At the 8-hour mark with just 4-hours to go, the Acura HPD No. 01 team, currently with David Brabham at the wheel is keeping the two leading Peugeots honest up front. However, if it comes down to a sprint race in the final hour one gets the sense the Peugeots have the strength to pull out the overall win.
In the hard fought GT class it is still a barn burning all-out battle between the Ferrari 458 and the two Rahal BMWs. The BMW is leading but the Ferrari is right up its exhaust pipes. And Corvette and Porsche are right there as well.
The new Risi Competizione No. 062 Ferrari 458 Italia GT is continuing to run flawlessly and remains closely in touch with the leading pack of GT cars.
After the last round of pit stops, carried out under the ninth full course caution period so far, the newest Ferrari from the Corse Clienti stable is running in fifth place amongst the GT field. There are four manufacturers within the top six and all are on the same lap which indicates the high and intensely close level of competition enjoyed within the American Le Mans Series.
Toni Vilander said after his time in the car earlier this afternoon: “Things are going well so far and the F458 is running without any problems. We are finding it difficult to keep up with the BMWs, especially on the straights, but we just need to keep going without any issues or making any mistakes and we’ll see where we are in a few hours time.”
As temperatures cool and the sun begins to lower in the sky, the race pace will – historically – pick up. Risi Competizione has won the 12 Hours of Sebring before on the last corner of the last lap; at this event, as darkness falls, the team knows to expect anything and hope for everything.
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