Sebring Michelin Preview

MICHELIN AND PANOZ RETURN TO SEBRING SEEKING TO REPEAT GT1 TRIUMPH AT THE FAMED AIRPORT CIRCUIT Michelin Swept Top Three in 12-Hours; Now Looking for 11th Victory

(GREENVILLE, SC) --- Michelin, led by the Panoz GTR-1 of Andy Wallace and David Brabham, captured the top three positions in the 12 Hours of Sebring in March. Michelin and Panoz are returning to the legendary airport raceway seeking Michelin's 11th consecutive race victory in GT1 competition.

Two Michelin-equipped Visteon Panoz Motorsports GTR-1s will be competing in the three-hour contest this Saturday. The Panoz team for the SPOSRTS CAR-sanctioned event will be Andy Wallace and David Brabham the No 4 Panoz GTR-1. SPORTS CAR GT1 points leader, Eric Bernard and Raul Boesel will drive the No. 5 Panoz.

"The 12 Hours was a great victory for Michelin and Panoz but the chance to capture a second victory at Sebring in a single year would really be special," said Herb Johnson," Director of Motorsports, Michelin North America. "As our results show, Michelin tires have provided the Panoz team with the handling and reliability they need to dominate GT1 competition in 1998."

Michelin-equipped Panoz cars have captured seven of 10 GT1 races this year. Michelin-fitted cars have captured the other three races as well.