 ACURA ARX-01b RUNS FLAWLESSLY FOR PATRÓN HIGHCROFT RACING IN 56TH RUNNING OF THE 12 H
David Brabham started the 56th running of the 12 Hours of Sebring from the 11th position this morning. When he exited the cockpit 12 hours later after his third driving stint, he and his teammates, Scott Sharp and Stefan Johansson, had brought the team an overall sixth-place finish and a fifth in class.
Brabham said, "I feel pretty pleased with the result. We struggled a bit throughout the week, so I thought if we finished in the top six it would be a great start to the year. To have achieved that in our first race of the season is terrific. The car ran faultlessly the whole race – our only problem was that our pace was not great at the beginning. It picked up at the halfway point and onward through the end of the race, but then it was too late to make up the difference. We've learned a lot and this is a strong way to kick off the season."
After finishing the second and final driving stint of his inaugural American Le Mans Series race, Scott Sharp said, "That was just a really great run. I got very comfortable in the car and was able to turn some really consistent laps. It was a marked difference from the beginning of the day. It all came together for us there at the end. David, Stefan and I were really quick. We were just a little too far behind at that point. The Acura is the best car I have ever driven. As far as endurance for a race of this length goes, when you're doing well and feeling good, it makes it a lot easier. After completing two stints I felt like I could jump in and do another one."
Stefan Johansson drove the third and sixth stints of the day and said of the Acura ARX-01b, "Overall, the car was good, and we clocked some reasonable times in the end. The second stint was challenging, as I was fighting substantial understeer. The tires started coming in halfway through the run, and the track started gripping up. Overall, there was no major drama; we had a strong car and a good result."
Team owner Duncan Dayton, pleased with the team's finish, commended everyone at Patrón Highcroft Racing. "We're thrilled that we got to the end with no incidents. The guys have been working hard all week and it showed in the Acura's performance and reliability today. Unfortunately, we got caught out on a couple of pit strategies and lost a lap due to a pit violation, but that doesn't diminish the great finish the team achieved. I am proud of the result that we brought home for Patrón in its first race in the American Le Mans Series. | 
