Sebring 12 Hours, 2006

So it’s happened at last: A diesel powered car has won a major International race and must now be favorite to win the Le Mans 24 Hours after this auspicious debut.

The Audi R10 TDi, with a twin turbocharged V12 engine, revving between just 3-5,000 rpm and driven by Tom Kristensen, Allen McNish and Rinaldo Capello, cantered to a three lap margin win. Second came the surprise result, the privately-entered Lola BK10 LMP2 car of Jon and Clint Field and Liz Halliday beating the pair of Penske-entered Porsche LMP2 cars, which led for most of the way but failed before the finish.

In GTS, the Prodrive Aston Martins led to begin with but the Corvettes caught and passed them, winning the class.

In GT2, the Porsche domination was at last broken, a Panoz Esperante GTLM beating the seeming hordes of Porsche GT3RSRs. A memorable race indeed.

Your author went to Sebring to watch the start and first hour of the race and took the opportunity to visit the famous "Turn Ten", where Norman, Gregg, Jupiter John et al made me most welcome and from where I shot the accompanying photos of the race. I hope you enjoy them.

Of course, to get to turn ten, I had to cross Sebring’s notorious infield, where some 100,000 spectators had gathered with their built up viewing positions, as only the diehard Sebring spectator can. Some of the photos of the viewing positions are included here and fellow author Lee Self will shortly be bringing out a book that will detail the history of Sebring as he has seen it, from both competitor and spectator points of view. Should be interesting!

And finally…Our new book on the IMSA GTP and Group C racing period, "Golden Era – The History of Group C and IMSA GTP" sold out at all the Sebring booksellers! We’re very pleased with its reception, both here and abroad. Take a look at the website and you can find how to order it direct from us.