SEBRING, Florida – The Nissan-powered ESM squad is preparing for one of the biggest challenges in sports car racing this weekend – competing for 12 hours on the bumpy Sebring International Raceway.
First held in 1950, the 12-hour race takes place on a Sebring circuit that includes old runways from Hendricks Army Airfield, a base where American B-17 pilots were trained during World War II.
The biggest battle facing the teams in this second round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is not necessarily the other cars. Rather, it’s the track itself, whose bumps test the durability of the race machines. Two places on the 3.74-mile circuit are particularly rough—Turns 17 and 1, which lead onto and off the front straight, respectively.
Nevertheless, the drivers like the track. “Sebring is one of my favorite races,” said Nicolas Lapierre, who will drive the No. 22 Nissan-powered Onroak with Pipo Derani and Johannes van Overbeek.
Added Lapierre: “I love this old school track and the great atmosphere that you can feel throughout the week. It is a fun track, but it is also one of the hardest races in the world. The bumps give a very hard time to the car. As a driver, you have to stay focused every second.”
Although the ESM team had some teething troubles at the Rolex 24 opener, the drivers feel confident going into Sebring. “I’m convinced that we have a package to fight in the front,” said Lapierre. “Testing between Daytona and Sebring went well, so we’re feeling confident heading into the race.”
The No. 2 ESM partner car will again be driven by Scott Sharp, Ryan Dalziel and Olivier Pla.
It’s race week! We’re always excited to head back to @sebringraceway for a shot at (again) winning the #Sebring12! pic.twitter.com/8cm7x5S7aT
— Tequila Patrón ESM (@PatronESM) March 12, 2018
In case you missed it, here is your viewing guide for the Prototypes competing in the #Sebring12 See you March 14-17! pic.twitter.com/CLrz9QTBIA
— Sebring Raceway (@sebringraceway) March 11, 2018
NISMO Calendar
March 13-14
- Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, Official Test Days, Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France
March 15-17
- IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, 12 Hours of Sebring, Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, Florida
March 22-25
- Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, Albert Park F1 Circuit, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Contact
Anna Teslik
Global Motorsport Marketing and Communications Manager
+33 7 7614 7286
ateslik@nissan-europe.com
Paul Ryan
Marketing and PR Manager
1-678-644-0404
paul@nismosupport.com