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Pair Of Peugeots For Sebring 12 Hours

Peugeot confirmed today its two-car entry into the 57th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida with a pair of diesel-powered 908 Hdi factory prototypes for America’s greatest sports car race. This year’s event will mark the second consecutive trip to Sebring International Raceway for the exquisite coupes.

Monday’s announcement puts an even brighter spotlight on the front of the grid. The two 908s will go up against four brand new P1 entries – Acura’s two ARX-02a and a pair of Audi’s R15 TDI prototypes.

“The confirmation of Peugeot’s entries only adds to what already will be an outstanding event to start the second decade of the American Le Mans Series as well as celebrates our 100th all-time race,” said Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the American Le Mans Series. “Those that were fortunate enough to attend Sebring and Petit Le Mans last season felt the buzz and electricity Peugeot generated with its exotic and tremendously innovative diesel-powered coupe. Combined with the debuts of new LMP1 efforts from both Acura and Audi, alongside additional new GT content that is almost too numerous to count, the 57th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida has all the signs of a modern-day classic.”

Nic Minassian, Pedro Lamy and Christian Klien will partner in one Peugeot coupe. Franck Montagny, Stephane Sarrazin and Sebastien Bourdais will drive the other. Five of Peugeot’s drivers – Minassian, perhaps the best prototype driver of the lot, being the exception – have F1 experience with Bourdais currently employed by Scuderia Toro Rosso; he is the only one among the six to boast a class victory at Sebring (2006 in GT2 with Panoz).

Last year’s Sebring debut for Peugeot saw a single 908 finish 11th overall and fourth in class after lengthy pit stops for hydraulic problems and a wheel bearing change. It also finished second overall behind Audi at Road Atlanta’s Petit Le Mans in a classic endurance duel.

The American Le Mans Series will open its 11th season with the 57th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida on Saturday, March 21. SPEED will televise the race live from 10 a.m. to noon and 2-11 p.m. ET. American Le Mans Radio and Live Timing & Scoring will be available at americanlemans.com.

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