Zeewolde, the Netherlands, 19 March 2006 - - Yesterday Spyker Squadron participated in the 12 Hours of Sebring (American Le Mans Endurance Series race) with two factory Spyker C8 Spyder GT2Rs, entry numbers 85 (chassis number 046) and 86 (chassis number 097). Both cars completed the race and finished 8th (car 86) and 11th (car 85) in LMGT2 class. The 12 Hours of Sebring is traditionally the season opener for the Le Mans Endurance Series and is America’s most famous endurance race.
The drivers were Peter Kox and Donny Crevels in car 85 and Jeroen Bleekemolen and Mike Hezemans in car 86. This is the strongest driver line-up Spyker has ever presented.
Peter van Erp, Spyker Squadron’s team manager: “Sebring historically is the heaviest race on our calendar and this year was no exception. The track punishes suspension and chassis in a way not comparable to any other track in the world. We ran into some technical difficulties as a consequence and repaired two drive shaft boots on car 86 and replaced a shock absorber and the gear shift cable on car 85. Although time consuming, the repairs were successful and the cars kept on running without any other failures. This was the first time Spyker finished the 12 Hours of Sebring and it has been an excellent preparation for the start of the Le Mans Series, the first race of which will be in Istanbul, Turkey on April 9, 2006, where again we have entered a two car line-up.”