
Photo : Nicolas COUSSEAU - ACO/Nikon
In less than an hour the 2011 season of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup will kick off when the race start of the 59th 12 Hours of Sebring.
Founded in 2010, the ILMC series included only three races the first year in Europe Silverstone, Road Atlanta in North America and Zhuhai in Asia. Only three races, but three continents were visited. The series has been acclaimed by both teams by private builders, it is growing with no less than seven dates on the 2011 calendar.
Sebring is the ideal event to start the season. First, it is a "classic" of endurance as it is the 59th edition. In addition, the format - of 12 hours - is the spirit of endurance and the circuit, one of the most challenging tracks of the year, reinforces the reputation of the race. "When a car is capable of winning the 12 Hours of Sebring, it can win anywhere," said Bobby Rahal, co-owner of the team which races the official BMW.
For all these reasons, the event is very popular and the fans fill campsites and paddock. The paddock is also chock full 56 participants of which 20 are enterd in ILMC. Moreover, the series attracted teams that have never came to Sebring such as Proton Competition.
Manufacturers and private teams are ready to do battle on the track and for many the goal is to score points with a view to win the ILMC title at the end of the season.
Cecile Bonardel
Photo: Sebring (Florida, USA), 12 Hours of Sebring, March 19, 2011.