10:30: Peugeot goes to the front of the class

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SEBRING, Fl — Just about when you thought the R-15 was invincible, the Peugeot stepped into the lead — convincingly.

Just before noon there was an incident between the No. 9 Acura ARX-02a driven by David Brabham and the No. 40 Doran Ford GT MK7 driven by Andrea Robertson at turn 16. Brbham and the Acura wound up sideways  on the track while the Ford was into the tires. A yellow flag came out to sort out the mess.

Brabham drove into the pits and then returned to the race apparently no worse for the wear. 

While on the yellow McNish drove the No. 2 Audi R-15 into the pits where the car received four tires, fuel and a driver change with Rinaldo Capello taking over driving duties. The No. 1 Audi R-15 also stopped  for tires, fuel, and driver change, with Marco Werner replace Mike Rockenfeller.

The Peugeot team follow suit as Stephane Sarrazin replaced Franck Montagny in the No. 08 Peugeot 908 HDI FAP.

A few minutes later  the No. 7 Peugeot with Nicolas Minassian took over the lead and the Peugeot has not looked back. At the two hour mark the Peugeot was up by five seconds over the the No. 2 Audi. The second Peugeot is in third, nipping at Capello’s heals.

As the Lowes sponsored Acura ARX-01B with Luis Diaz at the wheel continues to lead the LMP2 class and holds a one lap lead over its nearest competition, the Lola B09 86 Mazda, currently with Marino Franchitti.

The No. 3 Corvette C6-R with Johnny O’Connell at the wheel currently continues to lead the GT1 class while Mathias Russo in the Ferrari 430 GT has taken the lead in the GT2 class.

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The Audi R-15 swoops through a turn.

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The leader in the GT2 class at the two hour mark — shown here in third place.

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12:00 2009 Sebring is underway

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SEBRING, Fl — AllanMcNish in No. 2 Audi R-15 bolted from the field at the start of the 57th running of the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida and for the first hour of the race looked invincible. An hour into the race he was already lapping the back of the P2 cars and had a 10 second lead over the second place Peugeot.

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McNish gave up the lead to the No. 07 Peugeot on a pit stop but then recaptured the lead two or three laps later turning the fastest lap of the race to date at 1:45.232, which is near qualifyung time.

Sebring: 9:00 am

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SEBRING, Fl — Just 90 minutes before the start of the race and the pits are a proverbial beehive of activity as race officials, team members, drivers, and media people are finishing preparation.

The famed old race track saw a beautiful sunrise greet it this morning with clear skies. Drivers have just completed their last test session, a 30 minute romp that is the last chance to make final adjustments before the green flag drops.

Now there is 90 minutes of ceremony as teams make final preparations before the start of the race.

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A quite moment between Audi teammates.

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The Audi waits for the test session to go green.

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A look over the shoulder to the Audi R-15.

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Waiting for the test session to start.

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More waiting.

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