IMSA: A fine fourth place for Sean Creech and its #33 Ligier JS P217 at the 12 Hours of Sebring

16 March 2024 - In only its second race in the LMP2 class, Sean Creech Motorsport has achieved a major milestone with a top-four finish for the #33 Ligier JS P217 at the 12 Hours of Sebring, one of the world's most gruelling endurance races.

- The race got underway at 9.40am on Saturday 16 March. Gentleman driver Lance Willsey started in thirteenth position for a double stint. Despite a spin at the start of the race, he continued to attack for the remainder of his double stint. He entered the pit lane seventh before handing over to João Barbosa.

- The three-time Sebring winner then lapped at a good pace for 90 minutes, before stopping in the pits to hand over the wheel to Lance Willsey.

- With a lightning-quick stop from the team, Lance Willsey took to the track in third place. While he was on the pace and putting in a string of laps, the car in front of him braked early at Turn 16, forcing the driver into a spin in order to avoid contact. The driver made a forced pit stop, losing two laps.

- “The car was so good, which makes the incident even more unfortunate,” said Willsey. “I was running my race and everything was going to plan. I don't know if he didn't see me or he braked very early, but I had to really get on the brakes trying to avoid hitting him and tearing up both cars. I spun and it just took a while to cycle through and get going again.”

- Over the final six hours, João Barbosa and Jonny Edgar traded stints, battling hard on the bumpy and unforgiving Sebring track.

- With just under three hours to go, the #33 Ligier was back on the lead lap and heading for the front, reaching sixth position before the penultimate driver change.

- João Barbosa continued to keep up the pressure as night falls.

- Jonny Edgar took the wheel in the final hour. The young driver put in some competitive laps and held on to eighth place, with the first eight LMP2s running nose to tail.

- He returned to the pits for a final pit stop at the end of a yellow flag. Back on track, he made some smart overtakes and stayed out of trouble. A fine performance which enabled him to cross the finish line in fourth place.

- “This was a great result for the team,” said Edgar. “We're continuing to develop the car and we made a good jump this week. The car was definitely better than where we had it on Thursday, and compared to Daytona, we seemed more competitive as well. The team did a great job with the strategy to get the laps back when we needed to and then at the end, hitting the fuel stop at exactly the right time.”

- “I'm not usually prone to celebrating a P4 but I think that, given the challenges that we have undertaken, with limited testing and facing some teething pains and challenges at Daytona, this is a definite positive,” added Willsey. “I think it is a testament once again to the hard work and the dedication of this team and the drivers. It was a true team effort.”

The Sahlen's Six Hours will take place on the Watkins Glen International circuit from 20 to 23 June 2024.

Photo credit: Sean Creech Motorsport – Diane Swintal

To read the press release from Sean Creech Motorsport, CLICK HERE.

For more information on Sean Creech Motorsport, CLICK HERE.

For the full results, please CLICK HERE.

For more information on the Ligier JS P217, CLICK HERE.