3-17-04 -- For Immediate Release

Lap of Sebring with Jorg Bergmeister

Sebring, Florida - Jorg Bergmeister, driver of the number 23 McKenna/mail2web/Alex Job Racing/Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, takes you for a ride around the 3.7 mile, 17-turn Sebring International Raceway.

Coming to take the green flag you are flat out in sixth gear, entering turn one you brake under the famous Sebring bridge and start looking for the apex, which is almost around the bend.  You apex turn one by the wall, but not too close as it is bumpy there and can easily turn you into the barrier, then back on the gas in fourth gear.  The exit of turn one can be tricky, there is big bump out there as well so you have to be careful. 

The braking point for turn two is where the tarmac changes, get the car slowed and down shift to third gear.  You have to concentrate through turns four and five without sliding the car too much while focusing on maximizing your exit speed for the run through six headed into seven.

Turn seven is the slowest corner on the track, the braking point is treacherous as the pavement changes and can be slippery.  This corner is taken in second gear and the drive through eight and nine is flat for your entry into ten.  Turn ten is taken in third gear if you are on new tires or qualifying, second gear if late in your run.  You have to be careful not to track out too far as you have trouble maximizing your speed through turns 11 and 12. 

Turn 13 is taken in third gear, you track out pretty far and that sets you up for the run through 14 for braking into 15, downshift to third being careful not to get off line.

Le Mans Curve, or turn 16, is the most important on the track as it leads to the long backstretch, the fastest portion of Sebring.  You drive fairly hard into 16 and exit with all four wheels over the curb to maximize your exit speed; it pays off at the end of the straight. 

The braking point for turn 17 is at the end of the cement wall, you are quick on the brakes, turn in while down shifting to third, putting the car right up against the wall.  If you are on a perfect lap you are back to full throttle at the bridge and you are then riding out the bumps to the track out for your run down the front straight.

Sebring is a fun track, but is also challenging and exhausting.  The bumps take their toll on driver and car, throw in the heat and you have a great event that takes a really good car, fit driver and sound team to win.

The race will be televised Saturday, March 20, on Speed TV starting at 10:00 a.m.  Speed will carry the complete race, over 13-hours of coverage.

AJR thanks team sponsors McKenna Porsche, mail2web.com, and partners Mobil 1, Michelin, Puma and ZF Sachs.

For more information or photos, please contact Kyle Chura at chura@aol.com or at (248) 821-0468.