-Judd

Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing
#06 Lola-Aston Martin

Highcroft Racing
#01 HPD ARX-01e (normally a contender but lack of testing hurts them)

Dyson Racing
#016 Lola B08/86 Mazda

Rebellion Racing
#12 Lola B10/60 Toyota (newer generation Lola chassis)

This is the complete history of the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race, held on the former World War II airfield turned race circuit. It is identifiable and unique by the incedibly bumpy runway section that is torture to race car suspensions. They say that this is the granddaddy of American sports car races...I can believe that.

Next time you're in Florida, why not take a detour from Disney World or a cruise and visit this track? I think you'll get goosebumps knowing that some of the best drivers in the world race there every year.