"We need some reference point before Le Mans...."

[John Thawley]

Autoweek reporting:

Peugeot could take on Audi in the 2008 12 Hours of Sebring. The French manufacturer is considering taking part in the American Le Mans Series opener in March if Audi--its rival for the overall win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans--opts out of racing against its 908 HDi turbodiesels full time in the European-based Le Mans Series.

Peugeot admitted that it was surprised by Audi's race pace at Le Mans this year and conceded that it needs to race against the R10 TDIs before it returns to Le Mans.

"We need some reference point before Le Mans. That means racing against Audi," said Peugeot Sport team manager Serge Saulnier. "If they do not come to the LMS, we expect to race at Sebring."

That also stands as a veiled threat to withdraw from the LMS. Peugeot Sport boss Michel Barge has backtracked on a firm commitment to stay in the series and now insists that there is no decision for 2008.

Saulnier explained that a schedule combining "the best races of the ALMS and the LMS" around its Le Mans bid is one option for next year.

[Smoke]

When does the entry period close for Sebring? When will we know if Peugot is coming?

P.S. Good Luck with the new venture John & Co.

[Nick Koske]

Originally Posted by Smoke

When does the entry period close for Sebring? When will we know if Peugot is coming?

I'm sure if Peugeot decided the day before Sebring the ALMS would allow them in...Just my speculation of course. Most likely we'd hear something early next year (Jan or Feb)...They would have to start planning at some point...again just speculation.

[Rizzo]

Peugeot admitted that it was surprised by Audi's race pace at Le Mans this year and conceded that it needs to race against the R10 TDIs before it returns to Le Mans.

Why would they be surprised? After all the years dominating the 24 hours... did Peugeot think they would be slow?

Regardless, I hope to see them at Sebring next year.

The place I am staying at in Sebring said everything is already booked. Maybe it's all the support staff from Peugeot?

Anyone heard anything else about Sebring being booked up?

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Smoke

When does the entry period close for Sebring? When will we know if Peugot is coming?

P.S. Good Luck with the new venture John & Co.

07 was on Jan 24th, but like Nick said as long as they had the cars there in enough time to meet scrutineering they would probably be allowed to race. As to when we might find out I believe the first official list was published on Feb 28th and finalized on March 14th link

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Rizzo

Peugeot admitted that it was surprised by Audi's race pace at Le Mans this year and conceded that it needs to race against the R10 TDIs before it returns to Le Mans.

Why would they be surprised? After all the years dominating the 24 hours... did Peugeot think they would be slow?

Regardless, I hope to see them at Sebring next year.

The place I am staying at in Sebring said everything is already booked. Maybe it's all the support staff from Peugeot?

Anyone heard anything else about Sebring being booked up?

No they probably did not think that Audi was slow. I would suspect that they had used the differentiation of pace in the ALMS of the Audi compared to P-2 and then used their own pace vs. P-2 and thought they were in the ballpark. Wrong! So they have decided they need real world data as to not get their face pushed in the mud this year.