23.3.09
The Ferrari F430GT took a clean sweep in the GT2 class in the classic
Sebring 12 hours; the first race of the 2009 American Le Mans Series.
The Risi Competizione car of Jaime Melo, Mika Salo and Pierre Kaffer gained
class victory after 332 laps. The car crossed the line three laps ahead
of the car from the Advanced Engineering team with Luiz Perez Companc,
Mattias Russo and the Italian Gimmi Bruni behind the wheel. Porsche outran
Ferrari in qualifying, but their effort wilted due to a multitude of mechanical
problems.
Outright victory went to the new Audi R15 on its competition debut. A
stunning final stint by Alan McNish leaving the pursuing Peugeot 908 HDi
of Montagny / Sarrazin / Bourdais with no ultimate answer, despite current
F1 Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Bourdais showing great pace earlier in
the race. This was Audi's tenth consecutive victory, Ferrari's last was
in 1998 by the 333SP of Theys / Baldi / Moretti.
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