IMSA

Art & Revs sells two Sebring 12 Hours Winners

IMSA
24 Mar. 2023 • 13:20
by
lmercier
Photo : Art & Revs

After Le Mans 24h, Sebring is the most challenging endurance race in the world. Both cars also share the honors of having won with French drivers at the wheel. Le Mans Winner Loic Duval drove both, with only 31 and 5 second margins. Here we briefly tell you their breathtaking stories.

 

To begin with the Peugeot 908 chassis 10, a Titan car with its V12 / 900HP engine, began its life with Peugeot Sport in the 2010 ELMS and scored two wins against the Audis. In 2011 Peugeot unveiled their all new V8 engined 908 and AUDI entered the well developed R15+. Oreca was given the older specification chassis 10 in a detuned form, to support the factory team. 

 

Due to several technical issues and crashes, the Oreca car driven by Duval/Lapierre/Panis took the lead, ran faultlessly. David Floury’s strategy was perfect and the car won the race ahead of the factory teams by a 31 second margin. It completed the whole ELMS season that year and was entered at Le Mans where it finished 5th.

 

The Cadillac chassis 20 which was sold to JDC Miller completed the whole of the 2021 season driven by Bourdais/Duval/Vautier and it won the Sebring race. However, it was more eventful than the Peugeot's win in 2011. Indeed after a first serious collision with a spinning Porsche GTD, Felipe Nsr violently hit our #5 Cadillac and sent Bourdais into the tire wall. It was a serious impact but surprisingly he managed to get back on the track with a fully functioning car. With perfect strategy, Bourdais took the lead after Scott Dixon crashed the leading Cadillac. 

 

However, this was not going to be an easy win as twenty minutes before the chequered flag the rear wing partially collapsed. This was a consequence of the Nsr collision, depriving the car of most of its rear down force. This left Bourdais with an almost undrivable car and it is down to his driving skills that he managed to finish. The car was oversteering in high speed corners and when he crossed the finish line he was only five seconds in front of the Penske Acura. This is the smallest victory margin ever at Sebring, and one of the most memorable Sebring finishes.

 

Art & Revs have a highly trained team with in-depth knowledge of both cars and we will be trackside giving support and assistance throughout the endurance racing calendar this year.

 

As leaders in the historic endurance car market and on the racing scene, do feel free to contact us and we will be pleased to discuss your future projects and needs.

 

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