Robertson Racing geared up for Sebring season opener

American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron GT class contenders Robertson Racing will return to competitive action for the first time in over five months this weekend (March 19) at the world famous Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida.

 

2011 looks set to be the Atlanta-based team’s most promising campaign yet in North America’s premier sportscar championship as it embarks on a first full season dual-Ford GT programme.

 

The winter break has been anything but a quiet time at their Braselton headquarters where a raft of development work has been ongoing ahead of yesterday’s first practice session at Florida’s Sebring International Raceway.

 

Pre-season testing revealed the team’s self-developed Ford GT to have made significant progress over its previous incumbent which had shown glimpses of its potential throughout last season.

 

Hopes are high of that progress continuing at the gruelling 12 hour enduro this weekend where former Sebring winner Boris Said, who also has two Daytona 24 Hour victories under his belt, joins the experienced #040 crew of David Robertson and Andrea Robertson. The #004 Ford meanwhile sees team regular David Murry partner the returning Anthony Lazzaro and talented youngster Colin Braun.

 

Team Manager Andrew ‘H’ Smith: “We’re certainly in a stronger position than this time last year, and that’s without running a lot of the new developments at February’s winter test. Sebring will be the first time that all of those elements really come together so it promises to be an exciting race. Of course, everyone else will have made progress too but I’m confident of being competitive.

 

“One of our greatest strengths is reliability, which will be crucial to scoring a strong result around what’s probably the most physically punishing race on the calendar, including Le Mans. Keeping our noses clean will be especially crucial in such a congested event this year but with a wealth of experience in the driver ranks, including a former winner here, there’s plenty of potential for a great result.”

 

American viewers can see the race live on www.ESPN3.com from 10.15am ET while ABC will carry television coverage on Sunday at 12.30pm.

 

You can also tune in to www.RadioLeMans.com for live commentary of each session and the race itself throughout the week while non-US viewers can watch live streamed coverage on www.americanlemans.com.

 

12 Hours of Sebring schedule

 

Monday, March 14:

8.00am – 12.00pm: Test session

1.00pm – 5.00pm: Test session

 

Tuesday, March 15:

11.35am – 12.35pm: Test session

3.50pm – 4.50pm: Test session

 

Thursday, March 17:

10.15am – 11.15am: Free Practice

3.05pm – 4.05pm: Free Practice

7.50pm – 9.35pm: Night Practice

 

Friday, March 18:

10.40am – 11.40am: Free Practice

3pm – 3.15pm: Qualifying (GT)

 

Saturday, March 19:

8am – 8.25am: Warm Up

10.30am – 10.30pm: 59th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Fresh from Florida

 

 

© RIF | Robertson Racing