Audi USA has posted an incredible gallery of the R18 testing at Sebring. They used the opportunity of having the drivers and all the support crews present for the race to complete a full day of testing. We can expect racing debut of the Audi R18 during the Spa-Francorchamps 6 Hours on May 8.
It just seemed to be Peugeot’s day during the 59th running of the 12 hours of Sebring. Audi had plenty of bad luck, including multiple tire punctures, pit stop problems and even a hit from one of the Peugeots that pushed Dindo Capello off the track. Had they had a bit better luck, or if Peugeot were to have received a fair share of issues I am sure this race would have been much closer. However in the end, the Lions roared loudest and deserve to be proud of their victory. The #10 Peugeot 908 HDI FAP driven to the checkered flag by Nicolas Lapierre earned the top spot on the podium. The Petrol powered HPD ARX-01e from Highcroft Racing driven by Simon Pagenaud took 2nd and the #8 Peugeot driven by Pedro Lamy crossed the line in 3rd place. The best that Audi could do on this day was 4th place where the #2 Audi R15 TDI driven by Tom Kristensen put up some extremely fast time but couldn’t make up for the bad luck.
The Audi R15 TDI has left us with an amazing legacy, including multiple victories at Le Mans and Sebring including a podium sweep at the 2010 running of Le Mans. The Audi R18 is stepping into some pretty big shoes and we expect to see the R18 be competitive throughout the rest of this years ILMC season.
We would like to thank Audi for your hospitality here at Sebring, and to our photographer Johnny Petrina (on loan from APR) who brought us all the amazing photos that you have seen throughout the day. We hope that you have enjoyed our coverage and we look forward to providing you with the same level of up to the minute coverage in June when our team travels to Le Mans!
Expect more pictures to be posted tonight and tomorrow.
Just over two hours to go and sunset has fallen on Sebring. The #1 & #2 Audi’s are running strong but still behind the #10 & #8 Peugeot and the #01 Highcroft. The Audi’s are about 5 laps behind the leader and gaining. Tom Kristensen is currently putting up the fastest laps on the track.
It’s been an incredibly stressful race at this point mostly due to the rough surface of the Sebring track. Major parts of the track consist of concrete slabs and the gaps between them are rough on the cars. So far it’s only claimed five out of the 56 starting cars. With just over two hours to go the race is anyone’s game.
Here is a behind the scenes photo gallery for your enjoyment!
An unfortunate series of events has resulted in both Audi R15 TDIs running well back from the Peugeot 908s.
The #1 car piloted by Mike Rockenfeller suffered from two crippling tire punctures. Forced him early in the race int0 7th place.
The #7 Peugeot piloted by Marc Gene attempted to pass The #2 car piloted by Dindo Capello. Gene lost control of the car over the bumps under braking on the last turn and then over corrected and turned sharp left into the right rear wheel of Dindo. Both cars were forced to pit and Audi made the decision to replace the tire and send the car back onto the track. On the next lap the car was called back into the pits and sent behind the wall to the tent to have the rear suspension replaced. While the Peugeot was forced immediately behind the wall to undergo repairs.
Live Timing via ALMS (Sometimes slow to load)
Viewing guide for 12 hours of Sebring
We are nearly 3 hours into the 59th running of the 12th hours of Sebring and Audi and Peugeot are in the middle of an epic battle. Peugeot has the slight advantage but the #2 Audi R15, currently piloted by Tom Kristensen is laying in the shadows of the lead #8 Peugeot piloted by Stephane Sarrazin. The #2 car has led several laps as well as the cars cycle through their pit stops. If the Peugeot has an advantage, it isn’t by much. We expect this race to be one that will be decided in the last few laps of this race!
The #1 Audi R15 driven by Mike Rockenfeller had some bad luck and had not one, but two separate rear tire punctures! This caused the Le Mans winning R15 to lose several laps and even had to go behind the wall for repairs. We are hopeful that their luck will turn and they will be able to battle back up the leader board towards a podium finish.
Here is our first round of pictures from today! You’ll see a few from pre-race warm up and the rest are from the last few hours of live racing action! More to come soon so check back often!
Audi and Peugeot traded punches back and for during the 4 official practice sessions but it is Peugeot who will start tomorrow’s 12 hours of Sebring from Pole. Behind the wheel of the #8 Peugeot 908, Stephane Sarrazin put down a blistering lap time of 1:46.571 followed by Romain Dumas in the #1 Audi R15+ TDI with a 1:47.680. Marc Gene in the #7 Peugeot 908 was at 1:48.020 and Tom Kristensen in the #2 Audi R15+ TDI landed in the 4th spot.
This is going to be simply an amazing race! Audi showed at the 2010 running of Le Mans that pole is not necessary for victory, and we expect to see this a tough fight to the end for both teams! For info on how to tune into the race check our Viewing guide for the 12 hours of Sebring!
The 12 Hours of Sebring will be the first of ALMS race to test the new broadcast packages. The new broadcast package includes a first for ALMS racing — live internet streaming. However, due to some last minutes changes, www.americanlemans.com, will only be viewable outside the United States. (Yes, we hear your loud boos and we agree!)
In the United States you will have to use ESPN3 if you plan on watching the race live. ESPN3 which available through some cable companies across the US will be carrying the broadcast live. Coverage will also be available live on ESPN3.com and on the Xbox360 ESPN3 channel, which debuted in the latest Xbox update. Once you try to access it however, you are greeted with a screen asking you to enter an access code which is available to those with the correct cable provider. ESPN2 along with ABC will be airing a 90-minute tape-delayed summary starting at 12:30 PM EST on Sunday.
All nine ALMS races, plus qualifying sessions, will be broadcast live on ESPN3.com. ABC will broadcast Four of those races: Sebring, Road America, Baltimore and Petit Le Mans. ESPN2 will broadcast the other five: Long Beach, Lime Rock Park, Mosport, Mid-Ohio and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. With a rebroadcast following the next day on ESPN2.
And as usual, the entire team at QuattroWorld will be working diligently to bring you the most complete coverage possible so check our website often. In addition, follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the most up to date information.
We also highly recommend you listening to Radio Le Mans! No race would be complete without their in depth radio coverage. You can tune in for free by going to http://radiolemans.com/.
Key schedule notes:
Friday Qualifying – 3PM EST
Saturday Race – 10:30AM to 10:30PM EST
The night practice session at Sebring has completed and Peugeot has returned punches to take the top spot back from Audi. Anthony Davidson piloted the #7 Peugeot 908 around the Sebring course in a leading time of 1:48.901 followed by Tom Kristensen in the #2 Audi R15 TDI with a 1:49.370. Stephane Sarrazin in the # 8 Peugeot 908 was in 3rd position with a 1:50.344 and Timo Bernhad put the #1 Audi R15 TDI in 4th place with a 1:50.344.
It is not certain yet who is going to be on top at the end of tomorrow’s qualifying session, but one thing tat is clear is that we will see a very close battle for pole position! Here are some photos from today’s night session, we hope you enjoy them!
Tom Kristensen “Mr. Le Mans” has put the #2 Audi R15 TDI on top of the leaderboard after posting up the fastest time during the 2nd official practice session here at Sebring. Right on his tail is Romain Dumas in the #1 Audi R15 TDI. Their times are 1:50.424 and 1:50.538 respectively. The Peugeot 908s are running strong in spots 3-5 led by Alexander Wurz in the #8 car who posted a 1:51.691.
The next on track action is the official night practice session which starts promptly at 7:50 PM EST. We are on site at the track and will bring you more updates and photos throughout the weekend!
Live Timing and Scoring: http://scoring.americanlemans.com/scoring.php
The field at the 12 hours of Sebring has nearly doubled that from last year, and there are 56 different cars entered for the race. It would be impossible to keep track of these cars if it were not for the amazing work done by Andy Blackmore Designs. Anyone who has ever watch an ALMS, Le Mans, Sebring or Daytona race knows all about this man. He is incredibly talented and raceday would not be the same without the awesome work that he does! So here a big thank you to Andy! Check out his site and download the complete spotters guide by clicking the link below.
Download Spotters Guide here: http://spotterguides.com/alms-2011-guide
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpotterGuides
