The two Nissan DPis on the first two rows of the Sebring 12-Hours grid
IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, round 2, Sebring 12 Hours – Qualifying
Olivier Pla and Pipo Derani in the #2 and #22 Nissan DPis entered by Tequila Patron ESM have clinched places on the first two rows of the starting grid for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Sebring 12 Hours.
Qualifying was particularly closely fought as shown by the gap between the first and 10th qualifiers, less than a second! The drivers only had 15 minutes to bang in their qualifying lap.
Olivier Pla will start on the front row after getting round in 1m47.592sec, only 16/100ths of a second behind the #90 Cadillac that set pole. Pipo Derani who lapped in 1m47.834sec will start in fourth place alongside the #7 Acura.
The #52 and #32 Ligier JS P217 run by ASF/PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports and United Autosports locked out row 8 and will use the duration of the race to move up the time sheets. The #52 Ligier JS P217 had an engine problem. It will be replaced for the race. The #32 Ligier JS P217 spun and considerably damaged its tyres.
The start of the iconic Sebring 12 Hours, won in 2016 by the Tequila Patron ESM Ligier JS P2 Honda HPD, will be given on Saturday 17th March at 10h40 (local time).
Photo : Big Tom Photography