Action Express Racing Pre-Sebring Report

No. 5 Preview

A perfect race at one of the world's most difficult and demanding circuits is a feat few teams ever experience. For Chevrolet, it had been 50 years since winning an overall victory in North America's longest running endurance competition. However, on March 21, 2015 the Mustang Sampling Chevrolet Corvette Daytona Prototype from Action Express Racing ended the drought for the automotive giant by turning in a near perfect performance, winning the 63rd edition of the twelve hours of Sebring by an entire lap. 

Christian Fittipaldi, Joao Barbosa and Sébastien Bourdais wheeled the black, white and yellow Chevrolet Corvette Daytona Prototype flawlessly around the 3.74-mile, 17-turn circuit, stretching their lead until eventually lapping the second place team. The team led 246 of 340 laps and scored 14 of the available 15 points in the Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup Championship.

This year, Barbosa and Fittipaldi, the defending race and series champions, return to Sebring International Raceway with their sights set on a repeat performance with new endurance co-driver Filipe Albuquerque. While the champions were happy to look back at what had been accomplished last season, they remained focused on the task at hand.

"Sebring is probably the most difficult race of the year for our series," said Fittipaldi. "You have the perfect storm of challenges when you think about the warm temperatures, the age of the track surface and just the beating that both the drivers and the car take for 12 hours.

"The win in the 12 hours of Sebring last year was one of the biggest of my career. Certainly the two overall wins in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and then the 24 hours of spa are up there, but this was a huge win for our team, for Chevrolet, ECR Engines and of course Mustang Sampling in their second race ever with Action Express Racing. But that was last year and we certainly can't sit back and reflect, we have to look forward and be ready to compete harder this year because the competition is stronger than ever."

While the Mustang Sampling Corvette DP was on the track during the IMSA sanctioned test February 25-26 at Sebring International Raceway, one driver was notably absent from the team's lineup.

Defending series champion João Barbosa was on the timing stand recovering from a fractured wrist suffered one-week prior. With his cast removed, the champion feels ready for the 64th running of the twelve hours of Sebring.

I've been working out as much as possible to stay ready, but it'll be different a different challenge," said Barbosa. "I was there for the test and was able to work with my teammates and so on but Sebring is a difficult track to return to from any injury because of the bumps and the heavy physical demand you feel with the high-speed corners. Fortunately, I have great teammates who will do a great job in our Mustang Sampling Chevrolet Corvette DP and the best race team with Action Express Racing."

While the driver lineup in the Mustang Sampling Corvette DP features a change from the winning formula in 2015, team manager Gary Nelson is confident in the three drivers who be seeking a second consecutive victory in the Twelve Hours of Sebring.

"We've got tremendous confidence in our drivers at Action Express Racing," said Nelson. "Christian and Joao have both accomplished a lot the past two seasons, and we're extremely fortunate to have Filipe Albuquerque for the NAEC events this year. He's been a great contributor since the November test at Daytona, and we look for him to continue that at Sebring."  

While the Mustang Sampling Corvette DP wont hit the track until Thursday morning, Mustang Sampling president Ken Thompson will make a guest appearance with Barry Foster on WWTK 730 AM Monday, March 14 at 9:00 a.m.

Christian Fittipaldi will hit the road on Tuesday in Tampa to promote the race. The Brazilian driver will make stops at the Tampa Bay Times, WDAE 620 AM for the Ron & JP Show, FOX 13 and finish the day at WFLA NBC. Fittipaldi will also call into the Barry Foster show on Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m.

João Barbosa will be featured on the Sportscar365's "Double Stint" podcast on Tuesday, March 15.

No. 31 Preview

Entering the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in 2015, Dane Cameron and Eric Curran were still being viewed as newcomers to the prototype class, despite the season not being the first season of competition in IMSA's top-division for either driver. After contending for the 2015 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship through the closing moments of Petit Le Mans, the red and white Whelen Engineering DP is squarely on the radar entering this year's 12-hour battle.

Cameron and Curran will also have Scott Pruett joining them for the 64th installment of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Pruett claimed an overall victory at Sebring in 2014 the California native also scored a class victory (GTO) in 1986. 

The three drivers showed great speed during the two-day test at Sebring International Raceway, leading the first session while finishing second in another session. Following the strong test, two-time Sebring fastest qualifier (GTD-2014, PC-2011) Dane Cameron talked about the race outlook.

"Racing with Scott Pruett as a co-driver is really cool," said Dane Cameron. "Scott is probably the winningest sports car driver in North America and he's a worldwide name when it comes to endurance competition. The experience he brings to the table is really beneficial when we're having a debrief and trying to find a tenth of a second, he's raced so many different cars and for different teams so there's always a different thought process or suggestion and it's usually right. I think for Eric and myself to be able to lean on Scott throughout race weekend will be a major advantage preparing for and competing in this year's race."

Last season, Action Express Racing dominated the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, ultimately winning with the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Corvette DP. However, for the races opening hours, it appeared that there would be a duel between the team cars for the victory. However, the Whelen Engineering Corvette DP lost a wheel following a pit stop, knocking the team from the lead lap and they were never able to recover, settling for a fifth place finish.

"Obviously we had the loose wheel last year and that really cost us a shot at the podium," said Curran. "Throughout 2015 our pit crew became one of, if not the fastest crews on pit lane and that certainly helped us score two victories and compete for the championship. Chad (Gordon) and all of the guys preparing the Whelen Engineering Corvette DP have been flawless and are among the fastest crews in IMSA so with that level of excellence there's no reason we cant win the race this year. 

"Action Express Racing is one of the best teams at setting up a car for the event as evident by last year and at the test we were all fast and comfortable. The first race I ever did for Whelen Engineering was at Sebring in 2007 and I was able to win that first time out. So personally, Sebring is a very special place."

Before arriving at the Sebring International Raceway, Curran will make a stop in Tampa to record an interview with WFTS ABC 28 previewing the race.

The 64th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring gets underway at 10:40 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 19. Follow Action Express Racing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for track updates and tune-in information throughout the event.