Sebring 12 Hours ALMS and NSXCA - Photos

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After the successful debut of Acura in the American LeMans for the 2007 season, Acura once again has graciously agreed to host the NSXCA at a number of the ALMS events for 2008. Today began the ALMS season in Sebring with the 12 hour race getting underway tomorrow morning.

We did our parade laps before lunch at speeds much higher than we experienced last year at Sebring, Laguna and Lime Rock. Wei-Shen allowed an IMSA official to pilot his NSX as the lead and we had very impressive speeds all while remaining safe.

Thanks to the addition constructed on the hotel Chateau Elan at the track, I have managed to secure a wifi connection since the addition is now about 1000 feet closer to our hospitality tent and they have left their wifi open. Thank you Sheraton 4 Points.

Here are a few preliminary shots from today's practice session and parade laps.

 

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Just got back in from the group dinner in Sarasota where many of us are staying (yes, it was necessary to stay that far away since all the closer hotels get booked for the race week). Thanks to Wei-Shen for arranging the dinner as well as for helping to organize the entire race weekend.

After our catered lunch courtesy of Acura, we were visited by the drivers of the three Acura teams. Bryan Herta (Andretti/Green Racing - XM car #26), Scott Sharp (Highcroft/Patron car # 9) and Luis Diaz (Lowes Fernandez #15) spoke to our group to give us their impressions as the new season gets underway. We also learned that Acura intends to have an LMP1 ready to go head to head in class with Audi next season.

Here a few shots from that portion of the day before I get settled in to try to get some rest to spend a good portion of the 12 hour race tomorrow searching for photo ops.

P.S. Thanks to Rob Lane (DocL) for taking me as a passenger during the parade laps so I could hang out the window and try to grab some photos.

 

[RPM217]

Great pictures as usual Bob, thanks for posting 'em up. Enjoy the races!

 

[BioBanker]

If you see Kim from IMSA, say hi from Toronto!

Enjoy, my PVR is set.

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: Sebring 12 Hours Audio problems?

I'm watching it on Dish TV (previously recorded) and the audio cuts out every 3 seconds or so. :frown: They have not acknowledged it or apologized in the first 45 minutes, so I'm wondering if that was not in the original broadcast but a glitch that has crept into the system somewhere along the way. Anyone else have the audio cut outs?

 

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[areout]

Nice!

 

[docjohn]

I got the audio cuts too, speed comes through comcast in my neck o the woods.

 

[FeetFxr]

There were some beautiful cars out there today. :wink:
Unfortunately, Acura didn't come in 1st, but did well.
We did get a nice "XM" die-cast car and I spoke to one
of the head Acura marketing guys who leaked out the next
NSX would be out in about 2-4 years and be either front
or mid-engine and be a V-10...Woo, Hoo!
<p>
<img src=http://aycu36.webshots.com/image/47075/2005765752278292928_rs.jpg>
<img src=http://aycu05.webshots.com/image/48604/2005797697038367295_rs.jpg>
<img src=http://aycu15.webshots.com/image/49494/2005727528191819505_rs.jpg>
<img src=http://aycu05.webshots.com/image/49044/2005736081518784832_rs.jpg>
<img src=http://aycu24.webshots.com/image/49343/2005715327596882152_rs.jpg>
<img src=http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/46222/2005726964253882144_rs.jpg>
<img src=http://aycu02.webshots.com/image/49001/2005780710110106936_rs.jpg>
He thought this was way cooler than the cars!!
<img src=http://aycu24.webshots.com/image/49303/2005727079820755465_rs.jpg>
<img src=http://aycu22.webshots.com/image/46581/2005701077449551748_rs.jpg>
<img src=http://aycu37.webshots.com/image/48596/2005740493852855980_rs.jpg>

 

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A second place overall finish for Acura with the Lowes Fernandez #15 capped off a great couple of days at Sebring. (EDIT: I didn't realize until this morning that Fernandez failed a post-race inspection and ended up being excluded.) This was my 4th ALMS with Acura and I never grow tired of the experience. Thanks to Acura for the hospitality we encourage all to take advantage of Acura's generosity when the event comes to your neighborhood.

 

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Got milk?

 

[RPM217]

There were some beautiful cars out there today. :wink:
Unfortunately, Acura didn't come in 1st, but did well.
We did get a nice "XM" die-cast car and I spoke to one
of the head Acura marketing guys who leaked out the next
NSX would be out in about 2-4 years and be either front
or mid-engine and be a V-10...Woo, Hoo!
Nice Pics FeetFXR are you the SE's Bailey equivalent???!!!

 

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[DocL]

We all know that Bob is our resident photographer extraordinaire, but I did take a few snapshots myself at Sebring. I do have to thank Bob for allowing me to borrow one of his fabulous lenses during the race.

 

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Work in progress gallery: http://photography.robertondrovic.com/gallery/4512951_Zo6se/1/265694823_Cs9gp

 

[PhiAlpha44]

My friend that lives in Florida sent me a camera phone pic of the veilside (i think) and asked me if it was even an NSX. He also told me there were quite a few "riced out" cars as well as a "pink" one. Is there truth to this? The pics don't look like that.

 

[NSXLuvr]

Great pics Robert. What lenses were you using?

 

[RSO 34]

My friend that lives in Florida sent me a camera phone pic of the veilside (i think) and asked me if it was even an NSX. He also told me there were quite a few "riced out" cars as well as a "pink" one. Is there truth to this? The pics don't look like that.

There were no pink NSXs. And aside from the veilside, there were no heavily body modified NSXs nor anything I would consider "riced out".

 

[RSO 34]

Great pics Robert. What lenses were you using?

Thanks. I was shooting a Canon 5d with a 28-300 Canon L series lens. Rob (DocL) was using my 100-400 Canon L series.