I just wrapped up a gorgeous week at Sebring International Raceway, which was host to the famed 12 Hours of Sebring event. I was there working with Dean Neuls, who is driving with the TR3 Lamborghini Super Trofeo team this season.
This was Dean’s first race stateside, and he had been to the circuit earlier this year to test and learn the nuances of the unique Sebring layout and surface. The Lamborghini Super Trofeo field was very competitive with nearly 40 cars, including 12 in Dean’s class. There was a lot of exciting racing and plenty of competition as a result.
Dean was able to qualify third for race two during the back-to-back qualifying sessions for the doubleheader weekend. As a result, Dean was very excited for the two races, despite having never competed at Sebring before. Leading up to the races, we focused quite a bit on not just optimizing driving the car in general but also on racecraft for Sebring itself, which is unique to that track. Things like how to setup a pass specific to the Lamborghini in its nuances, identifying the ideal passing zone opportunities, and how to exploit those areas were among the objectives.
Despite race one not going as well as we had hoped, Dean was able to persevere in race two, and he came away with a top-five result. Between the two races, he had clean finishes, and as a whole, it was a great way to start off the season. We’re anxiously awaiting the next round, which will be at Laguna Seca along with IMSA in a little over a month.
I look forward to working with Dean again at Laguna Seca, a track that has treated me very well in the past. It’s always exciting to reflect on my race wins at that track, both in Lamborghini Super Trofeo and other series.