There was once a time when endurance races like the 12 Hour of Sebring, were all about pace. Teams tried to set a comfortable pace, perhaps 90- percent, while drivers kept a bit of speed in hand to be used only if needed in the final hours.

Those days are long gone. The pace here at Sebring International Raceway, particularly in the GT class, is fast and furious. Five different GT manufacturers have led under green flag conditions in the first half of the race and both Porsches have run as high as second at various stages.

The Risi Competizione Ferrari won the pole, but Aston Martin led the first lap only to soon give way to Corvette and Ferrari. Soon, SRT Viper and BMW found their way to the front, all leading for extended periods as the battle has ebbed and flowed.

How close is the GT battle? While fastest times are typically posted as evening approaches and the track cools, so far, seven of the Michelin fitted Aston Martin, Corvette, Ferrari, BMW and SRT Vipers have set fastest laps between 2 minutes:00.315 seconds and 2minutes:00.996 seconds, –a range of just 0.681 second, or just over one/half of one percent on a 3.74 mile circuit.