Mar
30
WRO: One team, one car, three drivers and 12 hours…
It seems almost a distant memory since our 12 Hours of Sebring adventure began, however here we are, looking back over what is starting to feel like an almost distant memory – despite it being just two weeks ago.
The WRO team have always had a centred focus on endurance racing, with the overall goal being the ultimate race – the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With a specific goal in mind the idea to make the step up the proverbial motorsport ranks was soon born, with the 12 Hours of Sebring being the first port of call.
As things started to come together we were gradually able to achieve our first goal – to gain an entry into the race. Once we were able to tick that off of the ‘to do’ list, things soon assembled together.
Armed with a team filled with varying levels of experience and talent, the WRO team was set to make history, if only for ourselves. It may seem a small move for others, but for us it was a dream come true to be able to share the tarmac with the likes of Audi and Peugeot for instance. Over the months leading up to the main event, we collected quite a team, and were eager to take our place on the grid. With our Oreca 09 Formula Le Mans car, we ran in the LMPC Class, with drivers Johnny Mowlem, Luca Moro and Olivier Lombard behind the wheel.
The beginning of the Sebring week was dedicated to testing, with a two day test schedule taking primary focus. As the week ticked down to the purpose of our presence in the States, our track time became more and more valuable, as the tension began to mount within the paddock.
Thursday was quite a spectacle for the whole team, with night practice proving very different to racing by sunlight. As floodlights lit the Sebring International Raceway, we finally found our feet, by leading the LMPC Class times for much of the session. After making the decision to cut our night practice short we subsequently only lost two places, finishing the overall classification in a strong third place.
Friday was qualifying day. And so the pressure mounted once again. As we gradually edged our way towards race day the atmosphere in around the paddock became hard to describe. The fans were amazing, with their dedication to all involved clearly evident. Johnny, Luca and Olivier were tasked with a driver autograph session (as were the rest of the ALMS paddock), which allowed us to get to know some of the fans.
As the afternoon sun directed us towards the early evening, qualifying finally arrived. With just 15 minutes to show what we could do, Johnny leapt into the car as we did what we could with the short time available. At the chequered flag we had set the sixth fastest time, with Saturday morning warm-up our next on track adventure.
The early morning sunshine brought with it some good luck for the WRO team. Morning warm-up concluded with us topping the LMPC time sheets, which filled everyone with good spirits for the race.
After a morning of pre-race build up and excitement 10.30am finally arrived. Whilst pacing figures filled the pitlane it was the time we’d all been waiting for, the race start. Two green flag laps lead the way as a field of 56 sportscars thundered across the start line and into the first corner.
A dominant pit strategy ensured we held the prominent spot, with class honours for much of the opening three hours teamed with a stint in second place overall. A 30 second lead cemented our place in class as we approached the first driver change pit stop.
Regardless of our early pace, our 12 Hours of Sebring dream was cut slightly short, when sometime later a damaged floor forced us into retirement just two hours from the end.
Despite our race retirement the team were upbeat about the progress made, having achieved an entry into one of the most gruelling races in the motor racing world, and also lasting 10 hours in the process.
As a team we were fairly new to this level of competition, regardless of our drivers and mechanics experience, but it was a challenge we were all looking forward to. We knew it would be a tough race, but that was part of the excitement. It’s not a bad credit to add to our team CV.
We would like to extend a big thank you to everyone involved in our Sebring experience. We’re currently working on future plans, but once you’ve tasted America it’s difficult to forget the flavour.