Sebring Notebook: Penalties, Debuts, and IMSA’s 2027 Calendar Preview
Sebring’s Thursday practice saw the No. 99 AO Racing Oreca 07 Gibson back in action after PJ Hyett’s incident with rear repairs and a precautionary gearbox change, while the No. 79 JDC-Miller Oreca received a 60-minute stop-and-hold for unhomologated laser ride-height sensors. A 51-driver field must lap in tonight’s night session to be eligible for darkness. IMSA unveiled the 2027 WeatherTech and Michelin Pilot Challenge calendars, highlighted Lime Rock Park’s expansion, and discussed broader sanctioned testing across Michelin Endurance Cup venues to bolster Balance of Performance data. Debuts and moves include Sennan Fielding in JDC-Miller LMP2 and Cadillac’s Jack Aitken joining WEC with Hertz Team JOTA; Proton Competition’s Porsche 963s have been transferred to collectors. A BoP tweak raises the PPULimitRate to 1.0 kW, potentially altering power recovery. The day wraps with a 90-minute night practice and Friday qualifying, streamed on Peacock and IMSA YouTube.