SEBRING, Fl — The Lowe’s Fernandez Racing Team turned 216 laps over the course of the three-day test on the 3.7-mile Sebring road course in late January and is readying for its assault on the famed race course where its chief competition will likely come from the Mazda powered Dyson team.

The team which is composed of AdrianFernandez, Luis Diaz, and Michel Jourdain Jr., who will join the squad for the Sebring and Petit Le Mans endurance classics.

As the team enters its third season of ALMS competition it has had to update its racer to conform to the new ACO (AutomobileClub de l’Ouest) guidelines for the class. The ACO, which administers the technical rules, requires all LMP2 cars to weigh 850 pounds in 2009, up 110 pounds from last year, as well as mandating a 10 percent smaller engine intake restrictor (which is now 40.7mm) and increasing the rear Gurney flap by 5mm making it now 20mm total.

This rule has definitely slowed down the LMP2 cars and Fernandez notes: “The car is 50 kilos heavier plus the intake restrictor is 10 percent smaller than last year which makes the car quite a bit slower. We also have a five millimeter bigger Gurney on the back which makes the car go a little bit slower on the straights. In all, the car feels heavier and slower and it is harder to pass the GT2s than before.”

In the test session, Fernandez turned the fastest lap with the car, touring the course at 1:46.540 (125.023 mph). He and his team hope to improve their consistency from last season and Fernandez added, ” We are looking forward to a good season and to representing our sponsors and partners Lowe’s, Acura and Michelin with strong results. If we can finish races, I know we can win.”

Of course, there could no greater way to start the season than with a win at fabled Sebring.