Peugeot Sets The Pace

SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY - You can't be this good out of the box ... can you?

Team Peugeot is showing that it can be that good, smashing the track lap record by turning a lap in the time of 1:42.801 (129.571 mph) on Tuesday in just its fourth run on the historic track. The lap broke the one-day old record of 1:43.821 (128.298 mph) set by Audi on day one of the fourth annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test.

"I didn't even know we broke the record," driver Nic Minassian said during a morning news conference. "I'm not surprised that our laps have been quick, the problem has been reliability."

The diesel-powered Peugeot 908 had problems late Monday, when an oil leak halted practice for the French team until taking the track in the cool morning on Tuesday.

Minassian was visibly excited after taking his turn on the famed track and when asked how the experience compared to other tracks he's competed on.

"This is old time racing here," Minassian said. "This track is unbelievable. I've heard about Sebring from other drivers, but until you're out there, you can't imagine what its like."

The multi-surface track has presented its own set of challenges for Peugeot, who are setting a high bench mark on the track that Audi has dominated for almost a decade.

"I understand why the winter test is so important after taking a few laps," Minassian said. "There are so many variables you have to consider with this course. The tires and car set up for the different times of day. That is why its such a challenge to race here."

Four-time Sebring champion Tom Kristensen of Audi is still in awe of this track after so many years of winning.

"The skill set you have to have to do well at Sebring is a good car, good team and a good mechanical set up," Kristensen said. "Tires are also very important to grip the different surfaces.

"It requires a total team effort to win at Sebring."

The performance of the Peugeot has set the stage to continue its classic battle with Audi at Sebring.
The two manufacturers have battled head-to-head on some of the best European courses for years and the rivalry is one of the best and most exciting in motorsports.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how we do against [Audi] in March," Minassian said. "But don't underestimate Porsche or Acura. They're going to be right there at the end."