The countdown to the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring has begun, with IMSA unveiling a competitive entry list for the event scheduled for next weekend. A total of 55 cars will compete in this second round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the Michelin Endurance Cup, promising thrilling action for fans and teams alike.
Set to take place on March 21, the Sebring International Raceway will host an impressive assortment of vehicles, including 11 GTP prototypes, 12 LMP2 entries, and a mix of 32 GTD and GTD Pro contenders. The diverse lineup is indicative of the event’s longstanding reputation as a highlight on the motorsport calendar.
In the GTP class, the driver rosters remain largely unchanged from the season opener at Daytona. However, a notable update involves JDC-Miller Motorsports' Porsche 963, which has swapped its number from 85 to 5 to reflect the return of the Mustang Sampling sponsorship. JDC-Miller's trio of Tijmen van der Helm, Nico Pino, and Kaylen Frederick is set to pilot the car, ensuring continuity in their competitive strategy. "We are excited to return to Sebring with our team intact and ready to take on the challenge," stated Frederick, emphasizing their commitment to a strong performance.
The LMP2 category welcomes a full contingent of 12 cars, enhanced by the debut of JDC-Miller’s Oreca 07 Gibson. The team has recruited Gerry Kraut, Josh Burdon, and Sennan Fielding for this endeavor, filling the gap left by AF Corse, which participated in Daytona but will not attend Sebring. This change represents the fluid nature of driver partnerships in endurance racing.
Meanwhile, the GTD Pro class has seen a minor reduction, with 13 entries this time compared to 15 at Daytona. Noteworthy among these is Pfaff Motorsports, which is set to debut the Lamborghini Temerario GT3, driven by an all-factory lineup including Andrea Caldarelli, Sandy Mitchell, and Franck Perera. "We're thrilled to showcase the Lamborghini on this prestigious stage," said Caldarelli, showcasing the team's enthusiasm for their newest entry.
As for Winward Racing, their Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be piloted by Luca Stolz, Jason Hart, and Scott Noble. This outing marks the team's second and potentially final GTD Pro appearance this season, further emphasizing the competitive nature of this class.
In the GTD segment, the field expands to 19 cars, featuring some roster changes. The No. 28 RS1 Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo has brought in Spencer Pumpelly, replacing Eric Zitza ahead of the Sebring race. Conversely, Magnus Racing’s Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo will not partake, as part of their planned partial-season strategy.
The 12 Hours of Sebring historically draws substantial participation and this year's lineup is just short of last season’s 56-car total, and well below the maximum allowable of 62 cars as per supplementary regulations. The race is set to kick off at 10:10 a.m. EST, with live action accessible via Peacock.
As the weekend approaches, teams will be fine-tuning their strategies and setups in anticipation of what promises to be another unforgettable race at Sebring, a track known for its challenging layout and rich motorsport heritage.