Pagenaud looking forward to Sebring

#6 Muscle Milk Pickett Racing HPD ARX-03a HPD: Lucas Luhr, Klaus Graf, Simon Pagenaud

Photo by: Alexander Trienitz

Last year at Sebring, Simon Pagenaud completed the American 12-hour classic in second place at the wheel of the Highcroft Racing-run HPD. Like his strong record in endurance racing, that remarkable performance against the Audi and Peugeot factory teams didn’t go unnoticed. In the Immediate wake of Peugeot Sport’s decision to withdraw from the sport in January, the Frenchman was offered a seat at Muscle Milk Pickett Racing where he will join two other highly experience drivers: Lucas Luhr and Klaus Graff. The trio will share a HPD ARX-03a, the latest version of a prototype which Simon knows particularly well after having raced it successfully in the American Le Mans Series, including the title in 2010. This year again, the HPD will face stiff opposition from the factory Audis, but the fight for the win at the 60 th anniversary 12 Hours of Sebring (the opening round of the new-look FIA World Endurance Championship) promises to be as close and exciting as ever. Indeed, it’s exactly the sort of challenge in which Simon revels. Immediately after his participation in last weekend’s Rallye de la Vienne in France, he flew out to Florida to try the HPD prototype with which he is targeting another top-three finish.

SIMON SAYS… “The 12 Hours of Sebring is a classic and I always look forward to it. I think this year’s race should be very interesting. My version of the HPD ARX-03a is an evolution of the car with which I came second after a great battle last March. The HPD has emerged as a strong contender in endurance racing. It is extremely reliable and competitive and I am thrilled to be driving for Muscle Milk Pickett Racing. I can’t wait for the action to begin. I think we are in for an exciting weekend.”