The No. 07 Peugeot took pole for Saturday's 12 Hours of Sebring. Photo credit: Rick Dole

In the first American Le Mans Series race with three prototype classes, LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC, Michelin-shod cars scored pole positions in each for Saturday’s 12 Hours of Sebring at Sebring International Raceway. The top six cars overall rode on Michelin tires.

Peugeot again swept the top two positions overall and in LMP1 with the turbo diesel 908 HDi FAPs. Marc Gene was more than six tenths of a second quicker than Nicolas Minassian. Gene’s fastest lap was 1:45.214, Minassian at 1:45.841. In P2, Marino Franchitti snatched pole position on his debut for Highcroft Racing aboard the Honda Performance Development ARX 01-c, stopping the clocks at 1:47.684. Klaus Graf finished less than a tenth back at 1:47.738 aboard the Cytosport Porsche RS Spyder.

The most intense battle was in the new LMPC category. A three-way fight presented itself between a pair of prototype rookies (but successful veterans in open-wheel racing) and a returning driver to the series. Gunnar Jeannette, back in the ALMS for the first time since 2008, edged Ryan Hunter-Reay and J.R. Hildebrand, each making their ALMS debuts. Jeannette and Hunter-Reay each exchanged the top spot but by the checkers, Jeannette ended with his first career ALMS pole at 1:55.279 to “RHR’s” 1:55.397. Hildebrand was third at 1:55.579.

In GT2, BMW originally scored the pole position with driver Dirk Mueller, but was excluded after the session for failing post-qualifying technical inspection. The BMW failed the stall test.

Michelin was promoted to the pole in class with the Flying Lizard Porsche driven by Joerg Bergmeister. Jaime Melo was fourth fastest in the Risi Ferrari with the two factory Corvettes fifth and sixth, and each will now advance one position from their original spots.