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Strong qualifying for Lola runners at Sebring

Lola LMP1 sports cars will start today’s Sebring 12 Hours from strong positions on the 34-car grid.

Aston Martin Racing believe that they can challenge the front row Peugeot entries after Stefan Mucke qualified in 3rd position with a best time of 1m46.079s in the Lola B09/60 LMP1 car, just two tenths of a second from the 2nd placed diesel powered Peugeot.

“It could be closer in the race because we are good on reliability and also on heavy tanks,” said AMR Lola driver, Mucke. “The car has felt good all week and we will concentrate on a solid and fast pace through the whole 12 hours.”

Drayson Racing start just behind the AMR Lola with their Judd powered LMP1, running the 2010 Lola designed and built development upgrades. The team did an exceptional job to get Emanuele Pirro ready for qualifying after a practice accident earlier in the day necessitated repairs to the rear of the car.

"The main positive thing is that the car is as good as it was in the morning. No sign of any problems,” I can't say that I have been using the Michelin tyres real well. We have to get some experience using the tyres and building the pressures and the grip in a proper way. I think there was something more in the car to come but the time makes me very happy. Second row is the best we could expect. I went out at the end again to learn a little more about these tyres for the race tomorrow. We are here to complete a 12 hour race and not set a pole position."

Autocon Motorsports started their season with 6th place in LMP1 with their familiar orange open cockpit Lola. Bryan Willman, Tony Burgess and team newcomer Pierre Ehret will be looking to complete the race in preparation for their trip to Le Mans for the 24 Hours in June.

In LMP2 Dyson Racing start from third position after a tremendously exciting and close qualifying session. Guy Smith, along with team mates Chris Dyson and Andy Meyrick is confident that the team will have a strong car for the race.

“The car was close in qualifying and more importantly we have a very good race car. As Rob Dyson likes to say, ‘pay day is tomorrow,’” said Smith.

The 12 Hours of Sebring starts at 14.30gmt and will be shown live on Motors TV and www.americanlemans.com