Monday 23rd March 2009

McNish Wins Again At Sebring 12hrs

Flying Scotsman storms to victory at Sebring

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First blood in the 2009 LMP1 endurance battle has gone to Allan McNish and the new Audi R15 following a dramatic clash with Peugeot’s latest 908 at the Sebring 12 hours.

In a race that could herald a classic clash at Le Mans in June, McNish drove a brilliant final stint to clinch victory for the diesel-powered Audi on its competitive debut - a spectacular contest that saw the Audi and Peugeot battling virtually wheel to wheel for the first nine hours.

A puncture forced the lead Montagny/Bourdais/Sarrazin Peugeot to pit in the final hours giving Audi a one-minute cushion that Bourdais clawed back with some impressive pace. However it was Nishy’s blistering final stint that sealed victory for the Audi R15 he shared with Kristensen and Capello, pulling out lap times consistently one or two secs quicker than the Peugeot and finally taking the chequered flag 22 secs before the second-placed 908 crossed the line.

‘The puncture didn't help but Allan McNish just killed us,’ said Bourdais after the race. ‘I was quite a bit quicker than the Audi when I was on the track, but as soon as Allan turned the heat up, we couldn't do anything.

‘It looks like traffic doesn't have any impact on his performance. He seems to be on another planet and there's nothing we can do about it. Franck (Montagny) has been trying like a mad man, but we just didn't have enough.’

The result makes McNish – aka The Flying Scotsman – the most successful Brit in the history of the Sebring 12hrs with a hat-trick of wins under his belt.

[Northern-Loop]

I thought it was a good race. Although I didnt watch the full 12 hours I did watch most of it though.

Well Done McNish

[Mafioso]

Wow that thing is certainly ugly from the side.

[Altrezia]

I really enjoyed watching the race. McNish is such a fantastic driver.

[S3_Graham]

Altrezia said:

I really enjoyed watching the race. McNish is such a fantastic driver.

Another great british driver that because he isnt driving F1 doesnt seem to get a mention!!

[slarnge]

Roll on Lemans!

[haggy]

S3_Graham said:

Altrezia said:

I really enjoyed watching the race. McNish is such a fantastic driver.

Another great british driver that because he isnt driving F1 doesnt seem to get a mention!!

He is superb! i swear it was most of his work at last years Le Mans that won them the race!

[Nick M]

haggy said:

S3_Graham said:

Altrezia said:

I really enjoyed watching the race. McNish is such a fantastic driver.

Another great british driver that because he isnt driving F1 doesnt seem to get a mention!!

He is superb! i swear it was most of his work at last years Le Mans that won them the race!

True about AMcN in terms of pace, but in fairness to Tom Kristensen, he was putting in some blinding laps in the wet in the night, and that really helped swing things back Audi's way last year.

[roland82]

I saw about 4 hours in all and it was really good. I was rooting for Peugeot its a shame they lost but like everyone said bring on Le Mans.

[zebedee]

Why Peugeot? With a drive like that McNish deserved to win. Bourdais was quick, but he ran two stints on new tyres, which made his drives look special - he also went off track at least once and had a half spin. I really don't like him, ever since he took Martin Short off at Le Mans.

Go Nishy!

[spikeyplanet]

I reckon I managed to watch about 10 of the 12 hours, it was a brilliant race.
McNish totally owned Sebring on his last laps leading to his splash and dash finish!

[Dr G]

I watched most of the race but fell aleep an hour from the end, doh!

Well done team Audi ^_^

[fatboy18]

Roll on June

[Regional]

Yup i also watched around 10 hours, thought it was an excellent race and most of the driving was very good.

Pity about grid size, another 10 cars would have really made it interesting for the P1 cars in traffic.

Shame how GT2 panned out, a lap lead in that class just allows you so much space in those cars - 2 minutes is a long time to make up on drivers like Melo, Salo and the like.

GT1 needs more cars.

I really had my fingers crossed for the Acura, pagenaud is a quality driver and scott dixon was on a different planet to his team mates.

[Wayney]

I saw a clip on Youtube, for 6 mins of wheel to wheel action, looked spectacular!!

Does any 1 know if the race highlights will be aired again on Telly, SKY?

:-)

[Dr Imran T]

Wayney said:

I saw a clip on Youtube, for 6 mins of wheel to wheel action, looked spectacular!!

Does any 1 know if the race highlights will be aired again on Telly, SKY?

:-)

It was a superb race indeed. McNish was totally superb! I think the highlights will be on motors TV.

[Wayney]

Dr Imran T said:

Wayney said:

I saw a clip on Youtube, for 6 mins of wheel to wheel action, looked spectacular!!

Does any 1 know if the race highlights will be aired again on Telly, SKY?

:-)

It was a superb race indeed. McNish was totally superb! I think the highlights will be on motors TV.

Guys just checked Motors TV listing, and they are showing the highlights on Motors at 21:00 this Tuesday 24th March, just in case you missed it or wanted to see it again. :-)

http://www.motorstv.com/tv-guide-uk?d=2009-03-24&a...

[StuB]

Wayney said:

Dr Imran T said:

Wayney said:

I saw a clip on Youtube, for 6 mins of wheel to wheel action, looked spectacular!!

Does any 1 know if the race highlights will be aired again on Telly, SKY?

:-)

It was a superb race indeed. McNish was totally superb! I think the highlights will be on motors TV.

Guys just checked Motors TV listing, and they are showing the highlights on Motors at 21:00 this Tuesday 24th March, just in case you missed it or wanted to see it again. :-)

http://www.motorstv.com/tv-guide-uk?d=2009-03-24&a...

Cheers dude, that'll get recorded on the HDR.

[V8 Vette]

Le-Mans series is just great. McNish deserves more from our media. He is "the Master" Well Done. Looking forward to Le-Mans in June.

[fatboy18]

Will agree with other comments though, we do need more cars in GT1 BRING BACK VIPER

[ROCKY VIAZZANI]

God bless Motors TV.

What a race! Mcnish is the man!