American Le Mans Series

2009 Sebring Winter Test - Day 1 Report

© American Le Mans Series

Ten out of fifteen cars took to the track on the first day of the Sebring Winter Test at the Sebring International Raceway in Florida. After three sessions it was an Acura top three, with the brand new LMP1 car setting the fastest lap times.

In the first session on Monday morning the new Acura ARX 02a made its debut in the new 2009 livery as both the de Ferran Motorsports and Patrón Highcroft Racing teams used the test to get to grips with the car. After the prototypes and GTs had completed their first run of the season it was the #66 Acura that had posted the fastest lap time, a 1:45.876. Seven cars posted a time, the new BMW E92 M3 was seventh.

Just after noon the cars went out again for a two hour session. This time nine teams used the available time to work on the cars. Again it was an Acura on top, although this time the LMP Acura ARX-01b of Lowe’s Fernandez Racing beat its bigger brothers, setting a 1:48.216. The #45 Flying Lizards Porsche was fastest in GT2, with the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team BMW E92 M3 third quickest.

The final hour and a half of the day saw nine cars going out again. The de Ferran Motorsports Acura ARX-02a was quickest again this time clocking the fastest time of the day, a 1:45.053. The Fernandez Acura was second fastest, while the #46 Lizards Porsche was quickest in GT2.

ALMS Test Session 1 Result

1. #66 de Ferran Motorsports, Acura ARX 02a (LMP1), 1:45.876 (125.808 mph)
2. #15 Lowe’s Fernandez Racing, Acura ARX 01b (LMP2), 1:47.559 (123.839 mph)
3. #9 Patrón Highcroft Racing, Acura ARX 02a (LMP1), 1:47.599 (123.793 mph)
4. #40 Robertson Racing, Doran Ford GT-R (LMGT2), 2:05.026 (106.538 mph)
5. #21 Panoz Team PTG, Panoz Esperante (LMGT2), 2:05.283 (106.319 mph)
6. #28 LG Motorsports, Chevrolet Riley Corvette C6 (LMGT2), 2:06.661 (105.163 mph)
7. #92 BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team, BMW E92 M3 (LMGT2), 2:07.170 (104.742 mph)

ALMS Test Session 2 Result

1. #15 Lowe’s Fernandez Racing, Acura ARX 01b (LMP2), 1:48.216 (123.087 mph)
2. #66 de Ferran Motorsports, Acura ARX 02a (LMP1), 1:49.345 (121.816 mph)
3. #9 Patrón Highcroft Racing, Acura ARX 02a (LMP1), 1:50.137 (120.940 mph)
4. #45 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:03.385 (107.955 mph)
5. #40 Robertson Racing, Doran Ford GT-R (LMGT2), 2:04.616 (106.888 mph)
6. #92 BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team, BMW E92 M3 (LMGT2), 2:04.909 (106.638 mph)
7. #21 Panoz Team PTG, Panoz Esperante (LMGT2), 2:05.480 (106.152 mph)
8. #28 LG Motorsports, Chevrolet Riley Corvette C6 (LMGT2), 2:05.941 (105.764 mph)
9. #46 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:06.150 (105.589 mph)

ALMS Test Session 3 Result

1. #66 de Ferran Motorsports, Acura ARX 02a (LMP1), 1:45.053 (126.793 mph)
2. #15 Lowe’s Fernandez Racing, Acura ARX 01b (LMP2), 1:49.100 (122.090 mph)
3. #9 Patrón Highcroft Racing, Acura ARX 02a (LMP1), 1:52.603 (118.292 mph)
4. #46 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:03.158 (108.154 mph)
5. #45 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:04.370 (107.100 mph)
6. #28 LG Motorsports, Chevrolet Riley Corvette C6 (LMGT2), 2:04.646 (106.863 mph)
7. #92 BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team, BMW E92 M3 (LMGT2), 2:04.841 (106.696 mph)
8. #87 Farnbacher Loles Racing, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:04.988 (106.570 mph)
9. #40 Robertson Racing, Doran Ford GT-R (LMGT2), 2:09.990 (102.469 mph)