Race report
IMSA Sebring
Three hours into Sebring 12, Action Express leads DP trio
The power struggle has shifted in favor of the Daytona Prototypes as we hit the three hour mark at Sebring.
Nick DeGroot
Edited: Mar 21, 2015, 7:12 PM
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Sebring, Fla. - The 63rd annual 12 Hours of Sebring is underway. At the start, Olivier Pla momentarily lost the lead to Ryan Dalziel in the ESM entry but regained it by the time they exited the first corner.
Calm first hour
The Krohn Racing Ligier held onto the top spot until the first set of stops when they were the only top running prototype that opted to make a driver change. Dalziel and ESM have led the way since.
The DeltaWing suffered early electrical issues that have put the team almost ten full laps behind, read more about their first hour dramas HERE.
While trying to overtake a GTD Porsche, Ozz Negri made slight contact with Joao Barbosa in the Action Express entry. Both the Corvette DP and the Shank Ligier escaped the incident unscathed.
The first real accident of the event goes to Alex Job Racing and Leh Keen, who went for a spin at turn ten. The No. 3 Corvette then got into the No. 52 PC. Not long after, the first safety car was needed when the No. 98 AMR Aston spun and stopped on track after losing the right rear wheel. The car was on its outlap from the pits.
On the restart, which took place just as the first hour was completed, Negri came to the pits with an unknown issue, losing a lap in the process.
Two PCs got together including the pole-sitting No. 16 BAR1 entry, which went off the track after colliding with the No. 11 RSR car.
Shank crashes, crew member struck on pit road
Two major incidents took place within minutes of each other just as it seemed the race was getting into a groove. Oswaldo Negri was trying to lap the Falken Porsche and make up time from those earlier issues and got up on the curbs, losing control. The car hooked right and into the tire barriers, causing significant damage to the left front, left side, and rear portions of the prototype. Negri was okay.
Moments later, the field rushed down pit road. The overall pole-sitting No. 57 Krohn Racing Ligier and PC pole-sitting No. 16 BAR1 ORECA came together as the PC pulled out in front of the superior prototype. The collision caused damage to both cars, but all concern surrounded a tire carrier for the No. 50 DP, which was struck and thrown into the air by the No. 16. After a few minutes on his back with the medical team, he got up and walked it off.
To read more about these two incidents and see video of Negri's crash, CLICK HERE. The No. 5 Action Express Corvette DP took over control of the race through this cycle of stops.
DeltaWing to the garage
The third full-course caution of the day came when the rear suspension failed on the DeltaWing. The car limped to a stop and has been taken back to the garage, where the team is working to return to the race.
A trio of DPs run out front of the race with the No. 5 Action Express entry ahead of the No. 90 and its sister No. 31 car. RSR Racing has control over PC while the No. 911 factory Porsche leads GTLM, and the No. 33 Riley Viper leads GTD.
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Previous article Michael Shank Racing crashes, crew member struck in pit road incident
Next article Halfway through Sebring 12 Hours and four prototypes remain within striking distance
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