The anticipation is building for the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, the second round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Michelin Endurance Cup. IMSA has released an impressive entry list featuring 55 cars that will take to the track next weekend.
Among the competitors, a notable 11 GTP prototypes will race, alongside 12 LMP2 entries, 13 in the GTD Pro class, and a robust 19 GTD participants. This diversity ensures a multi-faceted battle across all categories.
In the GTP class, the lineup remains largely unchanged since the season opener at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. However, one exception is the JDC-Miller Motorsports team, which has swapped numbers for its Porsche 963, now competing as No. 5 due to the return of sponsorship from Mustang Sampling. "Our driver trio remains unchanged," said team spokesperson. "Tijmen van der Helm, Nico Pino, and Kaylen Frederick will be steering our entry in this prestigious series."
The LMP2 category will witness a strong field as well, with 12 cars confirmed. A new addition is JDC-Miller’s Oreca 07 Gibson. "We’re excited to have Gerry Kraut, Josh Burdon, and Sennan Fielding onboard for Sebring," said a JDC-Miller representative. The absence of AF Corse’s Oreca, which participated at Daytona, leaves an opening for new challengers.
Shifting to the GTD Pro class, there has been a slight reduction to 13 entries compared to 15 at Daytona. Notable absences include the No. 75 Express and GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evos, leaving room for fresh talent. A highlight for this race is the global debut of the Lamborghini Temerario GT3 by Pfaff Motorsports. The team features an experienced all-factory driver lineup including Andrea Caldarelli, Sandy Mitchell, and Franck Perera. "This is a significant moment for us, and we're eager to showcase what the Lamborghini can do," said Caldarelli, capturing the spirit of the event.
Winward Racing is also making waves with their Mercedes-AMG, driven by Luca Stolz, Jason Hart, and Scott Noble. "This will be our second and likely final outing in the GTD Pro this season, so we’re preparing intensely for a competitive run," said Stolz.
The GTD class is swelling with 19 entries. Changes include a roster swap for the No. 28 RS1 Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo. "We’re thrilled to welcome Spencer Pumpelly in place of Eric Zitza," stated an RS1 representative. In contrast, Magnus Racing’s Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo will be absent as part of their decision for a partial season.
This year's entry is just shy of last season's impressive 56-car turnout, but still well below the maximum allowed of 62 as stipulated by IMSA’s supplementary regulations. It sets the stage for an exciting race weekend. The action is set to get underway on March 21 at 10:10 a.m. EST, and race fans can catch the live coverage on Peacock.
As teams finalize their preparations and strategize for this prestigious race, the vibrancy of the competition suggests that fans can expect an exhilarating battle among some of the fastest sports cars in the world.