AUDI CAPTURES FIRST AND SECOND AT 12 HOURS OF SEBRING
Cadillac, Panoz, BMW, Lola, Riley and Scott,,Reynard, Corvette, Dodge, Ferrari and a record number of Porsche 911 GT3-R1s were entered. All competed for winning spots in their respective classs. A total of forty-two cars were entered in the three classes; Prototype, GTS and GT, Twenty-six finished. There were a number of new cars here with a variety of problems. One team quit because of engine failure, another due to having to replace a gear box and a drive shaft. Throttle and gear box, brakes, unidentified engine failure, burning wiring harness , wiring and steering problems and rear shock absorbers. Randy Pobst of Alex Job Racing, did his usual great job of doing his favorite thing, which is to go fast. He quickly drove the Porsche 911 GT3-R into the class lead but unfortunately, shortly after the first driver change,to Bruno Lambert, # 23 was forced to retire due to engine problems. Team owner, Alex Job said "We are going to go back to our room at the new Chateau Elan and invite the team to come in, open a bottle of wine, watch the end of the race and cheer on the winners."
Sebring is always a key endurance test. Drivers say that it represents some of the most difficult racing in the world because of its concrete and asphalt surface, bumpiness, heat and humidity. Some drivers have said it seems like a much longer and harder race than the 24 hours of LeMans because of the variety of turns and high speed. Indeed, many teams compete at Sebring as the ultimate test for their cars and team members. One who does well at Sebring, usually does well the rest of the season baring extraordinary events. After the race, during the press conference several drivers who had never been at Sebring before were asked if Sebring had lived up to its reputation as a hard course. They all agreed that the difficulty surpassed their expectations.
Sebring Raceway has a new face. The pits and press facilities are shiny new and for the first time in history a four story hotel provided much needed room space for team members and fans. The renovation is estimated to have cost owner Don Panoz millions and thankfully he has done what he could to preserve the track so fans were not disappointed in what is billed as the toughest endurance race there is.
All-in-all the 48th Exxon Superflo
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